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HISTORY 



TOWN OF LEXINGTON, 



MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS, 



FIEST SETTLEMENT TO 1868, 



GENEALOGICAL EEGISTER 



OF LEXINGTON FAMILIES. 



BY CHARLES HUDSON, 



MEMEEK OF THE MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL, THE NEW ENGLAND HISTOKIC-GENEALOGR'AL, AND THE 
AMEBICAN ANTIQUAKIAN SOCIETIES. 



BOSTON: 
WIGGIX & LUNT, PUBLISHERS, 

221 Washington Street. 

1868. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by 

Charles Hudson, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of 'iSiassachusetts. 



PiiEs< OP T. R. Mahvii* & Son. 







INTIIODUCTOHY NOTE. 



The Publishing Committee present the following statement 
concerning this publication, in the hope that the example of 
Lexington may do much towards stimulating sister towns to pre- 
serve their local annals in the same accessible form. 

Several years ago the town purchased the manuscript of this 
work ; Avhich, hoAvever, was left in the author's possession, for 
such revision as might be required. He has, agreeably to his 
engagement with the town, supervised the printing, and made 
valuable additions, particularly to the Genealogical Register. 

In 1867 it was decided to publish the work. Full powers 
were given to the undersigned to contract for the pi-inting and 
binding, to decide what illustrations should be inserted in the 
book, and to make arrangements for offering it for sale when 
completed. 

Being desirous that the book should contain a sufficient num- 
ber of illustrations to render it attractive to the eye, the Com- 
mittee decided, before the printing was begun, that portraits of 
individuals, and views of public buildings and private residences, 
having due reference to the subject-matter of the Histoiy, should 
be bound with the book if provided at private expense. This 
decision was made known to the author, wlio with our approval 
issued a circular, inviting our citizens and their friends to furnish 
such illustrations gratuitously. Many persons, as will be seen, 
have taken pleasure in thus adorning the book. Others, it 
appears, would now be glad to contribute to the same end, if 
sufficient time were still left. We are gratified to learn that the 
author has secured, as an appropriate frontispiece, a portrait of 
the Rev. John Hancock, whose ministi-y in Lexington covered a 
period of more than half a century of the early history of the town. 



iv INTRODUCTORY NOTE. 

Of the illustrations bound with this work, the portraits of Rev. 
'Mi. Hancock, Col. Munroe, and the author were furnished by 
their respective descendants ; and those of Theodore Parker, Rev. 
Dr. and Mrs. Follen, and Rev. Mr. Stetson, by their numerous 
friends resident in the vicinity. The views of dwelling-houses, 
includino- the Lexinaton House, were, except as stated below, 
supplied by their present or late owners ; and those of public 
buildings by citizens' subscriptions. 

In the exercise of the powers given to them, the Committee 
have inserted the following illustrations at the town's expense, 
viz. : a lithographic portrait of Jonathan Hai-rington ; wood 
en "-ravin "-s of the Clarke House, the old Munroe Tavern, the 
Monument, the proposed Monument, and the Battle Scene on 
the 19th of April ; diagrams of Lexington Common, and the Old 
North Bridge at Concord, with their surroundings as they were 
in 1775 ; andyac similes of the autographs of twenty-nine men 
whose names are affixed to public documents which are a part of 
the History. It Avas thought that nothing ought to be omitted 
from the book, which could serve to explain, or invest with addi- 
tional interest, the events narrated. 

After a considerable progress had been made in the print- 
ing, the author apprised us that the amount of matter pi'e- 
pared by him would probably exceed, in print, the number of 
pages he had contemplated ; but that he could not materially 
abridge the History without departing from his original plan, and 
impairing the symmetry and completeness of the work. Much 
interesting matter on the subject of slavery has been omitted. 
But we found that the great length of the manuscript was prin- 
cipally due to the minuteness with which the author had told 
the story of the nineteenth of April, 1775, and set forth the 
causes and consequences of the events recited. The citizens of 
Lexington will not need to be convinced, that on no account 
should such a narrative be abridged in the annals of such a town. 

JOHN C. BLASDEL. 
JONAS GAMMELL. 
JOHN W. HUDSON. 
Lexington, Juxe, 1868. 



PREEACE. 



In preparing the following History, I have labored under the 
embarrassments felt by every one who undertakes to compile the 
annals of a town, arising from the meagre and imperfect charac- 
ter of municipal records. This is particularly true of the records 
of births, deaths, and marriages. There is scarcely a fomily 
whose genealogy can be accurately traced, in our public archives, 
through two generations. There will be omissions of births 
and deaths, or a minute so brief that it is next to impossible to 
determine whether the child born belongs to this fomily or that ; 
or whether the person who died is the father or the son in the 
particular family, or whether he belongs to this family or another 
of the same surname. So of the entry of many marriages, — 
there is nothing to determine whether the parties belong to the 
town where the marriage is recorded or not. 

It is the fortune of those who compile our local histories, and 
especially if they deal with the genealogy of families, to rest 
under the imputation of being inaccurate ; when the fault is in 
the record, or in the absence of all record, rather than in the 
compiler. In fact any person who undertakes to write a local 
history from the records of the town alone, would confer no 
favor upon the public, unless it be to show how defective those 
records are. It is well understood by all those who have had 
experience, that the labor of gleaning from the town or city 
books, constitutes but a small portion of the actual labor to be 
performed. While gleaning from the records, the compiler's 
work is before him ; but when he goes elsewhere to supply 
defects or explain what is recorded, he enters an unex})lored field, 
and many fruitless days must be spent in search of the needed 



vi rilEFACE. 

information. And it is not till he has had experience, that he 
learns where and how to direct his inquiries, and to separate 
facts from fiction. 

In some of our towns, a portion of the records are lost. Lex- 
ington town records are continuous from the first. There is, 
however, one serious defect in the list of marriages. In past 
times the records of deaths and marriages were generally kept by 
the clergymen. Rev. Mr. Hancock, who was a clergyman in 
Lexington more than half a century, was very full and accurate 
in his entries. And while we have his lists of deaths and 
baptisms from 1698 to the time of his death, we have no account 
of his marriages till 1750. He must have kept a full record 
from the first, wdiich is destroyed or lost. This has proved a 
great embarrassment in preparing the genealogy, though many 
of these defects have been supplied from other sources. 

There is also a general defect in records, arising from the 
brevity of the entries. "When an event is recent, and the details 
are fresh in the memory of the people, a concise memorandum 
may apparently answer the purpose. But when the event is for- 
gotten, such a brief entry becomes almost useless. All records 
should be self-explaining ; so that they can be understood at any 
future day. Another defect arises from the fact that reports of 
Committees, appointed to obtain the facts in a given case, are 
not recorded. The record may say that the report is accepted 
and "placed on file." But in the country towns, where they 
have no permanent place to deposit their papers, such reports are 
soon lost or destroyed. 

I do not apply these remarks to Lexington in particular, for I 
find her records better than those of some other towns. But in 
examining town records in various places, I have found the 
defects which I have stated ; and fidelity to the cause of history 
has prompted me to make these statements, in the hope that the 
e-sdl, which every historian has experienced, may be avoided. 
Records are not made for the day or year in which they are 
written, but for posterity. An important historic fact may turn 
on a single line in the record of an obscure town. A name or a 
date, may enable a writer of biography, or a genealogist, to give 
a connected narrative, which would be broken or disjointed, if the 
name or date were omitted in the record. It is an easy thing, in 



PREFACE. vii 

entering the birtli or baptism of a cliikl, to give the name of the 
parent ; or in recording- the deatli of a person, to give the age ; 
or in recording a marriage, to state the residence of the parties, 
or the parents of the bride. A little care in adding these partic- 
idar items, would materially increase the value of our records. 
And in regard to the reports of Committees, they should be 
entered in a book kept for that purpose, and be preserved. 

An embarrassment peculiar to the preparation of this History, 
has arisen from the fact, that for half a century after the first 
settlement of what is now Lexington, no records were kept 
within the place. This territory being a part of Cambridge, 
when an event worthy of notice occurred therein, it passed unre- 
corded, or if it were recorded at Cambridge, there is nothing to 
show whether it occurred at Old Cambridr-e, or at " Cambridge 
Farms." If Lexington had been a separate, independent settle- 
ment, she would have had a common centre, and records of her 
own from the first. The fact that Cambridge Farms were thus 
isolated, and that there was no common centre around which the 
settlers could cluster, induced those who were coming into the 
territory, to locate near some permanent settlement, that they 
might enjoy the advantages of intercourse and association with 
the surrounding towns. And hence the first settlements were 
generally near the borders of Cambridge, Watertown, Woburn 
or Concord. This circumstance would naturally tend to postpone 
a central organization; and even after such an organization was 
effected, their old associatioriS would partially continue, and their 
marriages and baptisms would to some extent be entered in the 
border towns. These things have tended to make the early his- 
tory of the town more meagre than it otherwise would have been. 

But these embarrassments I have labored to overcome by con- 
sulting the records of the neighboring towns, and having recourse 
to the published town Histories, and the Genealogies of other 
families. The files of the Probate Office, the State Archives 
and the County Records have enabled me to supply many defects. 
In the Revolutionary history I have been materirJly aided hy the 
American Ai'chives and Frotliingham's Siege of Boston. I have 
endeavored to give a full and impartial history of the town, and 
an ample Genealogy of the families. How fiir I have succeeded, 
I leave the public to judge. 



viu PREFACE. 

It only remains for me to make my acknowledgments to those 
who liavc kindly favored me w^ith focilities for information. 
iSiy thanks arc due to many individuals within the tOAvn, who 
have furnished me old family papers from which much intelli- 
gence has been derived. Among those, I will mention Col. 
Pln'lip Russell, AVilliam Chandler, Esq., Messrs. Charles Tidd, 
Elias Smith, David Harrington, Bowcn Harrington, Jonas Gam- 
mell, and the late Dea. INlulliken. Nor should I omit the kind- 
ness of Miss ]\Iary ]Merriam, who has ever manifested a strong 
desire to render all possible aid ; and who has furnished valuable 
books and papers bearing upon the subject of the history. Many 
other persons have readily supplied facts relative to the Geneal- 
ogy of their respective families. I must also make my acknowl- 
edgments to Mr. Charles Brown for the loan of a list of deaths, 
covering a period of nearly forty years, kept by his father, from 
which many defects in our record of deaths have been supplied. 
A similar acknowledgment is due to Mrs. H. Pierce, for a list 
of deaths kept by the venerable Jonathan Harrington, nearly up 
to the time of his decease. 

My thanks are due to Albert W. Bryant, Esq., the accommo- 
dating Town Clerk, for a free use of the books and papers in his 
custody, to the Librarians of Harvard College, of the State 
Library, and of the Boston Athenjeum, for facilities rendered in 
consulting authorities. Nor should I neg^lect to mention the 
kindness of Fi-ancis Brown, Esq., of Boston, in lending me a 
large quantity of valuable papers left by his uncle, Edmund 
Munroe^of Boston, which have been of great service ; or the 
readiness with which Henry Clarke, Esq., of Boston, granted 
me the use of several volumes of the Diary of his honored father, 
Rev. Jonas Clarke, kept in an interleaved Almanac, which have 
proved of great value. 

CHARLES HUDSON. 
Lexington, June 1, 1868. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

FROM THE FIRST SETTLEMENT TO THE INCORPORATION AS 

A TOWN. 

Origin of towns, page 17.. Value of town meetings, 20. .Importance of 
town histories, 23. .Character of the Puritans, 24.. Puritan colonics 
compared with others, 29. .Early history of Lexington involved in that 
of Cambridge, 82. .Cambridge designed as the seat of government, 
32. .Cambridge seeks an increase of territory, 33. .Additional land 
granted to Cambridge, 33. .Removal of Rev. Mr. Hooker and his flock, 
33.. The College established, 35. .Cambridge designed as a fortified 
camp, 35. .Shawshine granted to Cambridge, 36. .Early proprietors of 
what is now Lexington, 38.. Early settlers of Cambridge Farms, 39.. 
Their location, 40.. The Farms incorporated as a precinct, 44.. Sub- 
scription for a meetinghouse, 47.. The first tax bill, 48. .Ministerial 
land purchased, 50.. Rev. Mr. Estabrook invited to preach for them, 
50. .The people build him a house, 51. .Mr. Estabrook ordained, 52. . 
His death, 53.. Mr. Hancock settled, 53.. Meeting house further fin- 
ished, 53. .Ammunition and school money asked for, 54. .The Comlnon 
purchased, 55.. The people desire to be incorporated as a town, 56.. 
Voted to build a new meeting house, 57. .Hardships and privations of 
the first settlers, 58. .Prominence of the religious idea, 59.. Military 
titles and military men, 60. 

CHAPTER II. 

FROM THE INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN TO THE CLOSE 
OF THE FRENCH WARS. 

The town incorporated, page 61 . .Its organization, 62. .A pound and stocks 

ordered, 63.. Weight and measures provided, 63. .An appropriation for 

a new meeting house, 63.. Roads laid out, 64. .The first public house, 

64. .Meetinghouse seated, 65. .Reseated, 67. .Ebenezer Hancock settled 

2 



CONTEXTS. 

as colleague with his father, G7..Duty of tythingmen at church, 69.. 
North anil South side, 70. .Representatives to serve for six shillings per 
day, 70. .Bedford incorporated, 71. .Death of Rev. Ebenezer Hancock, 
71.. Death of Rev. John Hancock, 71. .Rev. Jonas Clarke settled, 73.. 
Lincoln incorporated, taking offa portion of Lexington, 74. .Represen- 
tatives to pay to town treasurer all they receive over three shillings per 
day, 7G. .Isaac Stone gives the town a bell, 77. .A belfry erected, 77. . 
A school house built in the centre of the town, 77.. The French wars, 
78. .Expedition to Cuba, 79. .To Louisburg, 79. .Lexington men in the 
French war, SO.. Warning out of town, 80.. Past and present com- 
pared, 83. 



CHAPTER III. 

CIVIL HISTORY FROM 1763 TO 1775. 

Natural expectation of the colonists, page 85. .The clergy in favor of liberty, 
87. .The stamp act, 88. .Rev. Mr. Clarke's instructions to the Represen- 
tatives, 88. .Declaration of rights and resolutions, 92. .A day of prayer 
to be kept, 94. .Resolutions declaratory of their rights, 95. .Represen- 
tative instructed, 96. .Committee of correspondence chosen, 99. .Stamp 
.act repealed, 99. .Importation of tea, 100. .Instruction to representa- 
tive, 102. .People prepare for the contest, 103. .The pervading sentiment 
in the community, 105. 

CHAPTER IV. 

CAUSES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 

Feeling towards the mother country, page 107. .The true issue, 109. .Massa- 
chusetts first to deny Parliament's right to legislate for the colonies, 110 
?. Massachusetts charter annulled, llL.Andros appointed Governor, 
with despotic powers, llL.Andros imprisoned and his government 
overthrown, 112. .Massachusetts charter renewed, 112.. Writs of assis- 
tance granted, 114.. Opposed by Otis, 114. .Opposition to the stamp 
act, 115.. Stamp officer hung in effigy, 116. .A General Congress meet 
in New York, 117. .Parliament urges impost duties, 118.. A ship of 
war sent to Boston, 118. .Citizens impressed to serve on board the 
ship, 119.. The people remonstrate, 119.. Gov. Barnard calls upon the 
Legislature to rescind their resolve denying the power of Parliament 
to tax them, 119.. The Legislature refuse, 119.. The Governor dis- 
solves the Legislature, 119.. The people petition for a new election, 
but the Governor refuses to order one, 120. .Troops arrive from Hall- 
fax, but the people refuse to furnish them quarters or rations, 121.. 
Barnard recalled, 122 . .Convenes the Legislature that they may vote 
his salary, 122.. The Legislature refuse unless the military be with 



CONTENTS. xi 

drawn, 122. .The Legislature adjourn to Cambridge, 122. .The House 
refuse to grant his salary, but ask for his removal, 122.. Barnard suc- 
ceeded by Hutchinson, 123. .Boston appeals to the world, 123. .Boston 
massacre, 123. .Hutchinson requested to remove the troops, and finally 
consents, 124. .Committees of correspondence established, 126. .Hut- 
chinson attempts to make the House admit or disprove the supremacy 
of Parliament over them, 12(j. .Hutchinson's treachery exposed, 126.. 
The East India Company ship tea to Boston, which is thrown into the 
dock, 127. .Massachusetts leads in opposition to the encroachment of 
Parliament, 129. 

CHAPTER V. 

GOVERNOR GAGE'S ADMINISTRATION. 

Passage of the Boston Port Bill, page 133. .Gage appointed Governor, 134 
. .His instruction from Dartmouth, 134.. Gage arrives in Boston, 135 
..The bill goes into operation, 135.. Bells tolled, and a day of fasting 
and prayer appointed, 135.. Boston holds a town meeting, 135.. Two 
other bills passed by Parliament transferring appointments to the Crown 
and changing fundamentally our charter, 136.. Four counties met in 
convention, 137. .Resolutions adopted, 137.. Officers appointed by the 
Crown compelled to resign and jurors refused to be sworn, 137.. Mid- 
dlesex convention's address, 137.. Gage forbids the holding of public 
meetings, 138.. Seizes public powder at Charlestown and fortifies Bos- 
ton Neck, 138. .Gage calls a General Court, 140. .Revokes the call, 141 
..A Provincial Congress organized at Salem, and adjourned to Con- 
cord, 141. .The Provincial Congress recommend an organization of the 
militia, appoint general officers, and committees of supplies and safety, 
142.. They appoint delegates to the Continental Congress, 143.. The 
Provincial Congress publish an address to the people, 147.. Select 
Woi-cester and Concord as depots for supplies, and appoint a day of 
fasting and prayer, 148. .Our fathers not rebels, 149. 

CHAPTER VI. 

THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 

Importance of the events on the 19th of April, page 152.. The policy of 
Gen. Gage, 155.. His expedition to Salem, 156. .Warren's oration, 157 
..Seizure of Ditson, attack upon Hancock's house, and other acts of 
violence, 157.. The second Provincial Congress meet at Concord, and 
adopt rules and regulations for the army, and send messengers to New 
Hampshire, Rhode.Island, and Connecticut, to enlist them in the cause, 
158. .Take measures to prevent a surprise, 159. .Percy sent to Jamaica 
Plains, 159. .The action of the clergy, 160. .The teaching of Rev. Jonas 
Clarke, 161. .Provincial Congress at Concord adjourn, 163.. Design 
to seize Hancock and Adams, 163. .Efforts of the committee of supplies. 



xii CONTENTS. 

165. .Gage sends out officers on the 18th of April, 1775, preparatory to 
his movement upon Concord, 167. .These officers carefully watched, 168 
..They seize several citizens, 168. .Movement of British troops in 
Boston carefully noted, and intelligence sent to Lexington, 169. .Situa- 
tion of the village, 172.. The British troops leave Boston, 174.. Smith 
becomes alarmed, sends Pitcairn forward with the light troops, and 
calls upon Gage for a reinforcement, 175. .They reach Lexington about 
daylight, and find Capt. Parker's men forming upon the Common. 177 
. .They fire upon the Americans, some of whom return the fire, 178. . 
The British move on to Concord, 183. .The Americans retreat over the 
North bridge, 187. .Detachment sent to Col. Barrett's house to destroy 
stores, a part stop to guard the bridge, 187. .The Americans approach 
the bridge and are fired upon and Capt. Davis and Hosmer fall, 190.. 
The fire returned and one British soldier killed, 190.. The British com- 
mence their retreat, 193.. They are pursued by the Americans, 194.. 
The retreat soon becomes a rout, 195.. Smith attempts to rally his 
troops, and is severely Avounded, 196.. Percy sent to sustain Smith, 198 
..Yankee Doodle, 198.. Percy meets Smith's fugitives in Lexington, 
200. 

CHAPTER VII. 

BATTLE OF LEXINGTON, CONTINUED. 

Percy assumes the command, page 203. .Heath and Warren join the Pro- 
vincials, 204. .Percy commences his retreat, 204.. The militia gather at 
West Cambridge, 204.. Zeal of the Danvers men, 205.. Warren par- 
ticularly active, 206.. British barbarity, 206.. Col. Aspinwall's state- 
ment, 208.. The British arrive at Charlestown, 209.. The suffering of 
their troops, 210.. Their loss, 211.. List of the Americans killed and 
wounded, 211. .The influence of the events of that day, 214. .The day 
celebrated in Lexington, 214. .Monument at Lexington, 215.. A Na- 
tional ^lonument contemplated, 218. .Monuments at Concord, Acton, 
West Cambridge, and Danvers, 219. .Middlesex a Monumental County, 
221.. The claim of Concord to the peculiar honors of the day con- 
sidered, 222. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

THE EFFECTS OF THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 

The idea of Independence of slow growth, page 235. .Independence fore- 
seen by Adams, Ilawley, and others, 237. .Bancroft's misapprehension 
on this subject, 237. .Capt. Parker virtually acted under orders, 242, . 
The intelligence of the attack at Lexington spread rapidly, 245. .Its 
effect upon the Colonies, 246. .A vessel sent to England with the intel- 
ligence, 249.. Its effects upon the ministry and the people of Great. 
Britain, 250. 



CONTENTS. xiii 

CHAPTER IX. 

FROM THE COMMENCEMENT TO THE CLOSE OF THE REVO- 
LUTION. 

Capt. Parker's company called to Cambridge on the 6th of May and on the 
17th of June, 1775, page 254. .By-laws of the company, 255. .Efforts of 
Lexington to raise her quota of men, 256. .A Pledge signed by promi- 
nent citizens, 257.. The effort to frame a Constitution, the views of 
Lexington on the subject, 259.. A Constitution submitted and objected 
to by Lexington, 262.. Prices of articles during the Revolution, 265.. 
Another Constitution framed, and adopted by Lexington, 267.. Depre- 
ciation of the currency, 268. .Efforts of Lexington to raise her quota of 
men, 273. .Instructions to her representative, 275. 

CHAPTER X. I 

FROM THE PEACE OF 1783 TO THE YEAR 1830. 

Population in 1783, page 278.. Shay's rebellion, 279.. A new meeting 
house built, 281. .Jay's Treaty, 282. .Death of Rev. Mr. Clarke, 283. . 
Rev. Mr. Williams settled, 284. .Green's oration, 284.. Mr. Williams 
dismissed, 284.. The Great Bridge rebuilt, 284.. The 4th of July, 1814, 
celebrated, 285. .Reception of Lafayette, and Mr. Phinney's address, 
286. .Phinney's History of Lexington Battle, 288.. Adams's letter in 
defence of Acton, 289. .Stetson's oration, 290. 

CHAPTER XI. 

FROM THE YEAR 1830 TO 1867. 

The 19th of April celebrated by the town, page 291.. The remains of the 
martyrs removed, 292.. The Ministerial Fund, controversy concerning, 
294.. Kossuth visits Lexington, 299.. Death of Jonathan Harrington, 
the last survivor of the Battle of Lexington, 301. .The breaking out of 
the Rebellion, 305. .Lexington sends her quota of men, 306.. Funeral 
solemnities on the death of President Lincoln, 309. .Character of Abra- 
ham Lincoln, 311. 

CHAPTER XII. • 

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY, FROM 1692 TO THE DEATH OF THE 
REV. MR. HANCOCK. 

Incorporation of the Precinct, page 315. .Establishment of the ministry, 
316.. The gathering of the church and the ordination of their first 
minister, 316. .Death of Mr. Estabrook, 318.. The call and settlement 



xiv CONTENTS. 

of Mr. Hancock, 320.. The settlement and death of Rev. Ebenezer 
Hancock, 320. .Character of Rev. John Hancock, 321.. He was remark- 
able for his industry, 322.. His social qualities, 323. .Distinguished for 
his wisdom, 32.3.. His death, 327.. His writings, 328. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY, FROM THE SETTLEMENT TO THE 
DEATH OF REV. MR. CLARKE. 

Call and settlement of Rev, Jonas Clarke, page 329.. Change of hymn 
books, 331.. Character of Mr. Clarke, 334.. His industry, 336.. Mr. 
Clarke a statesman as well as a divine, 337. .His publications, 337.. 
His Election Sermon, 339.. Sermon before the Ancient and Honorable 
Artillery Company, 341. .Mr. Hancock and Mr. Clarke compared, 343. 



CHAPTEE XIV. 

ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS, FROM THE DEATH OF MR, CLARKE 
TO THE PRESENT DAY. 

Mr, Williams invited to become pastor and accepts, page 346.. His dis- 
mission, 346. .Settlement and dismission of Mr. Briggs, 347. .Ministry 
of Mr. Swett, 348. .Settlement and death of Mr, Whitman, 349.. 
Ministry of Mr. Barrett, 352. .Ministry of Mr, Staples, 352. .Ministry 
of Mr. Livermore, 353. .Settlement of Mr, Westcott, 356.. The Second 
Congregational Society, 356. .Dr, Follen employed, 357.. He was lost 
in the steamer Lexington, on Long Island Sound, 357. .Notice of his 
life and character, 358. .Ministry of Mr, Dorr, 360. .Ministry of Mr. 
Bridge, 361.. Union Society, and employment of Mr. Stowe, 361.. The 
Baptist Society and its clergymen, 362. .The Universalist Society and 
their clergymen, 363.. The Roman Catholics, 363.. The Orthodox 
meeting house, 363. 

CHAPTER XV. 

EDUCATION. 

Interest felt in education by our fathers, page 364. .A school house built 
and schools established, 365,. A grammar school, 365. .Sometimes a 
moving school, 366.. Second school house built, 367. .Appropriations 
for schools, 867.. Other houses erected, 367.. A report in relation to 
the school system, 368.. School law of 1827, 368.. Effect of private 
upon public schools, 369, .Lexington Academy, 370.. Board of Educa- 
tion created, 371.. Normal School in Lexington, 372.. School appro- 
priations, 374, .Dr. Lewis's school for Young Ladies, 375. 



CONTENTS. XV 

CHAPTER XVI. 

MILITARY AFFAIRS. 

No early record of the militarv, page 377. .OfBcers mentioned, 377. .Men 
who served in the Indian and French wars, 378.. List of Capt. Par- 
ker's company in 1775, 383.. Men called to Cambridge, 385.. Men who 
served in the Revolution, 386.. War a necessary evil, 393. .Officers 
and soldiers in service in the Rebellion, 396. 

CHAPTER XVII. 

MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 

List of Selectmen, page 402. .School Committees, 404. .Assessors, 405.. 
Town Clerks, 406.. Town Treasurers, 407. .Committees of Correspon- 
dence, 407. .Representatives, 408. .Senators and Councillors, 408. .Jus- 
tices of the Peace, 409. .Graduates from Colleges, 409. 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 

Situation of Lexington, page 413. .Its soil and productions, 414. .The Cen- 
tre Village, 414.. Belfry Hill, 416. .Merriam's Hill, 416.. Hancock 
Height, 417.. Davis's Hill, 418..Fiske Hill, 419. .Loring's Hill, 419.. 
Mount Independence, 420. .Sanitary condition of Lexington, 421.. 
Old and New Style, 422. .The origin of the name of the town, 423. . 
Public buildings, 424.. The churches, 424.. The Town Hall, 425.. 
Some of the prominent dwellings, 426.. The population of the town at 
different periods, 437.. Its valuation at ditferent periods, 440.. Slavery 
in Massachusetts and in Lexington, 440.. Roads, 441.. The Great 
Bridge, 442. .Manufactures, 442.. Peat, 443.. Paint Mine, 443.. Names 
of the town streets, 444. 



INDEX or NAMES. 



« 
GENEALOGICAL REGISTER OF LEXINGTON FAMILIES. 



INDEX TO THE ENGRAVINGS. 



PORTRAIT OF REV. JOHJT HANCOCK, .to face title page. 

DIAGRAM OF LEXINGTON COMMON EST 1775, to face page 173 

BATTLE SCENE ON LEXINGTON COMMON IN 1775, . . .to face page 182 

DIAGRAM OF CONCORD VILLAGE, &c page 191 

LEXINGTON MONUMENT, to face page 217 

CONTEMPLATED MONUMENT, to face page 219 

FOLLEN CHURCH AND RESIDENCE OP DR. FOLLEN, . . .to face page 357 

PORTRAIT OF DR. FOLLEN, to face page 359 

PORTRAIT OF MRS. FOLLEN, to face page 360 

DR. LEWIS'S LATE FEMALE SEMINARY, to face page 375 

LEXINGTON RAILROAD STATION HOUSE page 415 

CHURCH OF THE FIRST PARISH to face page 424 

MERRIAM HOUSE page 420 

LATE RESIDENCE OF CHARLES O. WHITMORE, Esq. . . .to face page 427 

SUMMER RESIDENCE OF F. B. HAYES, Esq to face page 428 

CLARKE HOUSE, to face page 430 

RESIDENCE OF MR. WILLIAM A. T0^\T;R, to face page 432 

RESIDENCE OF MR. CHARLES TIDD, page 433 

COTTAGE OF MR. LUKE C. CHILDS page 434 

RESIDENCE OF MR. WARREN DUREN, page 435 

RESIDENCE OF MR. CHARLES HUDSON, page 436 

liN THE GENEALOGY. 

PORTRAIT OF JONATHAN HARRINGTON to face page 96 

BUMMER RESIDENCE OF MRS. MARIA CARY, to face page 102 

PORTRAIT OF MR. CHARLES HUDSON, to face page 109 

PORTRAIT OF COLONEL WILLIAM MUNROE to face page 158 

OLD MUNROE TAVERN to face page 161 

OLD PARKER HOUSE page 176 

PORTRAIT OF REV. THEODORE PARKER, to face page 1 76 

RISIDENCE OF THE LATE MR. STEPHEN ROBBHSTS, . . .to face page 201 

RESIDENCE OF THE LATE MR. ELI ROBBINS, page 202 

PORTRAIT OF REV. CALEB STETSON, to face page 234 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 



CHAPTER I. 

FROM THE FIRST SETTLEMENT TO THE INCORPORATION 

AS A TOWN. 

The Origin of Towns, and Value of Town-Meetings — Character of the early 
Settlers of the Province — Puritan Colonies compared with Others — History 
of Lexington involved in that of Cambridge — The People desire an Increase 
of Territory — Removal of Rev. Mr. Hooker and his Flock — Shawshine 
granted to Cambridge — Settlement of Cambridge Farms — Incorporated as 
a Precinct — Erection of a Meeting-House — The Subscribers' Names — The 
First Tax Bill — Ministerial Land Purchased — Mr. Estabrook called as their 
Minister — A House built for Mr. Estabrook — Mr. Estabrook's Ordination 
and Death — Mr. Hancock settled — Additional Seats in the Meeting 
provided — Ammunition and School Money asked for — The Common 
purchased — The Precinct petition to be made a Town — Voted to build a 
new Meeting-House — Hardships and Privations of the First Settlers — The 
Prominence of the Religious Idea — Military Titles and Military Men. 

The object of history is to present a picture of the past, so 
that we may be stimulated to imitate the virtues and shun the 
vices of those who have gone before us. But as the events 
which engage our attention are, in a great degree, the results of 
human actions, we can never understand the philosophy of history 
without ascertaining the characters and the motives of the prin- 
cipal actors in the scenes narrated. 

As we shall speak of the value and importance of the history 
of towns, it may be desirable to understand the rise of these little 
municipalities, which had their origin in Massachusetts ; and 
which have extended, with some modifications, over a large 
section of our country. Towns, in the present acceptation of 
the term, were not established at once, but grew up gradually, 
out of the wants of the people. As the Charter vested all power 
3 



18 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

in the General Court, these plantations or towns could have no 
powers, except "vvhat were expressly granted them by the Court. 
The Puritans came to this country to enjoy religious privileges, 
and hence they would naturally settle compactly, so that they 
could easily convene for public worship, and also be able to sup- 
port their schools. As all the land was owned by the Colony, 
no individual or company could lawfully hold any portion of it, 
except by a gi-ant from the General Court. Such grants were 
freely made to companies, and were denominnted j^lantations, or 
toioislups. They were described by boundaries more or less 
specific, and were generally designated by some name. 

But these towns had no powers beyond that of holding lands, 
on certain specific conditions, w^hich usually included that of 
supporting a minister, and maintaining public worship. As the 
labors and duties of the General Court multiplied, they soon 
found it necessary, or at least convenient, to devolve certain 
duties upon the towns. And, as might be expected, situated as 
they were, in a wilderness, surrounded by savages on whose 
fricndsliip they could hardly rely, they first required these town- 
ships to do something for self-defence. As early as 1630, the 
General Coiu-t made it the duty of the towns to see that all their 
able-bodied men were supplied with fire-arms ; and where any 
person, by i*eason of poverty, could not supply himself, arms 
were to be furnished by the towns. In 1634, towns were 
•]-equired to maintain a watch of two men by night, and also to 
provide, at their own expense, a place for the safe-keeping of 
arms and ammunition ; and to see that all taxes were projjerly 
apportioned on the people. They were also empowered, when 
applied to, either by the employer or the employee, to fix the 
wages of labor. In 1635, towns were requu'ed to provide 
standard weights and measures ; and, the year following, they 
were empowered to decide upon the location of houses within 
their respective limits, and to make certain by-laws in relation to 
their own affairs, subject to the revision of the Com-t, and to 
elect certain officers, such as constables and surveyors of high- 
ways. In 1637, towns were authorized to restrain swine from 
running at large within their limits, and to nominate to the Court 
suitable persons to sell wine and strong water. In 1639, they 
were empowered to erect posts, in some public place, on which 



TO ITS INCORPORATION AS A TOWN. 19 

tlie intentions of marriage might be lawfully posted, in case they 
had no public lecture ; and were required to make returns to the 
Court of all the births, deaths, and marriages. The office of 
Selectman, which became one of the most important in the 
towns, grew up like the towns themselves, from small beginnings. 
In 1639 it was provided by the Court that towns might choose 
two or three men to lay out highways ; in 1642 they were spoken 
of as " selected townsmen," and as men selected to manage the 
prudential affairs; and in 1647 as "selectmen." In 1641, the 
selectmen of towns were fully authorized to lay out town ways 
and erect towm bounds ; and in 1646, towns were required to 
report to the General Court the names of all idle and unprofitable 
persons within the same, and to perambulate their town lines once 
in three years. 

In this way the General Court, from time to time, as the case 
seemed to reqiure, enlarged the duties and privileges of towns, 
and provided, somewhat in detail, for the number and duties of 
town officers. The manner in which they should hold their 
elections, has been fuUy defined by statute. Towns are made 
municipal corporations, subject to the laws of the State ; and as 
their duties, obligations and liabilities, as well as their rights and 
privileges, are the result of long experience, we might naturally 
conclude that such munici2:)alities are founded in wisdom, and 
adapted to the wants of the people. And so indeed they have 
proved. In all our past history, in peace and in war, we have 
foimd these organizations exactly suited to the condition, wants 
and genius of our people. In addition to all the municipal 
duties and privileges, the towns had all the duties and preroga- 
tives of parishes. The one, in a good degree, included the 
other. Towns were, in the absence of other provisions, parishes, 
though parishes were not always towns. The duties devolved 
upon towns, and the powers exercised by town officers, especially 
by the " townsmen," or selectmen, were greater in the early days 
of our history than they are at present. 

History, to be instructive, must not only narrate events, but 
state the causes which produced them. Our stock of wisdom is 
not materially increased by being told that an event transpired ; 
but when we are made acquainted with the causes which brought 
it about, we have acquired valuable information ; and, from this 



20 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

knowledge of the pcast, we can reason with tolerable certainty to 
the future. History, therefore, is valuable very much as it 
presents the manners and customs of the people, the spirit of the 
age, the principles which prevailed, and the antecedents of 
events. The nearer the historian comes to the people, the source 
of all power, the more likely he will be to give us the true 
pliilosophy of history. Town histories, which are in demand at 
this day, are valuable for this very reason i They treat of events 
comparatively unimportant ; but in gleaning these minute facts, 
the writer comes near the actors, and walks, as it were, in the 
midst of society in the age in which the incidents occurred ; and 
so imbibes their sentiments, and becomes familiar with the 
character of the people, the motives and springs of action 
which were in play, and the genius of the age of which he 
writes. 

Primary assembhes, from whose records the town historian 
must of necessity obtain much of his information, exliibit the 
real condition and wants of the people more perfectly than any 
other. As the character of an individual can be best learned by 
observing his private walks, and noting his daily conduct, so the 
genius and spirit, the virtues and infirmities of a people are best 
learned by the transactions of small bodies of men in their 
primary meetings. It is there that their true characters stand 
out in full view. The history which reveals the actions and 
feelings of a town, furnishes more reliable information than can 
be obtained from the history of a State. A town meeting is a 
surer exponent of the will of the people, than a legislative 
assembly, whether State or National. 

In a free country like ours, the wants and wishes of the 
masses, then: deep yearnings, and the great throbbings of the 
public heart, will show themselves in primary assembhes, long 
before they are perceived in State Legislatures or in Congress ; 
and when towns speak in unison, their voice must ultimately be 
heard and heeded by the State. As all reforms begin with the ' 
people, knowing what towns have done, we can judge what the 
State must do. 

Town meetings in the early days of our history, were more 
important than they are at the present day. They were then 
the great forum where every great question was discussed and 



TO ITS INCORPORATION AS A TOWN. 21 

settled. Town meeting's were regarded as all-important by our 
fathers. Every thing they held dear as Christians or as citizens, 
was freely discussed and passed upon in these meetings. The 
building of meeting-houses, the settling of ministers, and even 
the seating of the congregation, and the leading of the singers, 
were subjects on which the towns acted. The ordinary powers 
of tOAvns at tliis day,' such as the building school-houses, and 
providing for schools, the laying out and maintaining highways, 
and the support of the poor, were exercised by our fathers. But 
they went much farther. The raising and equipping of military 
companies, at times, were exercised by towns. Nor did their 
jurisdiction stop here. Every political question, however broad, 
whether it related to the town, province, or nation, was deemed 
by them a proper theme for town action ; and our town records 
abound with reports of committees and resolutions passed, which 
are fraught with Avisdom and patriotism. 

The American Revolution was inaugurated in these primary 
assemblies ; and the history of that great political movement 
may be read in the resolutions and acts of the New England 
towns. It was in these meetings that the great questions were 
debated, the first steps taken, and the solemn pledges given. 
It was there that the masses of the people were instructed, their 
rights defined, and their duties pointed out. It was there that 
the fires of patriotism were kindled, and the public heart 
warmed, and the people prepared for the great crisis which was 
before them. The importance of these primary gatherings at 
that day, can hardly be overrated. 

In the darkest days of the period immediately preceding the 
breaking out of hostilities, when the Royal Governor had 
prorogued the Legislatm-e, and refused to order a new election, 
thus leaving us without a government ; when an armed force 
occupied the town of Boston to overawe the patriots, and the 
people had no organized medium . of communication with each 
other — that master-spirit of liberty, SjVIMUEL Ad aims, who did 
more than any other man to organize the Revolution, called 
upon the good people of Boston to assemble in town meeting to 
consult upon all they held dear as citizens. It was in a Boston 
town meeting that Committees of Correspondence were suggested 
and organized ; and it was in pursuance of this proposed organ- 



22 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

ization, that the towns throughout the Province held their public 
meetings, at which Committees of Correspondence were chosen, 
patriotic resolutions passed, and mutual pledges interchanged, 
which produced unity of action, created and embodied public 
sentiment, and so prepared the people for the impending 
struggle. 

No one instrument contributed more to< warm the patriot heart 
or nerve the patriot arm, than these primary meetings of the 
people. Their effect was felt and acknowledged, not only in the 
Massachusetts, but in the other Colonies. The influence they 
exerted was so great and controlling, that the British ministry 
became alarmed, and Parliament passed a solemn Act forbidding 
all toAvn meetings tlu-oughout the Province, except the Annual 
JVIeetino- for the choice of town officers. But such was the 
devotion of the people to these primary meetings, that in the 
interior they paid no regard to the law, and, in the larger towns, 
near the headquarters of the Royal Governor, they evaded it by 
adjourning the Annual Meeting from time to time, so that they 
miijht be prepared, almost any day, to hold a legal meeting to 
deliberate upon public affairs, and adopt measures for the public 
safety. Regarding the privilege of assembling for deliberation 
all-important, our fathers actually made the prohibition of town 
meetings, one of the prominent charges against Great Britain, 
and urged it among other inflictions as a reason for resorting to 
arms. If there is any one thing which has given Faneuil Hall 
its njotoriety, and secured to it the glorious appellation of " The 
Cradle of Liberty," it is the fact that witliin its walls the patriots 
of Boston held their town meetings, and adopted measures which 
roused the American people, and shook the kingdom of Great 
Britain to its very centre. 

The organization of townships has exerted a controlling 
influence upon the New England character. In these little 
democracies the people meet together on the ground of perfect 
equality, to transact their own business in their own way. The 
town meetings serve as schools in which the multitudes are 
trained for the discharge of higher duties in the county. State, 
and nation. Most of our public men who have filled and 
adorned the high places in the State and nation, have received 
some of then- fu'st lessons in the mode of doing business, in our 



TO irS INCORrORATIOX AS A TOWN. 23 

primary meetings, and in the offices to which our town organiza- 
tions have given rise. Let no one, then, despise these little 
gatherings of the people, which have been fraught with so many 
blessings. 

The town historian, therefore, in wading thi-ough the records 
of these meetings, cannot fail to perceive the feelings of the 
people, and drink in the spu'it of the age at its fountain. Next 
to the fire-side, which we are hardly at liberty to invade, the 
primary meetings of the people give us the clearest insight into 
the motives, wants and feejings of the masses of men. Muni- 
cipal records furnish a sure index to the character of a town and 
its principal inhabitants. If the people are peaceable, orderly, 
and law-abiding, these characteristics may be discovered on the 
local record ; and if the contrary traits pervade the community, 
the fact can be discovered by the careful observer. The town 
record is a sort of mirror which reflects the moral and political 
features of the people ; and whoever visits this picture-gallery, 
and studies the paintings carefully, will be able to delineate the 
features of the whole group. 

Town histories, if faithfully written, will give us the best 
pictures of real life, and the best insight into the characters of 
men. They also serve to collect scattered and perishing 
materials, which would othei'wise be lost. And by hearing the 
ti-aditions of the eldei'ly people, the local historian will glean 
information which the more public annalist could not obtain ; 
and by standing side by side with the narrator, he can sift this 
valuable, though sometunes uncertain species of evidence, and 
so elicit facts which may prove of great importance. Even in 
cases where the municipal historian finds no facts of importance, 
he has rendered a public service by showing that the field is 
barren, and so saving others from a fruitless search. He has 
also, as a general thing, more time to trace effects to their remote 
causes, and so present a more faithful view of the connection 
between the past and the present, than the general historian 
can do. 

The history of every people or nation bears the impress not 
only of the master minds of that generation, but of the charac- 
teristics of the first founders of the State. Every Colony which 
springs up in any part of the world, wull, for many generations 



24 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

reflect in a greater or less degree the character of the original 
emigrants. Young communities, like young persons, are pecu- 
liarly susceptible of impressions, and early influences brought to 
bear upon them, are likely to mould their characters, and fashion, 
in no small degi-ee, their institutions. It becomes important, 
then, in every history, to recur to the origin of the community 
whose annals are presented, that we may see, in a proper light, 
the character of the events recorded, and the causes from which 
they spring. 

Though towns are small communities, the same principles 
will apply to them. The object of a town history is not merely 
to collect and preserve a record of the events which have 
transpu-ed from time to time, but to glance even at the remote 
causes, present the character of the inhabitants, and the spirit 
of the age in Avhicli they lived. All our early New England 
towns were settled by the Puritans — a class of men of marked 
characters, decided opinions, and fixed purposes. The trying 
ordeal of persecution through which they had passed in Great 
Britain, had developed the sterner qualities of their characters, 
and prepared them for the arduous task of subduing a wilderness 
and converting it into a fruitful field. They were men inured 
to hardsliips, and, being trained in the school of adversity, were 
prepared to do and to dare. Imbibing the spirit of the Refor- 
mation, they had learned to examine and judge for themselves. 
The Catholic bigotry of Maiy, and the Protestant intolerance of 
Elizabeth, served to confirm their faith, increase their zeal, and 
purify their morals. Nor was the political state of the kingdom 
less adapted to the development of then- political principles. 
They had seen the same tyranny in the State, that they had 
witnessed in the Church ; and Monarchy and Episcopacy were 
equally abhorrent to their feelings. In fact the union of Church 
and State, brought the intolerance of the one to bear upon them 
through the enactments of- the other, so that the Puritans were 
the victims of both civil and religious persecution. Tliis two- 
fold trial implanted in then- minds a strong aversion to the 
Established Church and the hereditary monarchy of their native 
land. Rather than submit to the intolerance of the one, or the 
oppression of the oth'er, they voluntarily exiled themselves from 
the land of their birth, the ties of kindred and the endearments 



TO ITS INCORPORATION AS A TOWN. 25 

of home, to seek a peaceful resting-place in an inhospitable 
wilderness. The same fortitude which brought them to this 
country, would not degenerate under the trials and privations 
they were called to suffer after their arrival. 

And though the persecutions they endured in the land of their 
birth, and the difficulties they encountered in the land of their 
adoption, Avould natiu-ally give them a stern, inflexible character, 
there was behind all this experience, a firm, unwavering faith in 
the righteousness of their cause, wliich gave a definiteness of 
object, and a persistence of purpose, which nothing could shake. 
The great idea with them was the religious idea. They came to 
this country that they might worship God according to the 
dictates of their own consciences. And, though they were not 
political adventurers, seeking a retreat from the old world in 
order to build up a mighty empire in the new, yet their own 
good sense taught them that they could hardly erect religious 
institutions mthout a civil government to protect them. But, 
whatever might have been their original specidations , when they 
were called to view the subject practically, they soon saw that a 
church and a commonwealth were so essential to each other, that 
they could not enjoy the one unmolested without the protecting 
arm of the other. They accordingly had incorporated into their 
Charter a provision authorizing them " to make laws and ordi- 
nances for the good and welfare of said company, and for the 
government and ordering of the said lands and plantation, and 
the people inhabiting and to inhabit the same, as to them, from 
time to time, shall be thought meet, so as such laAvs and ordi- 
nances be not repugnant to the laws and statutes of the realm of 
England." 

The free and undisturbed worship of God, which was the 
primary object which brought them to these shores, was soon 
associated with free civil institutions ; so that we may say, in 
fact, that their great object was to establish a holy religion which 
should bring its solemn sanctions to bear upon the Common- 
wealth ; and a free Commonwealth, based upon the broad 
principles of religion — a Commonwealth where Christ should 
be the acknowledged Head of the Church, and his Gospel the 
fundamental law of the realm. In all their labors and efforts, 
this was the great object at which they aimed. In prosperity, 
4 



26 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

this was the end of their rejoicing, and in adversity, this Avas 
tlieir main support. A- colony more orderly and moral, more 
devout and self-sacrificing, never settled in any part of the globe. 
AVith an object at once grand and glorious before them, and with 
a trust in Divine Providence, which subdued both doubt and 
fear, they Avere prepared to meet any trial, encounter any 
obstacle, and endure any suffering, which beset their path. 
Such Avas the object of our Puritan fathers, and such the stead- 
fastness with Avhich they pursued theu* end. 

We do not, however, asci'ibe immaculate purity to them, or 
maintain that they were free from infirmities or faidts. They 
were men of like passions with others ; and because they Avere 
in advance of the age in Avhich they lived, Ave must not look for 
absolute perfection, and expect that, because they abounded in 
the cardinal Autues, they Avould be free from every defect of 
character. Their defects Avere such as grow out of the excess of 
virtuous princijDles. Their religion was of a rigid and austere 
type, and the strength of their faith hardly permitted them to 
tolerate a dissent from their creed. They Avere imbued with the 
spirit of the age ; and the persecutions through aa liich they had 
passed in then- natiAC country, had the effect upon them that 
persecutions generally have, to confirm their faith rather than 
increase their charity. Though they had dissented from the 
Church of Rome, and could not admit the infallibility of the 
Roman Pontiff, such Avas the strength of then- faith that they 
cherished the persuasion that sincere Christians Avould not be 
permitted to wander materially from the true faith. With such 
sentiments and feelings, they* would naturally look upon heretics 
as willfully blind, and as enemies, not only of the great object 
they had in view, but of the cause of Him to Avhom they had 
consecrated themseh^es. This conviction would, of course, lead 
them to guard, Avith jealous care, the creed they professed, and 
to visit AA'ith their displeasure, those avIio dissented from their 
faith, or preached w4iat they regarded as " another gospel." 

They lived under AA'hat may be denominated the Monarchy of 
JReligion. Their fiimiliarity Avith the JcAA'ish Scriptures, in 
Avhich the Almighty is presented in the stern character of a 
Ivuler or a Judge, more frequently than in the milder character 
of a Father, naturally inclined them to dAvell upon the sterner 



TO ITS INCORPORATION AS A TOWN. 27 

attributes of the Deity, and draw moral instruction from divine 
sovereignty rather than from divine compassion, and to elevate 
the. attribute of justice at the expense of that of mercy. But 
they have the apology that if they erred in this respect, they 
erred with the age in which they lived, and reflected in a milder 
form the severe features of rehgion, as it was then understood. 
We may smile at their austerities, and censure their intolerance, 
but if we had lived in that age of the world, we should, 
undoubtedly, have imbibed theu' spirit. They were strict, and 
rigid, and, if you please, superstitious ; but these defects of 
character were only the vigorous growth of that abiding faith and 
trust in the providence of God, which was requisite to fit them 
for the great and glorious enterprise in which they had embarked. 
And while we cannot justify their persecution of the Baptists 
and Quakers, and other dissenting sects which arose among 
them, there are circumstances which go to extenuate these faults. 
They came to the country that they might enjoy their religioir in 
peace. For this object they had encountered trials and dangers ; 
to this end they had labored and toiled, and submitted to every 
privation. And after they had, by great personal sacrifices, 
established religious institutions according to their OAvn notions 
of right, and hoped to enjoy, unmolested, the free and full 
advantages of unity of faith, and simplicity and order in 
worsliip, they found their quiet molested by what they regarded 
as intruders and disturbers of the peace. It was not on account 
of their religious tenets alone, that the Puritans banished them 
from their jurisdiction. These sects manifested their contempt 
for civil authority, and a portion of them opposed even defensive 
war, which the Puritans deemed essential to their very existence, 
situated as they were among hostile Indian tribes. This led our 
fathers to believe that the safety of the State would be endan- 
gered by the presence of these men, who were active in their 
efforts to disseminate their views. These facts, though they do 
not justify, certainly go far to extenuate the course of the 
Puritans ; and while our sympathy for the persecuted naturally 
leads us to espouse their cause, we should not shut our eyes to 
the provocations which were frequently offered to the severe 
treatment they received. 



28 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

Viewed impartially, there is much in the Puritan character to 
admire. Their unwavering trust in Divine Providence, their self- 
sacrificing spirit, their inflexible integi'ity, their devotion to civil 
and religious freedom, founded on broad principles, and regulated 
by law, their desire to educate the rising generation, so that they 
might become good citizens and exemplary Christians, their zeal 
in the great enterprise in which they were engaged, their 
readiness to endure privations and to face dangers, and their 
persevering fortitude under all circumstances — these, and 
qualities such as these, must commend them to the respect and 
admiration of mankind. Men more genial in their manners or 
pliant in their character, more yielding in their dispositions or 
easy in their virtue, with a faith less firm, or a will less 
persistent, may be more agreeable and popular in fashionable 
circles, and their society may be more eagerly sought in ordinary 
times, but in days of painful anxiety and peril, we instinct- 
ively seek counsel of men of confirmed faith and inflexible 
principles, and flee for support and protection to men of persist- 
ent purpose and unconquerable will. So our stern Puritan 
ancestors belong to the very class of men on wliich the commu- 
nity will always lean in an emergency. 

The Puritans were raised up by Providence to accomplish a 
great work, and to mark an important era in the world's progress ; 
and the stei'n qualities which they possessed, were the necessary 
qualifications to fit them for the task assigned them. Had they 
been a mild and timorous race, gentle and yielding in their 
manners, wavering in their faith, and compromising in their 
principles ; or had they been a mere band of adventurers, seek- 
ing then- fortunes, or a few lords with a set of serfs in their train, 
they could never have accomplished the herculean task of 
subduing the hostile savage tribes, clearing up dense forests, and 
covering the country -\\dth prosperous towns and thriving villages. 
And what is more important to us and to the country, they could 
never have built up those civil, literary and religious institutions, 
which have been the pride of this country and the admiration of 
the civilized Avorld. 

To the Puritans we are indebted for most of the blessings we 
enjoy. The impress of their principles is seen and felt in every 
thing around us. The moral and religious tone of the New 



TO ITS INCORPORATION AS A TOWN. 29 

England people, their sense of justice and love of order, and 
their devotion to liberty and the rights of men, are but the reflex 
of ancestral virtues. We are hardly aware of the numerous 
ways in which Puritan principles have affected our characters, 
and shaped our destiny as a people. Their modes of faith, their 
habits of industry, their reverence for law and order, the 
equality between man and man, — all these have had their 
influence upon us, and have tended to make us the energetic and 
persevering, the thi-ifty and prosperous people we are. Many of 
our institutions have grown as of necessity from their religious 
notions. Their love of public worship induced them to settle 
near each other, so that they could conveniently assemble 
together and enjoy church privileges. This enabled them to 
erect meeting houses and support schools, which could not have 
been done if the population had been sparse. This, also, gave 
rise to that system of town organization, which is one of the 
distinctive features of the Puritan settlements, and which has 
done more to improve and elevate the people than any other 
political institution. By assembling together in town meetings, 
where all freemen met on a level, and where every subject, 
whether secular or religious, was freely discussed, the whole 
people were made acquainted with each other, learned the policy 
of the community, and the mode of transacting public business. 
Here they provided for the support of public worship, for the 
maintenance of their schools, for the laying out of their highways, 
supporting then* poor, and regulating their internal police. 
Here, too, were discussed those great principles of civil and 
political rights wliich have made us an independent and pros- 
perous nation. 

If we were to compare the Puritan Colonies with those settled 
by a different class of people, we should see at once the effects 
of Puritan principles. The Colonists who settled in Virginia 
possessed many natural advantages over the Colonists who 
settled in Massachusetts. Their climate was more mild and 
genial, and their soil more productive than ours. Their facilities 
for commerce and manufactures and agriculture were incom- 
parably greater than those presented to the Massachusetts 
Colony. And yet the Puritan Colony has been more prosperous 
than that at Jamestown. In wealth, in learning, in social order, 



30 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

in every thing which goes to make a people truly great, the 
Colonies settled by the Puritans are decidedly in advance of any 
others. 

Compare tlie first settlers of Virginia with those of Massa- 
chusetts, and the future destiny of the two Colonies will be 
foreshadowed. The first settlers in Virginia w^ere mostly mere 
adventurers, who came to the country to retrieve a ruined fortune 
and return ; tliose in Massachusetts were sober, prudent men, 
who came here to remain. The former came Avithout families, 
and so enjoyed none of the chastening endearments of home ; 
the latter brought their wives and children with them, which 
sanctified their humble dwellings. The one class Avere, to a 
great extent, men of idle habits, desperate fortunes, and dissolute 
characters, too proud to labor, but insolent in demanding their 
ftdl share of the products of others' toil ; while the other class 
were men of moderate means, but of sober, industrious habits, 
ready to perform their share of labor, endure their proportion of 
hardships, and to subsist upon the fruits of their own industry. 
Tlie Jamestown Colony did not profess any particular regard for 
religion ; while the Colony of Massachusetts made it their bond 
of union — their solace and support. The former were separated 
in interest and feeling ; the latter were united as a band of 
brothers. The settlement in Virginia commenced with a distinc- 
tion of castes — master and servant, lord and serf, the bond and the 
free, were early recognized as permanent classes ; but among the 
Puritans of Massachusetts such distinctions were ignored. Thia 
difference has given marked characteristics to the two States. 
Hence, in the one, we hear the vain boasts of having descended 
from one of the privileged class — one of the " first families ; " 
.while in the other, all are willing to be recognized as descendants 
from the humble and hardy Puritan stock. 

The relation of master and slave has not only exerted an 
unfavorable infiuence upon the morals of the Colony, by making 
the master haughty and tyrannical, and the slave cringing and 
servile; but has exerted a baneful influence upon its institu- 
tions. Large plantations and a scattered population grow almost 
necessarily out of that relation, and thus the support of churches 
and schools is to a great extent rendered impracticable ; and the 
same cause deprives them of the town organization, which has 



TO ITS INCORPOKATION AS A TOWN. 31 

done so mucli to improve the character and increase the 
prosperity of New England. 

The difference in the two Colonies, gi'owing, in a great 
measure, out of their religious faith, may be seen in the state of 
education in each. Massachusetts early established her glorious 
system of free schools, while Virginia has not, to this day, 
provided for the education of her whole population. In every 
thing relating to moral improvement, Massachusetts has been 
immeasurably in advance of her more southern rival. As early 
as 1G47, Massachusetts, by express statute, required her towns 
to support schools, while in Virginia, Berkeley, her Governor, as 
late as 1()71, sixty-four years after their first settlement, thanked 
God that there were neither schools nor printing presses in the 
Colony, and hoped there would be none for a centmy to come. 

Massachusetts, in 1638, established her University, wliich was 
ninety years earlier than any similar institution was created in 
Virginia. It is also worthy of notice that the first printing press 
in our own State was set up in 1638, being ninety years earlier 
than any press in Virginia. The first five issues from the press 
at Cambridge are so suggestive, that I cannot refrain from 
naming them in the order of their appearance : The Freeman's 
Oath, An Almanac, A Psalm Book, A Catechism, A Body of 
then- Laws, entitled a " Body of Liberties." Here we have a 
portraiture of our Puritan Fathers — a kind of pictorial repre- 
sentation of their thoughts and feelings — their manners and 
customs. Their Bibles, which they brought with them from 
England, were, of course, first read ; then the Freeman's oath 
must l)e taken ; then the Almanac consulted to learn the signs of 
the times ; then they were prepared to join in Psalms of Praise, 
and to teach their children the Catechism ; and, after that, 
they were prepared to study their Body of Liberties, and when 
they learned their rights, they were ready to assert them in any 
presence, and to defend them at any hazard whoever might be 
the aggressor. 

We have dwelt longer upon this subject than might at first 
view appear necessary in a Town History ; but, as our Towns 
are constituent parts of the State, and the source from which the 
State itself must derive its liistory, it seemed important to 
inquire into the character of the men who first settled our town- 



32 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

ships, and whose acts we are to record, and also to ascertain the 
general causes which led to our system of town organization. 
As in courts of justice the character of an act is determined 
somewhat by the reputation of the actor, so in history in order 
to judge accurately of the character of a transaction, we should 
know the parties to enable us to ascertain the motives w^hich led 
to the ti-ansaction. And besides, as institutions are but the 
embodiment of thoughts and principles, we can understand the 
nature of our institutions better by becoming conversant with the 
men who established them — their character, feelings and princi- 
ples being a sort of cotemporaneous construction of their true 
meaning. Besides, gratitude to their memory will fully justify 
us, who are enjoying the fruit of their labor, in passing their 
many virtues in review. And it is presumed that no one now 
upon the stage, whose lineage can be traced to the Puritans or 
Pilgrims, will blush to own such an ancestry. 

The early history of the Town of Lexington is included in 
that of Cambridge, of which it was originally a part. Until its 
incorporation as a town, in 1713, it was known by the name of 
Cambridge North Precinct, or more generally by the popular 
designation of " Cambridge Farms." In like manner Cambridge 
itself was originally included in, or more properly known by the 
name of " the Newe Towne," or Newton. It appears to have 
been the original intention of the General Court to make " the 
Newe Towne " the Capital of the Colony, and measures were 
adopted to encourage settlements there ; bvit, some misunder- 
standing arising with the Governor, and the Newe Towne 
being, as was alleged, too far from the sea, the Court were 
induced to select Boston as the seat of Government. It would 
seem, from the imperfect records of that day, that the territory 
now included in Charlestown, Somerville, IVIedford, Winchester, 
"Woburn, and Burlington on the one hand, and AVatertown, a 
portion of Belmont, Waltham, and Weston on the other, w^as 
granted before the Newe Towne was created ; so that her exten- 
sion was limited on two sides, at least, and by Boston and 
Eoxbuiy on the tliird — her territory lying between the towns 
above mentioned. But, though the Newe Towne contained a 
large territory, and the nearest settlements were Boston, 



TO ITS INCORPORATION AS A TOWN. 33 

Charlcstown, Roxbury, and Watertown, like most settlers in a 
new country, the inhabitants appear to have had a great thirst 
for land, and they soon began to complain that their limits were 
too circumscribed. Several disputes arose between them and 
their neighboring settlements, about their boundaries, and 
between them and the General Court respecting their limits. It 
was maintained by Rev. Mr. Hooker in behalf of himself and 
his flock, then resident in the Newe Towne, that they were 
actually suffering for the want of room ; that it was impolitic to 
have settlements as near each other as Charlestown, Newe Towne 
and Waterto'v\Ti ; and that, unless their borders were extended, 
they should be compelled to leave the place, that they might 
enjoy ample territory and so be able to grow and thrive as a 
Christian church. 

As early as 1G34, only three years after the first settlement of 
the place, they alleged that " the number of inhabitants had 
become disproportionate to the township." They complained 
that " they were straitened for want of land, especially meadow, 
and desired leave of the Council to look out either for enlarge- 
ment or removal." Their territory, probably, extended at that 
time nearly to the easterly line of the present town of Lexington. 
In the meantime the General Court adopted every reasonable 
means to satisfy their wants. At their session, held on the 25th 
of September, the General Court adopted the following orders : 
"It is ordered, with the consent of WatertOA^oi, that the meadow 
on this syde Watertown weire, contayning about thirty acres, be 
the same more or less, and now vsed by the inhabitants of Newe 
Towne, shall belong to said inhabitants of Newe Towne to injoy 
to them and then- heirs forever." 

" Also it is ordered, that the ground aboute Muddy Ryver [now 
Brookline] belonging to Boston, vsed by the inhabitants thereof, 
shall hereafter belonge to Newe Towne ; the wood and timber 
thereof, growinge or to be growinge to be reserved to the inhab- 
itants of Boston ; provided, and it is the meaning of this Court, 
that if ]VIr. Hooker, and the congregation now settled here, shall 
remove hence, that then the aforesaid meadow grounds shall return 
to Watertown, and the grounds at Muddy Ryver to Boston." 

But, notwithstanding these grants, and the further enlarge- 
ment of the boundaries of Newe Towne, so as to " extend eight 
5 



34 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

myles into the countr}^ from their Meeting House," ^ in IGoG, 
about one huncbed of the inhabitants of Cambridge, consisting 
of the principal part of Rev. Mr. Hooker's church and congre- 
gation, which came there in 1G32, removed "through a liideous 
and trackless wiklerness to Connecticut, and commenced a settle- 
ment at Hartford."^ This Colony consisted of men, women, 
and children, including I\Ii'. Hooker and Mr. Stone, their pastor 
and teacher ; and, being entkely unacquainted with the way, 
and having no guide but a compass, they passed over hills and 
through swamps, and thus rendered their journey through the 
wilderness more protracted, tedious, and trying to them than it 
otherwise would have been. They drove their cattle, to the num- 
ber of about one hundred and sixty, with them, and subsisted 
mainly upon the milk of their flock. They had on theu- journey, 
at least, no reason to complain of " being straitened for the want of 
land, especially meadow." Their journey was long and tiying. 
Mrs. Hooker, the wife of the pastor, was so feeble that she had 
to be carried upon a litter ; and having but few comforts, and being 
compelled to make the ground theu' bed, and the sky their 
covering, they must have suffered severely. But their strong 
reli'J-ious feeling, mingled, perhaps, with a Kttle worldly enter- 
prise ; then- desire to buUd up a flourishing church, and, at the 
same time to possess themselves of a large tract of land, 
sustained and supported them. 

The removal of so many persons from Newe Towne was a 
matter of deep regret not only to the people of the place, but to 
the Colony. The General Covirt took every reasonable step to 
retain them ; bvit being unable to satisfy the desires of these 
adventurous people, they at last gave their consent for their 
removal, on condition that they should consider themselves within 
the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Colony, and hold them- 
selves subject to her laws.^ 

' This eight-mile line ran across the present town of Lexington, from a point 
on the Burlington line, near the Gibbs place, through the meadow back of the 
Old Cemetery, and near the Town Pound to Lincoln line, near the residence of 
T. H. Rhodes. 

I ' Holmes's History of Cambridge : Massachusetts Colony Records : Winthrop's 
Journal. 

3 Winthrop's Journal ; Trumbull's History of Connecticut : Mass. Colony 
Records. 



TO ITS INCOKPORATION AS A TOWN. 35 

But, tliough Mr. Hooker and his flock had departed, and the 
boundary of the town had been enlarged, those who remained 
still regarded their limits as too circumscribed, and manifested a 
desire to emigrate. The thirst for landed possessions so peculiar 
to tiie first settlers in every country, appears to have infected our 
pious ancestors. They were enduring the hardships incident to 
a new settlement, and undoubtedly looked with anxiety to a time 
when they might, in some degree, rest from their severe toil, and 
have the consolation that when they should be called home, they 
could leave their children in a condition more favorable than that 
in which they commenced life. But, that the small settlement at 
Newe Towne was not particularly pressed for room, will appear 
from the fact that the township at that time included what is 
now Newton, Brighton, a part of Brookline, West Cambridge, 
one half of Lexington, and a portion of Belmont — a territory 
sufficiently large, one would suppose, to contain and support a 
few hundred inhabitants. 

In 163 6, the General Court contemplated the erection of a 
public school at Ne^^i:on, and appropriated four hundred pounds 
for that purpose ; this laid the foundation of the University. 
In 1638, Rev. John Harvard, of Charlestown, endowed this 
school with about eight hundred pounds. Thus endowed, the 
school was exalted to a college, and assumed tlie name of its 
principal benefactor ; and the General Court, in compliment to 
the college, and in memory of the place where many of their 
fathers received their education, passed, in 1638, the following 
order : " That Newe Towne shall henceforward be . called 
Cambridge." ^ 

To heal the dissatisfaction which existed among the people, 
and to prevent any further emigration from the place, the 
General Court had taken measures to extinguish the Indian title 
within the boundaries of Cambridge, and had instituted inquiries 
concerning other unappropriated territoiy, with a view of annex- 

' The present village of Cambridge appears to have been designed as a forti- 
fied camp rather than a town. It contained only about one thousand acres, and 
was to have been inclosed by a ditch and stockade. In 1632, the Court 
ordered " that £60 be levied out of the several plantations toward the making 
of a pallysadoe aboute the Newe Towne." The fosse which was then dug about 
the place, says Dr. Holmes, in his history of Cambridge, is, in some places, 
visible to this day. 



36 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

ino- it to New Towne. In 1636, a committee was appointed to 
view the Shawshine country, and report whether it be fit for a 
plantation. In 1641, the Court passed the following order: 
" Shawsliine is granted to Cambridge, provided they make it a 
village, to have ten families there settled within three years ; 
otherwise tlie Court to dispose of it." 

The Shawshine country being rather vague in its extent, and 
the character of the country being but little known, a committee 
was appointed to examine the premises, and report to the Court. 
As their report, made in 1642, casts some light upon this subject, 
and fixes in some degree the territorial limits of Cambridge in 
that quarter, we will give it entu-e : 

"Wee, Avhose names are underwritten, being appointed to 
viewe Shawshine, and to take notice of what fitness it was of, for 
a village, and according to our apprehensions make return to the 
Court, we therefore manifest thus much : that for quantity, it is 
sufficient, but for quality in our apprehensions, no w^ay fit, the 
upland being very barren, and very little meadow there abouts, 
nor any good timber almost fit for any use. We went, after we 
came to Shawshine house, by estimation, some 14 or 16 miles 
at the least by compass ; from Shawshine house wee began to go 
downe the ryver 4 or 5 miles near east, then wee left that point, 
and went neerc upon north, came to the Concord Ryver, a little 
below the foils, about one mile or near ; then wee went up the 
ryver some 5 miles, untill wee came to a place called the Two 
Brethren ; and from thence it is about two miles and a half to 
Shawsliine, and the most part of all the good land is given out 
already ; more land there is at the north side of the house, 
between the side of Concord line and the head of Cambridge line, 
but littell meadow, and the upland of little worth ; and this is 
that wee can say herein. 

Simon Willard, 
Edward Con vers." 

This Report, being rather unfavorable as to the character of the 
country, the Coui-t enlarged their grant to Cambridge, and gave 
them further time to effect a settlement. The grant was in these 
words: "All the land lying upon the Shawshine River, and 
between that and Concord River, and between that and the 



TO ITS INCORPORATION AS A TOWN. 37 

Merrimack River, not formerly granted by this Court, are 
granted to Cambridge, so as they erect a village there within 5 
years, and so as it shall not extend to prejudice Charlestowne 
village, or the village of Cochitawist, nor farmes formerly 
granted to the now Governor of 1,200 acres, and to Thomas 
Dudley, Esq., 1,500 acres, and 3,000 acres to Mrs. Winthrop ; 
and Mr. Flint, and Mr. Stephen Winthrop are to set out their 
heade line toward Concord." 

This liberal grant was made in 1G42, but no permanent settle- 
ment being made, the church in 1644 was about to remove to 
Muttakeese (now Yarmouth?) where a settlement had recently 
been commenced. To counteract this movement, the General 
Court, in 1644, passed the following order: " Shawshine is 
granted to Cambridge without any condition of making a village 
there ; and the land between them and Concord is granted them, 
all save what is formerly granted to the military Company, 
provided the church present continue at Cambridge." ^ 

This grant of Shawshine, like most of the grants at that day, 
was very indefinite, so far as limits are concerned ; it is impossible 
to say, with precision, what was included. It is generally 
admitted that the Shawshine grant extended to the Merrimack 
River. It is sufficient to our purpose to know that it included 
all the town of Billerica, the greater portion of Bedford, and all 
that part of Lexington north of the eight-mile line. Billerica 
was incorporated in 1655 into a town by the consent of Cam- 
bridge. It was at that time a large territory, bounded on Cam- 
bridge Farms, Chelmsford, Andover, Woburn and Concord. 

It is difficult to determine, with precision, the date of the first 
settlements at Cambridge Farms, as the territory was included in 
Cambridge ; and the records of any event in that town, do not 
generally specify in what part of the town it ^occurred. Had 
Lexington been an independent community, with records of its 
own, many dates could have been fixed, which are now left to 
conjecture. This part of the town appears to have been regarded 
as the wood lots and the hay fields of Cambridge. We have seen 
already, a complaint that they had a deficiency of meadows. Such 
land at that time was held in high estimation, as it was generally 

• Colony Records : Williams's Century Sermon, preached at Lexington, March 
31, 1813. 



38 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

free from wood,^ and in a condition for mowing fields without 
the hibor of clearing. The people could therefore avail them- 
selves at once of the grass from the meadows, and thus support 
their herds of cattle, much earlier and more easily than if 
they were compelled to clear dense forests and subdue the soil. 
Lexino:ton, at tliat period, had a considerable share of open 
land, and hence it was sought by those who resided in the old 
town. The consequence was that the first lands taken up were 
held in a good degree by non-residents. 

As early as 1642, Herbert Pelham, Richard Champney, 
Edward GofFee, John Bridge, Edward Collins, John Russell, 
Golden ]Moore, Edward AVinship, Richard Park, John Betts, 
and Thomas Danforth were proprietors of land within this town- 
ship. It is probable that most of them, instead of removing to 
their lands, continued their residence in Cambridge proper, or in 
some of the settlements near Boston. Most of these gentlemen 
were among the early and prominent settlers of Cambridge, and 
were largely engaged in land speculations, not only in Cambridge 
Farms, but elsewhere. Such men would not be very likely to 
remove from comfortable homes in Cambridge to a new settle- 
ment, where they would be subjected to many privations and 
hardships. 

Nor is it easy to determine where their lands were situated. 
The Proprietors' Records cast but little light upon the subject. 
Where A is bounded upon B, and B upon A, we are simply 
informed that tliese lands were contiguous, without knowing the 
locality of either. Occasionally we find an item bearing upon 
the location of some of the lots. In 1642, we find a grant to 
Herbert Pelham : " At the further side of Vine Brook, one house 
and 600 acres of land ; Concord hue north, John Bridge west." 
The same record the same year contains the following entry in 
favor of Edward GofFee : " By Vine Brook, 600 acres of land, 

' At the first settlement of the country, most of the meadows and some of 
the uplands, were found free from wood and brush, like the prairies and open- 
ings at the West. This is generally ascribed to the periodical fires set by the 
Indians, for the purpose of destroying the hiding places of their game, and at 
the same time to enable them to discover, in open land, the approach of an 
enemy, and to give them an opportunity of attacking them from their coverts, 
while the enemy was exposed in the open ground. The fact that these meadows 
are so strongly inclined in these days, to grow up to wood and brush, shows 
that some such cause must have kept them open then. 



TO ITS INCORPORATION AS A TOWN. 39 

more or less. Herbert Pelliam and John Bridge on the north." 
Under date of January 15, 1(545, we have an entry which not 
only shows to whom the gi'ant was made, but also the indefinite 
character of the description or boundary, so common at that 
day. " According to a former act of the townsmen in the year 
1643, as appears unto us by their acknowledgment under their 
hands, it is now also ratified by these presents, a grant unto John 
Bridge, sen., of twenty acres of ploughed land on this side of 
Vine Brook eastward, near unto the place where his stacks of 
hay did stand, in lieu of his lot in the neck, viz., unbroken land 
only with timber and wood." 

It is impossible to state when the first settlement was made at 
the Farms. As this part of Camljridge was used to obtain hay, 
it is most likely that the first residents spent only a portion of the 
year here, and, Hke fashionable gentlemen at this day, had both 
a summer and a winter residence. But, be this as it may, it 
appears thatPelham's grant, in 1642, had a house standing upon 
it, and that John Bridge had stacks of hay upon his land near 
Vine Brook, prior to 1645. These lands must have been 
situated in the southwesterly part of the town near the source of 
Vine Brook, and were probably among the first lands settled. 
There is one peculiarity in relation to the settlement of this town- 
ship, viz., the earliest settlers were generally located near the 
respective borders of the town, as we shall have occasion to show 
hereafter. This probably arose from the fact that it was an 
appendage to another town. Had it been an independent, 
original grant, some central point would have been selected, 
around which the population would cluster. Then they would 
have had their own records, and any act of an individual 
would have been set down as a part of the history of the place. 
But as it is, we have to look to the Records of Cambridge, and 
are unable to say whether they resided at the Farms or in 
Cambridge proper. 

Without pretending to state the exact order or the date of their 
settlement, we can safely say that the Bridges, Winships, 
Cutlers, Fiskes, Stones, Bowmans, Merriams, Russells, 
Wellingtons, Munroes, Tidds, Eceds, Whitmores and Smiths 
were among the earliest settlers and the most numerous fiimihes. 
We will endeavor to give the general location of these and the 



40 fflSTORY OF LEXINGTON 

Other early families. To begin with those who settled on or 
near what is now the line of West Cambridge:^ Edward 
Winship was one of the original owners of land within the 
present limits of Lexington, though he probably never lived 
within the township. He owned a large tract bordering upon 
West Cambridge line, extending from near the main street or 
Concord road, as it is called in the old Records, north of 
Gilboa, including the lands now occupied by Oliver Winship, one 
of his descendants, and also Mount Ephraim, which took its 
name from his eldest son, Ephraim, who resided near it. 
Edward Wjnship, or Lieut. Winship, as he was generally called, 
erected a saw mill on what was then denominated Mill Brook, 
on or near the site of the present fur factory. Tliis was 
undoubtedly the first mill set up within the township. At what 
time it was erected, we are not able to say ; probably as early as 
1650. Lieut. Winship, according to the custom of that day, 
kept his property in his o\ati hands during life, and left it by will 
in 1688, to his sons Ephraim, Edward, Samuel, and Joseph. 
The greater part of this property remained in the Winsliip family 
for several generations. They were large landliolders, and were 
prominent among the early settlers. Nor were their possessions 
confined to the northern side of the Concord road ; they owned 
land on the hill on the south side. 

Francis Whitmore was an early settler in Lexington, and must- 
have resided on the southerly side of Main street, below Cutler's 
Tavern, near the present line between Lexington and West 
Cambridge. The act constituting Cambridge Farms a legal 
Precinct, refers to the residence of Francis Whitmore in describ- 
ing the boundary line as "running on the southerly side of 
Francis Whitmore's house towards the town of Cambridsre." Mr. 
Whitmore married a daughter of Richard Parke, one of the first 
proprietors of lands at the Farms, about 1648, and probably 
came to the place soon after his marriage. He became a large 

' The tract pf territory which till recently has been known as West Cam- 
bridge, was a part of Cambridge till 1807, when it was erected into a town. 
Its Indian name was Menotomy, and it was afterwards known as the -West 
Precinct. In 1867, the inhabitants petitioned the Legislature for a change of 
the name of their town, and it was changed to Arlington. Wherever in this 
work the name of West Cambridge appears, the reader will substitute 
Arlington. 



♦TO ITS INCORPORATION AS A TO^VN. 41 

land-holder in Cambridge and the neighboring towns. He died 
in 1685, and his son Samuel succeeded him on liis place. 

Southwesterly of Francis Whitmore, and near the present 
Arlington and Belmont lines, was the Bowman family. Na- 
thaniel Bowman, of Watertown, purchased land of Edward 
Goftee, in Cambridge Farms, to which he removed. He died 
in 1682, leaving his real estate to his son Francis, by will, dated 
1679. Francis died in 1687, leaving, among other children, 
Francis and Joseph, who became very prominent men in Lexing- 
ton. Tliey resided on or near Watertown street, in the neighbor- 
hood of the present residence of the Lawrences. 

Southwesterly of the Bowmans were the Wellingtons, the 
descendants of Roger Wellington of Watertown, though they did 
not come to toAvn till a later period. A portion of the origmal 
farm is in possession of the Wellingtons at the present day. 

Farther to the west were the Smiths, who came to Lexington 
from Watertown and Waltham, then a part of Watertown. 
They were in possession of a large portion of the southerly part 
of the town, where many of their descendants reside at the 
present day. They were not, however, among the earliest 
settlers at the Farms. 

Westei'ly of the Smiths, on lands now partly in Lexington 
and partly in Lincoln, were the Abbots, who came from Ando- 
ver, the Stones, who came from Cambridge, and the Merriams, 
who came from Concord. Northerly of these and nearer the 
centre of the town, were the Bridges, who came from Cambridge, 
and were among the very first permanent residents in the place. 
There were also li^■ing in the southwesterly part of the town- 
ship at a later period, John Parker, Daniel White, Thomas 
Hastings, John Palfrey, Benjamin Stearnes, George Adams, 
Daniel Hoar, Judah Clark, Thomas Nelson, and Nathaniel 
Whittemore. Still more northwesterly, on what was then 
Concord line, James Cutler, the ancestor of those of that name 
in Lexington, settled as early perhaps as 1648, and consequently 
was among the very earliest settlers. He took up his abode on 
what is now known as Wood street, on or near the spot where 
William Hartwell now resides. 

In the northerly part of the town, on Bedford street, and on 
land still in possession of his descendants of the same name, 



42 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

"William Reed from Woburn settled about 1685. He was a 
lai-fje landholder, and had numerous descendants. He and his 
son A\'illinm became prominent in the toAvn. Northwesterly of 
the Reeds, on the other side of Tophet Swamp, so called, 
Thomas Kendall, probably from Woburn, settled at an early day. 
On Bedford street, at or near the late residence of James Pierce, 
originally from Watertown, resided as early as 1694, John 
Lawi-ence. He was the ancestor of the Groton family of 
LaAATcnces, of whom Amos and Abbott were prominent 
members. Northwesterly of this, and on what is now known as 
the Page Place in Bedford, Joseph Fassett, for many years 
a prominent citizen of Lexington, resided as early as 17(K). 
Jonathan Trask was a resident in Lexington at a period some- 
Avhat later. He lived on the northerly side of the meadow 
Avcsterly of Bedford street. He was one of the largest famiers 
in the town. In the neighborhood of Lawrence and Fassett, 
Nathaniel Dunkley resided ; and William Grimes had liis abode 
northwesterly of John Lawrence, and near the present line of 
Burlington. 

The northerly part of the town bordering upon Woburn, now 
Burlington, was first settled by the Lockes, who came from 
Woburn ; their houses were on the Woburn side of the line. 
Thomas Blodgett, from Woburn, came to Lexington about 
1690, and settled on Adams street, near the Gibbs Place. Be- 
tween the Blodgetts and the centre of the town, were William 
Ctirly, John Johnson, and John Harrington, Avho was the 
ancestor of one branch of the numerous family of the name of 
Harrington. 

The Tidds, who came from Woburn, settled in Lexington 
about 1680. They were at one time quite a numerous family, 
and lived where Mr. Charles Tidd now resides. The resi- 
dence of ]SIr. Nathan Chandler Avas originally a Tidd place. In 
the same neighborhood Mr. Joseph Simond settled about 1681. 
He was also from Woburn, and, marrying into the Tidd family, 
located himself near his father-in-law, on the place now owned 
and occupied by j\lr. Charles Johnson. 

Further to the east, on Avhat is now Woburn street, William 
Munroc, the ancestor of the numerous family of that name in 
Lexington and vicinity, settled at an early day near Woburn 



TO ITS INCORPORATION AS A TOWN. 43 

line. lie became a large land-holder, and six of his sons settled 
around him. As the Munroes were of Scotch descent, they 
gave the name of their fatherland to that section of the town, 
which has retained the name of Scotland to the present day. 
He probably came to Lexington about 1670. In the same 
neighborhood, but nearer the centre of the town, the Russells, 
wlio came early from Cambridge, fixed their abode. They were 
also large land-holders, and owned several tracts of land on the 
easterly side of what was then familiarly known as MiU Brook. 
Col. Phillip Russell resides upon land long in possession of his 
ancestors of the same name. 

The Fiskes, a somewhat numerous family, were among the 
first settlers at the Farms. They were located on East street 
near the residence of the late Joseph Fiske. One branch of 
the family fixed its residence on the place now occupied by 
Joseph F. Simonds, on Hancock street. Some of the family 
subsequently settled on the Concord road, and hence the name 
of " Fiske Hill." 

Having dra'svn this general outline, and spoken of the families 
who resided in the out parts of the town, it will be expected 
that we fill up the picture, and give the names of the families 
who resided in the centre. We have already intimated that 
the first settlers resided near the boundaries of the town, when 
there were no inhabitants in what is now regarded as the village. 
As their families increased, and the idea of becoming a separate 
parish was agitated, they would naturally turn their minds to 
some central point for a village. This would, as a matter of 
course, induce some of the sons of the first settlers to seek lands 
near the proposed village for their abode. There were also some 
families coming into town which would naturally desire the same 
central location. Tliis contributed to the increase of population 
in the village. Among those who came into town and settled in 
the centre, was Benjamin Muzzy, probably from Maiden, who 
bought his farm in 1693. He came to the precinct about that 
time, and took up his habitation on the place which Rufus Mer- 
riam now occupies. He was the ancestor of aU the Lexington 
men of that name. A few years later, John Mason from Water- 



44 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

town settled on the IVIain street near the old Munroe tavern, and 
hence the name of " ^Mason's Hollow." 

There is no plan of the to■s^'nship with the lots laid down, and 
hence it is impossible to state the exact location of the early 
families. The description given above will serve as a general 
guide, and other incidents and facts disclosed in the sequel will 
cast further light upon the subject. 

The growth of the settlement was at first slow. A large 

to ^^ 

share of the land being held by speculators, they would natu- 
rally retain it in their liands with the hope of an advance in 
price. The unsettled state of our relations with the Indians, 
would doubtless deter many from leaving the older settlements, 
where they felt perfectly secure, and settling in a more exposed 
toM^nship. It it true that the place was never disturbed by the 
incursions of the savages, yet the fact that during Philip's War, 
they burnt Sudbury, and Groton, and Andover, and Chelms- 
ford, must have spread terror and dismay through this settle- 
ment, at least so far as to check its increase. But after that 
dessolating struggle had terminated by the death of Philip in 
1676, the people had rest ; and this, as well as other new settle- 
ments, received some accessions. In 1682, the number of the 
families at the Farms amounted to about thirty, and the number 
of souls to about one hundred and eighty. Several of these 
families had come to the place within two or three years. 

But in addition to the unavoidable privations of a new settle- 
ment, they were destitute of Avhat was considered by our pious 
fathers, one of the indispensable prerequisites to the growth and 
prosperity of the place. They had no ministry among them, 
and so had no convenient opportunity of enjoying the ordinances 
of the Gospel, without traveling from five to ten miles. With 
this state of tilings they could not long be contented. Johnson, 
in his " Wonder-Working Providence," has justly said of our 
fathers, " It is as unnatural for a right New England man to 
live without an able ministry, as for a smith to work his iron 
without fire." Actuated by such feelings as are here implied, in 
October, 1682, the people petition the General Court to be set 
off as a distinct parish. This petition was signed by James 
Cutler, Matthew l^ridge, Jr., David Fiskc, Sen., Samuel Stone, 
Sen., Francis Whitmore, John Tidd, Ephraim Winship, and 



TO ITS INCORPORATION AS A TOWN. 45 

John Winter, in behalf of themselves and the inhabitants of the 
Farms. The people of Cambridge zealously opposed the sepa- 
ration, and the prayer of the petitioners was not granted. 

The application, however, was renewed in 1684, when the 
Court appointed a Committee to inquire into the merits of the 
case ; and if they were satisfied that the prayer ought to be 
granted, to report a suitable boundary for the parish. The 
Committee, after due investigation, reported favorably to the 
petitioners ; but the opposition of Cambridge again prevailed, 
and the report of the Committee was defeated. Conscious of 
the rectitude of their intentions, and the justice of their cause, 
they renewed their petition in 1691 ; when the Court, in view of 
the inconvenience under which they labored, and of the growth 
of the settlement, granted their request, as will be seen by an 
entry upon their Jovirnal under date of December 15, 1691. 

" Upon reading the petition of the farmers within the precinct 
and bounds of the town of Cambridge towards Concord, therein 
setting forth their distance, (the nearest of them living about 
five miles) from Cambridge Meeting House, their place of wor- 
ship, praying that according to a former application by them 
several years since made unto this Court, for the advantage of 
themselves, families, and property, they may have this Court's 
favor and license in order to the calling of a fit minister for dis- 
pensing the Gospel among them ; also that they may become a 
distinct village for the end proposed in their said petition ; the 
Selectmen of Cambridge having had a copy of said petition sent 
them Avith a notification of the time for their being heard there- 
upon tliis day, and accordingly attending : 

" After a full hearing and consideration of what was offered 
by both parties, it is granted and ordered by this Court, that 
the Petitioners be and they hereby are permitted and allowed to 
invite and settle an able and orthodox minister, for the dispen- 
sing of the Gospel among them, and that all the inhabitants 
living within the line formerly stated by a Committee of tliis 
Court, A.D. 1684, 'beginning at the first mentioned water or 
swampy place over which is a kind of bridge in the way, on 
the south side of Francis l^^iitmore's house towards the town 
of Cambridge aforesaid, across the neck of land lying between 
Woburn Ime and that of Watertown side, upon a southwest and 



46 mSTORY OF LEXINGTON 

northeast course,' do pay unto the minister's maintenance there, 
and are hereby empowered annually to choose three or five meet 
persons to assess their inhabitants for the support and main- 
tenance of their minister ; as also a constable or collector to 
gather the same, by warrant from said assessors. The said 
farmers not being hereby discharged from paying theu- propor- 
tion as formerly unto all public charges in the town, except what 
refers to the ministry, so long as they maintain an able minister 
among themselves." 

In the description of the boundary of the Precinct only one 
line is mentioned ; the other portions bordering on Watertown, 
Woburn, Concord and Billerica, rendered a descri^ition of those 
lines unnecessary. The order conferring corporate powers upon 
the people of the Farms, constituted them a Precinct and gave 
them authority to manage their parochial affans ; but in all 
other respects they remained a part of Cambridge as before. 

Being incorporated December, 1691, the people assembled for 
the first time under the act, on the 22d of April, 1692, and 
made choice of DaA-id Fiske, Sen., as Clerk, "to write the votes 
of the inhabitants of the place, and to keep a record of them." 
This was the first corporate act of the farmers, and here their 
records commence. Before this date, all we know of the people 
of Cambridge Farms, is gleaned from the Cambridge records, 
and other records and papers found in the hands of individuals. 
At their first meeting, April 2 2d, after organizing by the choice 
of a clerk, they proceeded to carry out the object for wdiich they 
had sought corporate powers, viz. that of obtaining a stated 
ministry — by voting " That IVIi'. Benjamin Estabrook shall be 
the man that shold be invited to preach to them, by a clear voat, 
and that he shall be spoken to to preach to us, a year from the 
first of May, 1692; and that Samuel Stone, Sen., and David 
Fiske, Sen., shold speak to him to come and preach to us as 
aforesaid." 

" Voted, That we will give him forty pounds for a year, half 
in money, viz., twenty pounds, and twenty pounds in other pay 
at money prise, and that it should be for his salary, and to 
supply for his entertainments." 

Previous to this meeting and probably immediately after 
obtainmg then act of incorporation in December, 1691, an 



TO ITS INCORPORATION AS A TOWN. 



47 



effort was made to erect a meeting house in the Precinct, and 
a subscription was set on foot to obtain funds for that purpose. 
This subscription is preserved, and is the oldest paper upon our 
records ; and it becomes exceedingly valuable, as it bears the 
names of the principal inhabitants, and shows the interest they 
felt in the cause of religious institutions. This paper, which we 
shall give entu'e, is valuable in several respects. It not only 
contains the names of the inhabitants, but is generally a fair 
relative valuation of the property which each one possessed ; for 
it should be remembered that at that day and for such an object, 
the people generally contributed according to then- means. I 
shall have occasion to refer to this list frequently in the sequel. 



The Subscriiitions of several Persons towards the first 
Building of « Meeting House. 



David Ffiske, Sen., 
Samuel Stone, Sen., 
Matthew Bridge, 
Epbraim Winship, 
John Winter, 
Joseph Symonds, 
William Munroe, 
John Russell, 
Thomas Cutler, 
David Ffiske, Jr., 
Philip Russell, 
William Carley, 
Corp. John Stone, 
John Johnson, ' North,' 
Corp. William Reed, 
Samuel Winship, 
John Merriam, 
Robert Merriam, 
Thomas Johnson, 
John Munroe, 
John Stone, ' West,' 

£ 38 03 £ 62 01 

It will be observed that several of the names in the above list 
are distinguished by the points of the compass, as "North," and 



SUM. 


NAMES. 


SUM. 


£ s. 




£ s. 


2 10 


Brought up. 


38 03 


2 10 


Joseph Teed, 


1 00 


2 10 


Joseph Locke, 


1 00 


2 10 


William Stearns, 


1 00 


1 00 


James Cutler, 


1 00 


2 00 


Daniell Stone, 


1 00 


2 00 


John Cutler, 


12 


2 12 


John Hewes, 


1 10 


2 00 


Jonathan Knight, 


2 00 


2 00 


William Johnson, 


1 10 


1 16 


Samuell Whitmore, 


1 10 


1 10 


Matthew Bridge, Jr., 


1 00 


1 10 


Thomas Blodgitt, 


1 10 


1 10 

2 00 


Samuel Stone, ? 
David's son, S 


1 00 


2 00 


John Winter, Jr., 


16 


1 10 


Josiah Hobs, 


10 


1 10 


John Teed, Sen., 


2 10 


1 5 


Joseph Merriam, 


1 10 


1 00 


Samuell Stone, ' West,' 


1 00 


1 00 


Benjamin Muzzy, 


2 00 



48 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 



""West." This addition was for the purpose of distinguishing 
them from persons of the same name, and was a poor substitute 
for senior and junior. 



The following is the Tax Bill for 
salary from ]May 1, 1692, to May 



the payment of the minister's 
1, 1693 : 





£ 


8. 


d. 




£ 


s. 


d. 


David Fiskc, Sen., 
Samuell Stone, Sen., 
Widow Merriam, 


1 
2 
1 


10 

2 

12 







Brougid up, 
John Cutler, 
Obediah Johnson, 


27 


2 
10 

7 


11 
6 
6 


Joseph Merriam, 
John Johnson, 
Ephraim Winship, 
Samuel Winship, 
John Russell, 


1 


1-t 

13 

3 

16 

18 


5 

9 

6 


Joseph Perry, 
Thomas Rugg, 
John Comey, 
David Fiske, Jr., 
Thomas Smith, 


1 


7 

6 

6 

00 

16 






6 


Philip Russell, 


1 


00 





John Smith, 




7 





William Munroe, 


1 


17 





Isaac Stearnes, 




16 


9 


John jNIunroe, 




8 





John Stone, 'West,' 




13 


6 


Benjamin jMuzzy, 


1 


16 


6 


Samuel Stone, ' East, 


\ 


13 





William Carley, 


1 


00 


3 


Thomas Cutler, 




18 


9 


John Hewes, 




12 


9 


Samuel Stone, ' West 


» 


18 





William Johnson, 




8 


6 


Joseph Stone, 




9 


6 


William Reed, 




19 


9 


Nathaniel Bowman, 




7 


6 


John Teed, 


1 


00 





Francis Bowman, 


1 


1 





Joseph Teed, 




9 





Samuel Whitmore, 




13 





Samuel Teed, 




7 


6 


George Adams, Sen., 




6 





Daniel Teed, 




7 


6 


George Adams, Jr., 




11 





Israel Mead, 




I 3 





David Stone, 




8 


6 


Joseph Locke, 




10 


6 


John Axlln, 




6 





^latthew Bridge, Sen 


, 1 


11 





Josiah Hobs, 




6 





Matthew Bridge, Jun 


, 


10 


3 


William Munroe, Jr. 




6 





John Stone, ' East,' 




16 


3 


John Poulter, 




7 


6 


John Winter, 


. 1 


1 





Daniel Stone, 




8 


6 


John Merriam, 




16 


9 


John Stearnes, 




8 


6 


Joseph Symonds, 




17 


9 




£41 


1 


5 




£27 


2 


11 





DAVID FISKE, 
SAMUEL STONE, 
EPHRAIM WINSHIP, 



Assessors, 



These two papers, the subscription for the meeting house, and 
the first tax bill for the support of their minister, are both valu- 
able, as they contain the names of all the male inhabitants, and 



TO ITS INCORPORATION AS A TOWN. 49 

show us who were the hirgest holders of real estate at the incor- 
poration of the precinct. The tax bill contains a full list of the 
ratable inhabitants, while the subscription, though it does not 
bear the name of every citizen, contains the names of some who 
were not resident in the place, but felt an interest in the prosper- 
ity of the settlement. There is also a remarkable coincidence 
between the tax and the subscription, which speaks well for the 
liberality of the inhabitants. On the subscription, David Fiske, 
Sen., Samuel Stone, Sen., Matthew Bridge, Sen., Ephraim 
Winship, Joseph Simonds and William Munroe, stand the six 
highest, and on the tax bill the same gentlemen maintain their 
relative position. In fact, the two papers show that each one 
was willing to bear his share of the burdens of supporting 
religious institutions, whether they were imposed by a tax or 
left to his voluntary offering, — a fact which, we fear, Avould 
put many members of religious societies at this day to the 
blush. 

The last tax bill spread out upon the record is in 1G9(), and 
bears the names of about a dozen tax payers not found on the list 
three years before. This increase consists of several young men 
who had arrived at a taxable age, and several others wlio had 
come into town. Among the latter were Ebenezer Whitney, 
Ebenezer Nutting, Daniel White, Joseph Grant, Jolm Wilson, 
James Wilson and Jolm Lawi^ence. I have been thus particu- 
lar in giving the names of the tax payers, because it fixes the 
residence of individuals, and gives, proximately, the population 
at that period. 

Being organized as a parish, the people took measures to 
secure to themselves the great object for which they had sought" 
corporate powers, the enjoyment of a Gospel ministry. The 
meeting house contemplated by the subscrijition of which we 
have spoken, was erected early in the year 1692. It was located 
at the junction of the Concoi'd and Bedford roads, near where 
the hay scales now stand. Having engaged Mr. Estabrook to 
preach for them one year and provided a house of worship, they 
looked forward to a continued ministry and its permanent sup- 
port. At their second parish meeting, held March 1, 1692-3, 
after choosing their appropriate officers, they adopted the follow- 
ing measure, the effect of wliicli is felt to this day : — 



50 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

" It was voted that a pese of land shall be bought for the min- 
istry, and payd for by the inhabitants by a rate." 

"David Fi.ske, Sen., Samuel Stone, Sen., Ephraim Winship, 
Benjamin ]\Iuzzy, A^'illiam ]Munroe and John Teed shall treat 
with the town of Cambridge to by or obtain a pece of land for 
our ministry." 

At a mectino- on the 24th of the same month, "It was voted 
that we will empower the men chosen to treat with the selectmen 
of Cambridge, and then- committee, about the purchasing of the 
land about the casey, and to make a full agreement with tkem, 
either to buy tlie Avhole of said land, or a part of it, Avhich they 
may see fit, for our ministry ; and that Ave engage to stand to 
what these men shall agree unto, and that we will bear every 
man their proportion of money for the purchasing said land." 
The men chosen as aforesaid were David Fiske, Sen., Samuel 
Stone, Sen., John Teed, Ephraim Winship, Benjamin Muzzy, 
William Munroe, Sen., AVilliam Reed and Francis Bowman, — 
the two last being added to the foriner committee. These men 
met the selectmen of Cambridge, and bought all the common 
land aforesaid, viz., "that on the east side of the casey by meas- 
ure for 10 sliillings per acre, 12 acres, 6 pounds; and the rest 
of the common land on the other side, and on the south side of 
Vine Brook meadow, for 12 pounds in money." This was done 
April 28, 1693, as appears under the hand of the town clerk of 
Cambridge, Jonathan Remington. A rate was made for the 
payment of this money upon all the inhabitants. 

This was the foundation of the Ministerial Fund, which has 
proved, as such funds generally do, a source of evil as well 
as good. 

After adopting measures for the support of the ministry, the 
people were desirous of having a settled minister. Mr. Esta- 
brook had been employed only by the year, and, being gratified 
with his laliors, they were anxious that the tenure of the relation 
should be rendered more permanent ; and hence, at their meeting 
March 24, 1692-3, they adopted the following hearty and sin- 
cere vote, though rather equivocally expressed : "At a meeting 
of the inhabitants it was voted, that wee will give Mr. Benjamin 
Estabrook a call to settle with us, our minister for time to come, 
till God's providence othericise dispose of kim." 



TO ITS INCOEPORATION AS A TOWN. 51 

To show the sincerity of the invitation, and their high appreci- 
ation of him as a man and as their spiritual guide, it Avas voted 
at a subsequent meeting, " that Avee Avill buHd a house for Mr. 
Estabrook upon his OAvn h\nd, 42 feet long and 18 feet Avide, 14 
feet studs, and a cellar under one of the rooms ; and engage to 
pay every man his proportion to the building and finishing the 
same ; and Ave give poAver to the selectmen to levy the charge 
upon every man in our precinct." 

When this house Avas finished, it Avas presented to him on the 
folloAving liberal and manly terms : "Voted, that the house built 
for INIr. Benjamin Estabrook shoidd be deliAered to him freely 
without any obligation, but his settling Avith us, and his taking 
ofis AA'ith us, and abiding Avith us." This house Avas situated on 
the easterly bank of Vine brook, betAveen Main street and the 
railroad. 

Having gi\^en Mr. Estabrook a call to the permanent Avork of 
the ministry among them, they recommended the formation of a 
church, and adopted measures for his ordination. But Avhile 
they AA^ere preparing for the settlement of a minister, they did 
not overlook the house in Avhicli he Avas to hold forth, and Avhere 
they Avere to attend upon his teaching. The meeting house 
erected in 1692, appears not to have been finished in the inside. 
But AAdth the increase of their means, and the prospect of a 
settled minister, they Avere desirous of "setting their house in 
order." At a meeting held, March 26, 1695, they adopted a 
A^ote replete' Avith care and gallantry, shoAving that they Avere 
alive to every good Avork, and not behind the times in all 
improvements save in orthography. " It Av^as voated that the 
meeting house slial first be repay ered, and that the bodey of 
seats shal be driven back, and that there shal be a table set up 
before the body of seats, the A\diol length of the body seats ; 
and that the meeting house shall be seelled up Avith pine boards, 
and handsom seats for Avomen be made on each side the meeting 
house, raised to convenient height, of Avhich that on the east side 
next the door shal be for Mi-s. Estal)rook." 

It Avas also voted "that the galary shall be inlarged, and thre 
seats made on each side galary, and four seats in the front 
galary, all made and Avell finished;" and "Samuel AVinship, 
Jonathan Poulter, Samuel Stone, Avest, Joseph Teed and 



52 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

Benjamin ]\Iuzzy " were entrusted with the execution of the 
work. 

Having provided a house for Mr. Estabrook, and for the 
refitting of the meeting house, they made further provision for 
his maintenance — the sum heretofore offered being deemed 
inadequate. It was voted, " 1. That for the next three years to 
com, we will give Mr. Estabrook, for his salary, forty-five 
pounds, per year, to be paid him half in money ; the other half, 
if it' be not paid in money, that what it is, shall be paid him at 
money prise. Also that there shall be one contribution every 
quarter of the year, the above-said three years, and what is then 
given shall be paid to jNlr. Estabrook, besides the above-named 
forty-five pounds. 

"2. It was voated that after the aforesaid three years are out, 
the four quarterly contributions shall cease, and for the future 
we will pay him for his salary fifty-six pounds per year, in and 
as money, he continuing to preach with us, and take offis with 
us. 

"3. It was also voted that the selectmen or assessors and 
constable for the time being, being chosen from year to year, 
shall stand engaged for the payment of the aforesaid salary, and 
shall clear up their accounts with the minister within the year, 
and that what is paid, that is not money, shall be brought to the 
minister's house by the persons voted their proportion to pay, 
and the account brought in by them to the constable." 

These terms being acceptable to Mr. Estabrook, the 21st of 
October, 1696, was fixed upon for his ordination, and the 
selectmen and John IVIerriam were directed " to provide what is 
necessary for the entertainment of the Magestral Ministers and 
Messengers of the Cluu-ch that day." . 

]Mr. Estabrook was accordingly ordained, October 21, 1696, 
agreeably to the arrangement. Thus Avas perfected the great 
purpose for which they had for years been laboring. They built 
them a house of worship ; they had gathered a Christian church ; 
and to give life and vitality to the institutions of religion in their 
midst, and especially to render their gospel privileges permanent, 
they had a tried and faithful pastor settled over them, according 
to the usages of the churches. No doubt they regarded this as 
an important era in their history, and looked forward with fond 



TO ITS INCORPORATION AS A TOWN. 53 

anticipation to years of Christian edification and prosperity. 
But alas, how uncertain are human anticipations ! How fleeting 
are our visions of bliss ! On the 2 2d of July, 1697, after a 
ministry of only nine months, Mr. Estabrook was removed from 
his earthly labors to the great regret of his little flock. 

Soon after the death of Mr. Estabrook, the attention of the* 
society was directed to INIr. ^John Hancock, son of Nathaniel 
Hancock, of Cambridge. On the 7th of November, 1697, the 
parish made choice of him to preach for them till the May 
following as a candidate for settlement. He complied with their 
request, and subsequently received a call for a permanent settle- 
ment — which he accepted; and on the 2d of November, 1698, 
he was publicly ordained as their pastor. They agreed to give 
him eighty pounds as a settlement, and to pay him the same 
salary they had given his predecessor, Rev. Mr. Estabrook. 

Having settled their minister on terms acceptable to the 
parties, the attention of the people was again called to their 
house of worship, and to the accommodation of the worshipers. 
It seems that liberty had been given to Captain William Reed, 
"to make a sette for his wife in y® Meeting House, on y^ men's 
side in the hindermost seate, five foote of the east end of it, and 
so up to the stayers against it, for y^ use forementioned." The 
erection of this seat by Capt. Reed induced others to make a 
similar application, and at a meeting held jSIarch 6, 1698-9, 
"Liberty was granted to Robert Merriam, Joseph Stone, Jona- 
than Poulter, John Munroe and Thomas Merriam to by eld a seat 
for their wives, on the within back side of the Meetino: House, 
from Goodwife Reed's to the women's stayers." 

But these individual eflforts failed to meet the public wants, 
and the parish itself took the matter in hand. At a meeting, 
Sept. 6, 1700, "It was then agreed that they would build tow 
upper galleries, and put it in the hands of the Assessors and 
Committee to doe the work decently and well, and to agree with 
the workmen for the price of it ; this Committee is to be under- 
stood that Committee that was chosen at the last publique Meet- 
ing in June." 

Though the people at the Farms had asked simply to be incor- 
porated as a parish, and gave their first attention and care to the 
church, they did not entirely overlook the affairs of state. Feel- 



54 mSTORY OF LEXINGTON 

ing tliat tlicy were in danger from sudden incursions of the 
Indians, and tliat their distance from the village of Cambridge, 
where the arms and ammunition were deposited, rendered them 
nearly useless to them in case of a sudden attack, they directed 
" Capt. AMlliam Reed, Lieutenant Thomas Cutler, and Ensign 
'Simonds, to petition the town of Cambridge, that that part of 
the pubUc stock of ammunition for the town which is supposed 
to belong to our share, may be kept in the parish ; and it was 
also voted that those three gentlemen should take care for and 
provide a place to keep it in." 

Nor did the good people of the parish overlook the wants of 
the risino- o-cneration. "It was also agreed and voted, that the 
town [of Cambridge] be requested to allow six pounds out of the 
town's rate for the encouragement of a school in the precinct." 
Neither did they confine their care to mere intellectual culture 
such as would be taught in the schools. They saw the impor- 
tance of moral and religious culture, and felt it their duty to 
watch over the morals of the children and youth ; and hence at 
a meeting held January 28, 1700, "It was voted that Joseph 
Locke, John Lawrence, John Mason and Jonathan Poulter be 
requested to take some prudent care that the children and youth 
may not play at meeting, and thereby profane the Lord's Day." 
And while they were desirous that their childi'en should be 
brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and so 
become ornaments of his church, and reflect honor upon the 
religion they professed, they had a just appreciation of the tem- 
poral wants of him whom they had chosen as theu' spiritual 
guide, and upon whose labors they must depend, in a great 
degree, in accomplishing that desh-able and all-important end. 
Hence it was " voted that the Rev. Mr. Hancock's salary should 
be advanced to sixty pounds, payable as before, and the quar- 
terly contributions to continue till further order." It was also 
voted that i\Ir. Hancock be allowed to take timber from the 
parish land to repair his buildings and fences, and wood sufficient 
to supply his fires. 

The meeting house erected in 1692, stood at the junction of 
the Concord and Bedford roads, near the present hay scales, and 
was upon land included within the highways ; the land which 
now constitutes the Common being private property. Seeing 



TO ITS INCORPORATION AS A TOWN. 



55 



the propriety of securing a plot near the meeting house for a 
public common, at a meeting held in April, 1711, it was agreed 
by the inhabitants of the precinct to buy the land about the 
meeting house, of Mr. Benjamin Muzzy, and to do it by sub- 
scription. A paper was accordingly drawn up and circulated, 
and the following names and sums were obtained : 



Ensign Joseph Bowman, 
Capt. Joseph Estabrook, 
Benjamin Muzzy, 
Matthew Bridge, 
Samuel Stone, 
Dea. Samuel Stone, 
Dea. John Merriam, 
John Mason, 
Samuel Locke, 
William Russell, 
George Munroe, 
Joseph Loring, 
Ephraim Wiuship, 
John Muzzy, 
John Munroe, 
Robert Merriam, 
James Russell, 
John Cutler, Sen., 
Widow Fiske, 
David Meade, 
Widow Hannah Stone, 
Daniel Stone, 
John Stone, ' West,' 
Samuel Stone, Jr., 
David Fiske, Sen., 
Robert Fiske, 
Thomas Merriam, 



5. d. 


10 


c, 10 


10 


10 


10 


10 


6 


6 


6 


4 


10 


5 


4 


2 6 


10 


7 


2 


5 


2 


6 


2 6 


3 


6 


6 


5 


2 


6 


£840 



£ *. d. 



Brought up, 
Thomas Rugg, 
Joseph Merriam, 
Jonathan Fiske, 
Samuel Stearns, 
Joseph Stone, 
Sherebiah Kerbe, 
Ens. Joseph Simonds, 
Thomas Blodgett, 
John Meade, 
David Russell, 
John Locke, 
Francis Whitmore, 
Richard Muzzy, 
Samuel Winship, 
Samuel Whitmore, Sen., 
Joseph Brown, 
William Munroe, Jr., 
Isaac Hunt, 
David Munroe, 
John Russell, Sen., 
Elihu Wardwell, 
John Comee, 
Capt. William Reed, 
Philip Russell, Sen., 
Lieut. Thomas Cutler, 



1 
5 
5 
8 

2 6 



10 

10 

6 



£14 8 6 



This subscription fell a trifle short of the purchase money, 
which was sixteen pounds, and was undoubtedly made up by 
individuals. The deed given by Mr. Muzzy, bearing date June 
14, 1711, acknowledges the receipt of sixteen pounds, paid by 
" the inhabitants of that most northerly part and precinct of Cam- 
bridge commonly called Cambridge Farms, towards Concord," 
8 



56 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

and c:rants " to the said inhabitants and their successors forever, 
a certain parcel of land, by estimation one acre and a half, more 
or less, lying and beinj^ situate in Cambridge Farms, nigh the 
meeting house, and is bounded northerly by the said Muzzy as 
the t'ence now stands, and elsewhere by highways ; to have mid 
to hold said land with all the timber, stones, trees, wood and 
underwood, herbage and messuage, with all and singular, the 
profits, privileges and appurtenances thereto belonging." 

Tliis land, though bought by individuals of the parish, appears 
to have been dedicated to public use. In January, 1713, they 
voted to locate their meeting house upon this land, so that, 
when the i)arish became a town, and the toAvn as successor of the 
parish came into possession of this property, they took it subject 
to the right of the parish to occupy such portion of it as might 
be necessary for a meeting house, and the necessaiy appurte- 
nances to the same. Consequently, the parish continued this 
use of a portion of the common more than a century, and aban- 
doned that use in 1846, since which time the Avhole property 
has been in the possession of the town, Avhich now holds it by a 
clear and indisputable title ; and the Revolutionary associations 
Avhich cluster around tliis spot, render it one of the consecrated 
battle-fields of our country, which will be remembered and 
honored as long as fr-^fedom has a votary, or heroic deeds com- 
mand the admiration of mankind. 

Being merely a precinct, the people had no legal power to 
provide themselves with schools or roads, or even to select their 
own local town officers ; and being eight miles from Cambridge, 
and having an interest in many respects different from that of 
the central village, it is natural to suppose that they would desire 
to set up for themselves, that they might the better supply their 
own wants, and manage their own affairs in their own way. At 
a meeting held October 28, 1712, they chose a committee to 
confer with the town of Cambridge and to petition the General 
Court to erect them into a town. 

This committee subsequently received a renewed expression of 
the same sentiments, and were by their constituents clothed with 
full powers to make such an arrangement with the people of 
Cambridge as they might deem expedient and equitable between 
the parties. In virtue of this authority they made an arrange- 



TO ITS INCOKPORA.TION AS A TOWN. 57 

mcnt with the parent town foi* a separation, tlie new town 
becoming obligated to support in part what was denominated 
the "i>:reat bridfje" over Charles river in Cambridjie, of which 
we shall speak more particularly hereafter. 

While the people at the Farms were aspiring at the indepen- 
dence of a town, and taking active measures to secure that end, 
they kept a steadfast eye upon those religious institutions on 
which their prosperity as a parish or a town must mainly depend. 
They therefore resolved to build them a meeting house more 
capacious in its dimensions, and one which would meet the wants 
of the growing population of the place. At a meeting held 
January 9, 1713, thcy voted to build a new meeting house on 
the plan of the one at Concord, — the house to be fifty feet long, 
forty feet wide, and twenty feet studs, Avitli one tier of galleries, 
— to be located upon the land recently bought of Benjamin 
Muzzy. A committee, consisting of Capt. William Reed, 
Quarter-master Samuel Stone, Sergeant John Munroe, Mr. 
Thomas Merriam and Mr. Thomas Blodgett, was chosen to 
carry the measure into effect. 

This meeting house, the second erected in the place, was situ- 
ated in the rear of the former, and nearly half way between the 
hay scales and the liberty pole. This house stood till it was 
superseded by another, Ijuilt 1793, which was placed twenty feet 
in the rear of its predecessor. The house here proposed to be 
built was the one standing on the common at the opening of the 
llevolution. 

Having arrived at a period Avhen the corporate character of the 
place was to be changed, and the precinct Avas to be merged in 
the town, we may well pause and reflect upon the scenes tlu'ough 
which the infant settlement had passed, the difficulties and dan- 
gers they had encountered, and the progress they had made. 
AVe have seen that for al)out a half a century they had no organ- 
ization of their own, no centre of attraction around w'hich to 
gather ; but were like a distant colony, doomed to provide for 
themselves, and yet under the control of the home government. 
They were deprived of the advantages of schooling for their 
children, and, in a great degree, of the privileges of gospel insti- 
tutions. In a word, they were citizens of Cambridge, governed 



58 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

by Cambridge regulations, subjected to Cambridge restrictions 
and taxed to maintain Cambridge institutions, and, at the same 
time, -were so remote as to be deprived, in a great degree, 
of Cambridge privileges. Not, however, that the town of Cam- 
bridge was severe or exacting, or intended to be oppressive upon 
those who dwelt upon her remote territory. But, from the 
necessity of the case, they were deprived of many privileges 
enjoyed in more central localities, and exposed to many hard- 
ships from which their more favored townsmen were exempt. 

Their isolated position and dependence upon a remote settle- 
ment, deprived them of those motives to build up institutions of 
their o\vn, which are so essential to the growth and prosperity 
of any community. These circumstances were unfovorable to 
the increase of population, and so kept them longer in a state 
of comparative destitution. Living, as we do, in these days of 
prosperity, we can hardly realize the trials and privations of 
the first settlers. We can picture to ourselves the hardships 
encountered in the distant western wilderness, and the sufferings 
in unexplored regions of our country ; but can hardly realize that 
here — in the midst of a thriving population, in the centre of 
plenty and luxury, where agriculture pours forth all her stores, 
manufactures supply all the necessaries, and commerce all the 
luxuries, of life — there could ever have been want and destitu- 
tion, dangers and sufferings. But so it was. This section was 
once new, once the abode of savages and wild beasts, and our 
fathers who first explored these hills and dales, cleared dense 
forests and subdued a rugged soil, had to encounter the same 
toils and dangers, and submit to the trials and privations which 
fall to the lot of those who now penetrate the wilds of Nebraska 
and Oregon. 

There is a kind of poetry in the descriptions of frontier adven- 
ture and wilderness life. We are animated by tales of dangers 
encountered and difficulties overcome, of clearing- dense forests, 
and making the wilderness rejoice and blossom as the rose. But 
after all, those who pass through these scenes know that there 
are tangible hardships and sober realities in the toils and priva- 
tions, the dangers and sufferings, of a frontier life. To be 
exiled from the abodes of civilization, to be cut off from the 
comforts and enjoyments of a settled country, to roam with 



TO ITS INCORPORATION AS A TOWN. 59 

beasts of prey joint tenants of the forest, to dwell in rnde habi- 
tations, and be doomed to incessant toil to obtain a coarse and 
scanty subsistence, — may be made attractive in a romance, or 
pleasing in song ; but when they are brought home to the expe- 
rience of men, they are found to be evils to be avoided rather 
than blessings to be desired. 

It is true that the settlers at Camliridge Farms were not very 
far distant from the settlements at Cambridge and Watertown ; 
but these towns at that day were not what they are at pres- 
ent ; and these neighboring settlements, though they might, 
under some circumstances, afford protection, could not impart 
plenty, or relieve the daily pressing wants of the inhabitants. 
A grandchild of one of the early settlers in this place says : 
" The old patriarch has often related with tears in his eyes the 
poverty and destitution experienced, the hardships borne, and 
the trials endured by the first inhabitants of the place. Their 
dwellings were small and rude, — the same room serving the 
various purposes of kitchen and parlor, dining-room and bed- 
room, storehouse and workshop. Their furniture was of the 
most primitive kind ; blocks or forms made of split logs fur- 
nished their seats, wooden spoons, made with a knife, enabled 
them to eat their bread and milk, or bean porridge, out of rude 
bowls or troughs, cut with an axe from blocks of wood." 

With such accommodations, and with comforts corresponding, 
their condition was not calculated to excite envy or stimulate 
pride, but rather to excite commiseration in others and the most 
untiring industry and rigid frugality in themselves. They sub- 
sisted upon simple food, clothed themselves with coarse fabrics 
of their own production, and were sheltered by rude and incon- 
venient huts. But by persevering efforts, by almost incessant 
labor, they contrived to subsist, and, in most cases, to rear large 
families, a blessing somewhat peculiar to new settlements. 

Though the history of the place from its first settlement to its 
incorporation as a town presents no thrilling incidents or events 
of much magnitude, yet the ordinary routine of business and the 
developments of institutions furnish us witli a true picture of 
New England character, and the manners and customs of the 
age. We have seen that the first great object of the people was 
to rear religious institutions. Attached as they were to schools, 



60 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

and anxious as tlicy were for roads, and inclined as they were to 
military defence, we have seen that their first object was to erect 
a nieetinix house and call a minister, that they might bring the 
sanctions of religion to bear upon the community, and so give 
permanency and tone to all other institutions. This prominence 
of the religious idea, this elevating of divine accountability above 
everv other consideration, this exaltation of public worship over 
all other duties, displays what may be denominated the New 
Endaud conviction that God is our strength and our refuge, and 
that communities, as well as individuals, must draw their suste- 
nance from this life-giving fountain. 

Another prominent idea of that age, which exhibits itself in 
the history of this and eveiy New England community, is the 
importance of the military arm to the safety of both Church and 
State. We see this in the prominence they gave to military titles. 
Not only do their records speak of captains and subalterns, but 
even the Avairant officers are honored with their appropi'iate des- 
ignations ; and a mere glance at the records will show that these 
military offices were generally filled by the most substantial men 
in the place. If a committee is Avanted to discharge some of the 
most important duties, it is generally composed of Captain A. 
and Lieutenant B. and Sergeant C. or Corporal D. Such men 
were selected for these important civil services, not because 
they had military titles, but because they were the prominent 
men in the place, and owed their military title to the fact that 
they were prominent men. The conviction that in giving us a 
being, the Almighty had granted the right of self-defence, or 
more properly, imposed the duty of self-preservation, led them 
to keep up a military organization. Knowing that communities 
had the same right of self-preservation as individuals, they availed 
themselves of their corporate power to provide for the common 
defence ; and knowing the importance of this trust, they selected 
their wisest and most reliable men to fill all military offices. 
They brought the sanctions of religion to bear upon every 
department of the civil service, and made every office in the 
State uphold the institutions of religion ; and hence the office 
of captain and deacon were equally important, and were often 
held by the same person ; and to be a tithingman was as honor- 
able as to be a selectman or a magistrate. 



CHAPTEK II. 

FROM THE INCORPORATION" OF THE TOWN TO THE CLOSE 
OF THE FRENCH WARS. 

The Town Incorporated — Its first Organization — Weights and Measures 
provided — Roads laid out — Meeting House seated — Ebenezer Hancock 
settled as Colleague with his Father — Duty of Tythingmen at Church — 
The North and South Side — Representatives to serve for Six Shillings per 
Day — Death of Rev. John Hancock — Rev. Mr. Clark settled — Lincoln 
incorporated into a Town, taking off a Portion of Lexington — ■ Represen- 
tatives shall pay to the Town all they receive over Three Shillings per Day 

— Isaac Stone gives the Town a Bell — French Wars — Expedition to Cuba 

— To Louisburg — Number of Soldiers furnished — Warning out of Town. 

Residing at a distance from the old parish, and possessing 
nothing- but parochial powers, the inhabitants of the precinct 
petitioned the General Court to be Incorporated as a town, that 
they might enjoy the fnll powers of a municipal corporation. 
Their petition received a favoral)le answer, and the Court adoj^ted 
an Order which received the royal sanction on the 20th of March, 

1712. As this Order was passed before the change of style, the 
20th of March, 1712, w^onld correspond with the 31st of March, 

1713, in our mode of reckoning. As this Order is the organic 
law of the town of Lexington, it seems proper to give it in 
full. 

" Whereas, upwards of twenty years since, the inhabitants or farmers 
dwelling on a certain tract of land within the township of Cambridge, in 
the county of Middlesex, being remote from the body of the town toward 
Concord, obtained leave of the General Court, with the approbation pf 
the town, to be a hamlet or separate Precinct, and were set off by a line, 
viz., Beginning at the first run of water or swampy place, and which is a 
kind of a bridge in the way or road, on the southerly side of Francis 
Whitmore's house towards the town of Cambridge aforesaid, across the 
neck of land between Woburn line and that of Watertown side, upon a 
southwest and northeast course, commonly called the North Precinct, and 
being now increased, have obtained the consent of the town, and made 



62 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

application to this Court to be made a separate and distinct town upon 
such terms as they and the town of Cambridge have agreed upon, that is 
to say, that the said northern part when made into a township, shall bear 
such part of the two-thirds of the charge of the great bridge over Charles 
river in Cambridge, as shall be according to their proportion with the town 
of Cambridge annually in tlie Province tax, and they shall annually pay to 
the Treasurer of the town of Cambridge their part of the charges afore- 
said ; and such other articles as the town and the precinct have already 
agreed upon by their committees, — 

" Ordered, That the aforesaid tract of land, known by the name of the 
North Precinct, in Cambridge, be henceforth made a separate and distinct 
Town, bv the name of Lexington, upon the articles and terms already 
a^'reed upon with the town of Cambridge, and the inhabitants of the said 
town of Lexington be entitled to have, exercise and enjoy, all such immu- 
nities, powers, and privileges, as other towns of this Province have and do 
by law use, exercise, and enjoy. 

" And the constable of said precinct is hereby directed and empowered to 
notify and summon the inhabitants duly qualified for votes to assemble and 
meet together for the choosing of town officers." 

Immediately after the passage of this Order, or as it was in 
fact, Act of Incorporation, the inhabitants of Lexington assem- 
bled to organize by the choice of town officers. As this election, 
shows who the leading men were at that period, and to Avhom 
the people of the new town were willing to intrust the manage- 
ment of their municipal aifairs, it is well to give a list of the 
town officers. 

Matthew Bridge, Capt. William Rekd, Lieut. Francis Bowman, 
Ensign Joseph Simonds, Deacon John Merriam, — Selectmen. 

Matthew Bridge, — Town Clerk. 

James Wilson, John Mason, — Constables. 

Francis Bowman, William Munroe, Samuel Stearns, — Assessors. 

Joseph Tidd, — Sealer of Weights and Measures. 

Lieut. Thomas Cutler, Thomas Blodgett, Samuel Whitmore, — 
Tythingmen. 

This being a new era in the history of this people — their cor- 
porate powers as a town extending beyond what they had before 
enjoyed — it is natural to suppose that they would enter at once 
upon the exercise of those powers, the want of which they had 
seriously felt under their parish charter. Accordingly we find 



TO THE CLOSE OF THE FRENCH WARS. 63 

the selectmen, the fathers of the towTi — a board which at that 
day exercised more extended powers than they do at the present 
time — taking active measures to build up all necessary town 
institutions. 

••Lexington, April 6, 1713: — Att a selectmen's meeting, it was then 
agreed that they would build a Pound, and that it should be fouer lengths 
of rails one way, and thre the other ; and gathe five foot wide ; and that It 
should stand at the end of Dea. Merriaui's stable, and by Sergeaute Mun- 
roe's stone wall. 

•• 2. That they would erect a payer of Stocks.' 

•' 3. That they would provide the Town with weights and measures." 

Having provided for the restraint of all unruly beings, whether 
bipeds or quadrupeds, by erecting stocks and building a jJotrnd, 
the people hastened to provide that religious instructi(jn which 
was designed to supersede the one and render the other almost 
unnecessary. 

•'At a publique meeting att Lexington, April y® 20th, 1713, orderly 
warned and assembled, to grant four hundred and sixteen pounds money' 
to the Committee for building the Meeting House — this was unanimously 
voted in the affirmative." 



' Stocks were regarded in those days, as an institution which no town could 
dispense with. In fact, they were required by law, and towns were frequently 
fined for not erecting and maintaining them. They were constructed of plank 
or timbers attached by a hinge or something of that sort, at one end, and so 
arranged that they could be opened and closed at pleasure. The edges of the 
plank or timbers, where they came together, were so cut or rounded out, as to 
admit the wrists, ankles, and sometimes necks of the culprits, when the stocks ^ 
were opened ; and when they were closed, the individuals put therein were held 
fast by the arm, leg, or neck, and sometimes by all at the same time, during the 
pleasure of the authorities ; for when they were closed and locked, it was 
impossible for the individual to extricate himself. These stocks were sometimes 
located in public squares, and sometimes near or in the meeting house. In 
some cases they were placed under the stairs leading to the galleries in their 
churches. In fact, being the prison where the Tythingmen confined the unruly, 
they were regarded as a necessary appendage to the meeting house — as impor- 
tant in good society as a '< sounding board " over the pulpit, or a " horse block " 
near the house. These stocks were maintained in the towns and in the coun- 
ties, and were used as places of restraint, and as instruments of punishment. 
They are frequently denominated " bilboes," in the early records. 

'The currency at that day was undergoing a depreciation. It stood, in 
1713, about twelve per cent, below par; so that the sum granted for the 
meeting house was in fact about three hundred sixty- six pounds, which would 
build a very respectable house at that period. 



G4 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

The subject of public or high ways, so important to every 
settlement, early attracted the attention of the town. Up to the 
time of their incorporation as a town, they had no jurisdiction 
over this sul)jcct. Certain roads had been laid out by Colonial 
and County authority, and the proprietors of lands had generally 
made liberal i)rovision for roads between their ranges of land ; 
but these had been generally disregarded by the subsequent 
owners, who had inclosed these reservations within their lots ; 
and besides, it must be perfectly obvious that no system of 
public ways could be adopted in advance, which would meet the 
wants of subsequent settlers. This whole matter would natu- 
rally be one of the first subjects to call for the interposition of 
the town authorities ; and it appears from then' records that it 
received earlv attention, — records which show that the former 
times were not materially different from these, and that the 
remedies efficient at that day might well be resorted to at 
this : — 

"Lexington, March y" 1st, 1713-4. — Att a meeting of the selectmen, 
discourse being on foot concerning highways that were enclosed by 
sundry persons, and a warrant was procured from a justice of the peace 
by the selectmen to open some of them, then Capt. William Reed being 
present, did say that for the peace and quietness of the town, he would 
give a highway for Thomas Kendall, and the neighborhood westerly of 
him, through his own land easterly into the town road or highway, where 
it might be convenient, for the acknowledgment of those highways that 
he hath already enclosed; and also that he would hang a gate upon the 
highway that leads to the clay ground, which is the town's interest." 

John Harrington, Joseph Tidd, John Lawrence, James Wil- 
son, Thomas Mead, Nathaniel Dunklee, Joseph Fassett, Philip 
Burdoe and others came forward and admitted that they had 
inclosed certain highways, which they would open, or pay a 
consideration to the town. 

"June 28, 1714. — At a meeting of the selectmen, it was agreed that 
John Muzzy should have their approbation to keep a publique house for 
entertainment, and his father (Benjamin Muzzy) did engage before the 
selectmen to accommodate his son John, with stable room, hay, and pas- 
turing, so far as he stood in need for the support of strangers." 

This was probably the first public house duly opened in the 
town, and was situated at or near the present residence of Mr. 
Rufus Merriam, on the easterly side of the Common. 



TO THE CLOSE OF THE FRENCH WARS. 65 

The inhabitants, by their officers, embraced an early oppor- 
tunity to define and fix the boundaries of the township. 
Committees were appointed to meet those from otlier towns 
to establish the lines and erect suitable bounds. They also 
took measures to provide a school house for the improvement of 
the rising- generation ; so that the learning obtained in the school 
might prepare the young to comprehend the teachings from the 
pulpit, and the instruction from the sacred desk might guide and 
sanctify the lessons of the school room. 

But another duty, and one of no ordinary character, devolved 
upon the town. They had caused a new meeting house to be 
erected ; but how was it to be occupied ? All were expected to 
meet within its walls ; but who should take the highest seat ? 
This was a question of great moment and of considerable deli- 
cacy, — a question which proved a source of great trouble in 
many towns at that day. The " seating of the meeting house " 
was frequently pregnant with more animosity than the buildiu"- 
of it. It was, to say the least, regarded as a grave question, 
and one to be man.aged with great wisdom and prudence. Con- 
sequently, the subject was generally referred to a large committee 
of the most judicious men, that full justice might be done to all ; 
and lest the committee themselves should, from personal interest 
or vanity, place themselves tqo high, or, from extreme diffidence 
and modesty, too low, in the scale of dignity, some towns took 
the precaution to appoint a second committee to assign seats for 
the first. It would be amusing to look at the records of diflferent 
parishes to see the instructions given to their committees on this 
subject. One record which I have before me, instructs the com- 
mittee "to dignify and seat the meeting house, according to the 
personal and real estate, and having reference to age and honor." 
Another parish record has this entry : " Chose a committee to 
seat the meeting house, and instructed them to give men their 
dignity in their sitting in proportion to their minister's rate they 
pay, allowing one poll to a rate, making such allowance for age 
as they shall think proper, except where they are tenants, and 
in these cases to act the best of their judgment." 

Nearly akin to these instructions were those given by the 
inhabitants of Lexington to their committee, chosen October 6, 
1714, to seat their new house. Ensign Joseph Bowman, 



66 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

Dca. John Merriam, Capt. William Reed, IVilliam Munroe and 
Thomas ]Mead were chosen for the purpose, and were instnicted 
to take the following elements into the account, viz. : — 

"1. It was voted that they should have respect to age. 

"2. That they should have respect to real and personal estate, so far 
as referred to the meeting house, 

"3. To have respect to but one head in a family. 

" 4. And also they are to place the children where they may be 
inspected." 

As a difference of opinion might arise in relation to the rela- 
tive "dignity" of the respective seats, some committees, to 
remove all doubt, gi-aded the dignity of the different seats as 
Jirst, second, &c. It may also be important to state that some 
towns imposed a fine upon any one who should occupy any other 
seat than the one assigned him. We may think our fathers 
rather fiistidious on tliis subject, and a little jealous of their 
" dignity " ; but it ought to be rememJjered that in those days 
the seats were all common property, and as it was desirable to 
have families sit together, and to have a permanent seat to which 
they might repair whenever they came to meeting, there was a 
convenience, at least, in having some regulation or assignment 
of the seats. And while we see, or think we see, a little vanity 
in this case, it may be well to inquire whether there is not some 
of the same feeling exhibited in our churches at the present 
day ? Is there not a little rivalry manifested whenever there is 
a sale of pews in a church? The highest seat in the syna- 
gogue has not, we apprehend, lost all its charms in our own 
time ; and if it be said that those who buy the best pews in our 
churches in these days pay the highest price for them, this only 
shows that our fathers, who were seated according to their tax, 
could put in the same plea. 

The people at that day were alive to every interest of the 
town, and showed themselves ready to make every efibrt and 
bear all reasonable burdens for the well-being of the community. 
"At a meeting of the inhabitants of Lexington, May 12, 1725, 
it was voted that the Rev. JVIr. Hancock's salary should be 
increased to eighty-five pounds." — " Voted that a rate of fifty 
pounds be made to defray the public charge in the town this 
ensuing year." In 1725, Rev. Mr. Hancock represented to the 



TO THE CLOSE OF THE FIIENCH WARS. 67 

town that his salary was not sufficient to support himself and 
family. This probably arose, in some degree at least, from the 
depreciation of the currency, which at that period had fallen 
about fifty per cent. The town, seeing the justice of his claim, 
voted him twenty pounds as a gratuity. 

Our fathers were peculiarly watchful of the morals of the 
community, and were ready, at all times, not only to do good, 
but to prevent evil, in their corporate capacity. When men 
were found idle and dissipated, they were ready to ta,ke the 
matter in hand, and as far as practicable to reform thenl,, or at 
least prevent the spread of the evil. An entry in the select- 
men's records, March 29, 1731, shows the manner in which 
such affairs were treated at that period : — 

*' Whereas there is a complaint made to the selectmen against Chris. 
Mashen, Jr., that he is very base, and threatens his parents, and lives 
idle, and neglects to provide for his family, but rather destroys what they 
have, by selling household stufl' and his clothes, and spending the money 
for drink, wherefore the selectmen have appointed Mr. Stephen Winship, 
one of the selectmen, to take care, and proceed with him, as the law 
directs." 

This kind of discipline was found to work well in the days of 
our ancestors, and it becomes a serious question whether a little 
of this paternal watchfidness would not prove beneficial at the 
present day. Our fathers adopted the maxim that " to be idle 
was to be vicious," and consequently they enjoined industry as 
one of the cardinal virtues. 

I have already spoken of the difficult task of " seating the 
meeting house," to the satisfaction of the people. Changes of 
families and of the house itself, seem to have rendered it neces- 
saiy that this work should be performed periodically. In 1731, 
the delicate task of " seatino- the meetinsr house " was ag-ain 
performed by a committee; and seats were assigned to one hun- 
dred and six heads of families. 

Having repaired and reseated the meeting house, and made 
provision, from time to time, for the support of the Rev. Mr. 
Hancock, according to his wants, the people were disposed to 
relieve him of a portion of the burdens of his office, by employ- 
ing a co-laborer with him. Accordingly, at a meeting held 
Nov. 2, 1733, they gave a call to Mr. Ebenezer Hancock, a son 



(]S HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

<^>f' their rc\orcii(l pastor, a young man higlily esteemed among 
thoin, to settle as a colleague with his father, on the following 
conditions, viz. 

•• 1. Three hundred pounds for settlement to be paid to Mr. Ebenezer 
Hancock, as soon as his father is deceased, and if he decease before that 
time, his heirs shall not care for it. 

" 2 To "-ive Mr. Hancock and liis son Ebenezer, two hundred pounds a 
year for two years, — he keeping the school as this past year now running. 
The two hundred pounds a year to begin as soon as he enters into the 
work M the ministry, but the school to begin for two years next 
May.* 

" 3. Quiting the ministerial land, the town to find him wood. 

" 4. Two hundred pounds a year without the school to Mr. Hancock 
and his son, during Mr. Hancock's life, and one hundred and thirty pounds 
a year after his decease, Avhile he continues in the ministry with them. 

"5. The vote to call him to office, put to vote whether the inhabitants 
of the Town will choose Mr. Ebenezer Hancock, and give him a call to 
the Pastoral office in this town, upon the aforementioned conditions and 
considerations, which vote was brought in by papers, and it passed in the 
affirmative by a very great majority." 

This call was accepted by ^Ir. Hancock, with a modification 
which the town readily agreed to, that in case he should die 
before his father, the three hundred pounds settlement should be 
paid to his wife and children, if he should have any. The 
px-eliminaries being settled, the ordination took place, January 
2, 1734. 

Towns and parishes w^ere so united, and their duties in many 
respects so similar, that it is difficult to draw^ the line between the 
civil and ecclesiastical history of the place. I have confined to 
the latter such events as related to the religious condition of the 
church, and the relations between them and their pastor ; — 
leaving what was performed in town meetings in the department 
of civil history. 

Many of the officers of the town and of the parish at that 
day, exercised powers and performed duties unknown and unac- 
knowledged at this day. The tythingman, and the office, which 
are now extinct, were then regarded as of the first moment. 
Instances almost without number, could be cited in which some 
of the leading men of the town were elected to that office. In 
many respects the tythingman w^as regarded with more honor, 
and his office with more- sanctity, than that of selectman — an 



TO THE CLOSE OF THE FRENCH WARS. 69 

office then held in much higher repute than at present. When 
we consider that they were a species of general police officer, 
being conservators of the peace, and also that they had the 
general care of the children and youth on the Lord's day, and 
especially at or near the house of worship, it is no wonder that 
the most sober and discreet men were generally selected for that 
office. A few extracts from the records will show the import- 
ance in which that office was held. 

" At a meeting held May 22, 1738, 

" Voted, To repair the Meeting House." 

** Voted, That y" two hinde seats in y^ lower gallery, front and side, 
are appointed for y*^ boys, to sit in on Sabbath days ; all under sixteen 
years old, and a Tythingman to sit near them each Sabbath to take care of 
them, to take their turns; and if any above sixteen years are disorderly, 
they shall be ordered into said seats." 

" Voted, That a Tythingman should be desired to attend on Sabbath 
day noons to keep y*^ boys in order in y" Meeting House." 

All the duties of tythingmen were regarded as important, and 
hence they entered upon the discharge of their official functions 
with more than ordinary formality. We accordingly find the act 
of qualifying a tythingman recorded with almost royal pomp and 
ceremony. 

"Joshua Simonds and Daniel Brown personally appeared before y" 
worshipfull Justice Bowman, May y*^ 12th, 1735, and made oath to y'^ office 
of tythingman for y* year ensuing." 

Towns like larger communities sometimes become profligate 
in their expenditures. This tends to arouse the feelings of the 
people, and they are then inclined to run into the other extreme. 
Sometimes a rivalry between candidates for office will induce 
them to bid upon each other, in which case the people at first 
will generally select the man who will serve at the lowest price. 
But in a short time, they learn that cheapening the office, natu- 
rally fills it with cheap officers, and then they will fall back upon 
the former price. It seems by the records of Lexington, that 
there was a rivalry between the Bowmans in the south part 
of the town, and the Reeds in the north. In fact, the county 
road leading from Cambridge to Concord and passing through 
the centre of the town, divided it into two nearly equal divisions. 



70 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

The records are full of this distinction of " North Side " and 
" South Side." A constable, for instance, was chosen one for the 
" North Side " and one for the " South Side." The Valuations 
and the Tax bills were made out for these sides respectively. 
All this would naturally tend to divide the people into geograph- 
ical parties. Add to this the rivalry^ between two leading and 
influential fiiniilies, the one situated in one division of the 
town, and the other in the other, would of course increase this 
feeling. 

Consequently we, find the BoAAinans and the Reeds pitted 
against each other in most of the important elections. And this 
division was so equal that one would pi*evail one year, and the 
other the next. Bowman and Eeed, and Reed and Bowman, 
appear on the record almost in regular succession. This division 
between the diiferent sections of the town — the Bowmans 
against the Reeds — the House of York afijainst the House of 
Lancaster, would naturally lead to some management, if not 
between the rival candidates, at least between their friends. 
Third parties in such cases will occasionally step in, and take the 
prize from both the contending parties. Something of tliis kmd, 
if I have not misapprehended the spirit of the record, occurred 
in some instances in the town of Lexington. The offices con- 
tested seem to have been those of Moderator, First Selectman, 
and Representative, especially the latter. Probably the contest 
for Representative gave rise to the following vote, passed at the 
May meeting, 1739. 

'* Voted, That y" person who shall be "chosen to represent y* town at y° 
Great and General Court, shall immediately engage to serve y*^ town as 
Representative at y*^ above said Court, for six shillings a day ; which 
person then chosen, viz., Mr. Joseph Fassett, accepted y" choice upon y^ 
above said vote." 

This serving as a representative at a reduced price, appears to 
have given Mr. Fassett a peculiar popularity ; for the next year 
he was chosen moderator, first selectman and representative ; 
and thus, for a short period, he threw Joseph Bowman, Esq., 
and Captain William Reed, into the shade. But popularity 
founded on such a basis proved in this case, as it generally does, 
of short duration ; for after three years he was di-opped, and 



TO THE CLOSE OF THE FRENCH WARS. 71 

then Captain Reed was elected several years in succession to 
represent tlie town. 

A representative in those days must have been an officer of 
more dignity than at present, if we are to judge by the manner 
in which it was heralded forth by our fathers. Tlie article in 
the warrant for 1739 for the choice of representative reads as 
follows : " To elect and deputise one or more persons to serve 
for and represent them at or in a great and general court or 
assembly, appointed to be convened and held and kept for his 
Magisty^s service at the court house in Boston." 

In 1740, the people of Lexington were called to mourn the 
loss of their junior pastor, when he had just completed the sixth 
year of his ministry. As there was a general feeling of satis- 
faction when he was called to share with his venerable father 
the labors of his profession and the affections of his people, so 
there was a unanimous feeling of regret that the father Avas 
so soon deprived of the aid and support of his affectionate son, 
and the parish of their devoted minister. Rev. Ebenezer Han- 
cock was highly respected and esteemed by the people, and his 
loss was severely felt. 

In 1729, a small portion of the territory of Lexington 
had been set off to form the town of Bedford, and in 1744, 
sundry inhabitants of Concord, Weston and the westerly part 
of Lexington petitioned the General Court to be erected 
into a precinct; but the town chose Joseph Bowman, Esq., 
Captain William Reed and Deacon John Stone to oppose 
the prayer of the petition, which tliey did effectually at that 
time. 

On the 6th of December, 1752, the people of Lexington 
were deprived of their beloved and venerable pastor, Rev. John 
Hancock, who had with great ability and faithfulness ministered 
to them for more than fifty-three years. As we shall speak of 
the character of Rev. Mr. Hancock more particularly under the 
head of the ecclesiastical history of the town, we will simply 
say here that his services Avere justly appreciated by his people, 
who sincerely deplored his sudden death. They had long wit- 
nessed his growing infirmities, or perhaps more properly, his 
increasing years, and had taken the precaution for several years 

to choose a committee to supply the pulpit in case of the inability 
10 



72 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

of Mr. Hancock to discharge his Avonted duties. But that 
committee had no occasion to look abroad for a supply ; for their 
venerated pastor was able to perform every duty of his sacred 
oflice to the Aery day of his death. The people had also mani- 
fested their attachment to him, and their regard for his welfare, 
by adding to his salary, from year to year, so at least as to make 
up for the depreciation of the currency ; and when he was called 
hence In- a sudden dispensation of Providence, they manifested 
their respect for his memory and sympathy for his family, by 
convening the town and ado[)ting the following votes : — 

"At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants, regularly 
assembled on December 7, 1752, — 

" Tiien made choice of Deacon Brown, moderator. 

"1. Voted, Two Hundred Pounds old tenor for a decent burial of our 
Reverend and Beloved Pastor, Mr. John Hancock, 

" 2. Chose Mr. Daniel Tidd, Mr. Benjamin Smith, Lieutenant Ebenezcr 
Fiske, a Committee to go down and provide things for said funeral. 

"3. Voted, That said Committee should give Madam Hancock and her 
children the offer of the Town Grant for the funeral, if they see cause to 
take up with it, and they provide said funeral. 

"4. Voted, To choose a Committee to provide at Madam Hancock's 
house, and assist there at the funeral, viz. : Mr. Joseph Bridge, Mr. 
Joseph Tidd, Mr. Thaddeus Bowman, Mr. John Hoar, and Mr. Joseph 
l^oring. 

" Voted, That Mr. Samuel Bridge should provide five hundred bricks, 
in order to brick said grave." 

The Committee appointed to provide for the funeral of ]Mr. 
Hancock presented a bill to the town of £219, which was 
readily alloAved. I will state one item of their bill, as it casts 
light upon the manners and customs of that period : " Granted 
an order to pay Mr. Jacob Html £4.01.01, it being in full for 
six i-ings for y^ Bearers of our Reverend and Beloved Pastor, 
Mr. John Hancock." 

After the death of ]\Ir. Hancock, the town chose a committee, 
consisting of Deacon Joseph Brown, Deacon John Stone, 
"William Reed, Esq., Captain Benjamin Reed and Mr. Isaac 
Bowman, to provide for the pulpit till others should be chosen ; 
and they instructed said committee " to make dilegente inquire 
after a gentleman suitable to settele." 

After hearing Mr. Steai-ns, Mr. Barnes and ]\Ir. Putnam a 



TO THE CLOSE OF THE FRENCH WARS. 73 

few Sabbaths each, the town voted, April 8, 1754, "to keep 
a day of fasting and prayer on the 25th of the above said April, 
in preparation for a ehoice." 

The church and society, in June, 1754, invited Mr. Aaron 
Putnam, wlio, in consequence of the want of unanimity in the 
call, declined the in\itati()n. 

.Vfter receiving the negative answer from ^Ir. Putnam, Mr. 
AMllard, ]\rr. ]Minot and ]Mr. Clarke were employed a few 
Sabbaths each; when, on the 19th day of ^lay, 1755, the 
inhaliitants were called together to see if they would concur 
with the church in "-ivinu: Mr. Jonas Clarke an invitation to 
become their minister. The result is thus stated in the 
record : — 

"Y" Congregation concurred so far as they brought in 51 yeas; but 
there were 16 nays. 

"Then the Town voted, £133.00.8 settlement for Mr. Clarke in case he 
settled with us as our Pastor, — the one half of s<i sum to b^ paid in six 
months after his ordination, — the other moiety, eighteen months after his 
ordination. 

"Also voted eighty Pounds to be his yearly salary for to support him in 
ye ■,,rork of y*^ ministry in this Town. 

"Voted, That the said Mr. Clarke, in case he takes up, and is settled 
as our pastor, shall forever as such, quit all manner of claim, title or 
interest in or unto any part of y* Ministerial land in this Town." 

After some further neg-otiation in relation to granting him a 
number of cords of wood, in addition to the eighty pounds, 
offered as his annual salary, the church and congregation agreed 
to vote together on the question of giving him a call, and on 
counting the yeas and nays it was found that seventy had voted 
in the affirmative and only three in the negative. The town also 
voted to furnish Mr. Clarke twenty cords of wood annually, in 
addition to his salary. 

The preliminaries being thus settled, the 5th of November, 
1755, was agreed upon for the ordination, and the churches in 
Cambridge, Newton, Medford, Sherburn, Watertown, Lincoln, 
Weston, and Waltham, were invited to assist in the ordination. 
To use the language of Mr. Clarke himself, "The Elders and 
Messengers of most of said churches appearing in the morning, 
and having chosen the Rev. Mr. John Cotton, Moderator, they 



74 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

proceeded, earnestly imploring the divine Blessing, unto Ordina- 
tion. The Rev. ]Mr. Lawrence beginning the solemnity with 
pravcr ; the Rev. j\Ir. Appleton preached, the Rev. Mr. Cotton 
gave the Charge, and the Rev. Mr. Cook the Right Hand of 
Fellowship." 

Thus was the town of Lexington, after being destitute of a 
settled minister nearly three years, blessed with a pastor, whose 
Bubsequcnt labors and character showed that he was a pastor 
indeed, guiding his ]>e()ple safely both in temporal and spiritual 
things, during his life, and leaving a name which will be fondly 
cherished by every patriot and every Christian. The name and 
services of Rev. Jonas Clarke are so interwoven with the history 
of Lexington, that we shall have occasion frequently to allude to 
him hereafter. 

In 17o4, John Flint and others residing in the southeasterly 
part of Concord, in the southwesterly pait of Lexington, and in 
the })art of Weston adjoining, petitioned the General Court to 
be set off from these towns respectively, and be incorporated as 
a town or precinct. This was successfully resisted at the time ; 
but the petition AVas renewed the following year. Lexington 
chose a committee consisting of Francis Bowman, John Mason, 
and Joseph Brown, to oppose the prayer of the petitioners. In 
their remonstrance, dated September 10, 1735, they allege that 
many within the territory were opposed to the petition, that 
some who had signed the petition were " very unqualified per- 
sons," that most of the petitioners from Lexington constantly 
attended church there, that they had voted to settle Rev. Eben- 
ezer Hancock, and ought to remain and help pay him, that the 
roads were being improved, and that they were well accommo- 
dated as they were. The remonstrants prevailed again, as they 
had the preceding year. 

But in 1744, a similar petition found favor Avith the Court, 
and a precinct was created, granting, however, the privilege to 
several persons within the territory, to be exempt from its opera- 
tion, if they should so elect. In 1753, Chambers Russell, Esq., 
and others within the territory, were chosen a committee to 
petition the Legislature to be incorporated as a town. Capt. 
William Reed and Deacon Stone appeared for the toAvn of Lex- 
ington to oppose the petition, but without success. On the 19th 



TO THE CLOSE OF THE FRENCH WARS. 75 

of April, 1754, the town was incorporated by the name of* 
Lincoln. The name Avas given by Chambers Russell, Esq., 
after Lincolnshire, England, the residence of his ancestors. 

The creation of this town reduced the territory and population 
of Lexington, and so- impeded its groAvth. I find no accurate 
description of the line or the amount of territory taken from 
Lexington on the public records. But Josiah Parker, one of 
the assessors of Lexington for that year, and avIio from his long 
experience in that office, AA^as aa'gII qualified to judge, and Avhose 
intimate ac(]uaintance Avith tlie premises and the aaIioIc subject 
enabled him to knoAA- the facts, has left imder his oaaii hand the 
following important document m the archiAcs of the State. 

Lexington, May 27, 1754. 
The following is an account of that part of the town of Lexington, 

which has lately been taken from us, and now makes a part of a new 

township known by the name of Lincoln. 

The whole number of acres in Lexington was, . . . 11,000 
Out of which is taken, ....... 974 

The number of polls was, ....... 215 

Out of which is taken, ....... 14 

The Valuation of said town was, . . . . , £ 6,000 

Out of which is taken, ......£ 372 As. 

Lexington's Province tax in 1753 was, . . . £ 55 10s. 
Of which those taken paid, . . . . . . £ 3 5s. Qd. 

What is taken off of Lexington is computed to be about one-sixteenth 
part of said town ; as to the number of acres it is about one-eleventh part. 

JosiAH Pakker, 

Assessor. 

The line of Lexington formerly included the places Avhere Mr. 
Gregory Stone, Mr. Leonard Hoar, Mr. Nelson, and scA'eral 
others of Lincoln noAv reside. 

In 1756, there was a Avarm controversy relatiA'c to a choice of 
Representative. The selectmen were arraigned before the Gen- 
eral Court, charged Avith improper conduct in managing the toAvn 
meeting. The selectmen vindicated their course, and the whole 
affair ended in calling another meeting, and electing a Represen- 
tatiA'e. 

There are many little incidents occurring in a community, and 
many things w^hich find their Avay upon public records of but 



70 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

littlo moment in themselves, ^vliich nevertheless show the spirit 
of the times, the feeHngs of the people, and the motives by 
Avhieh individtuils and bodies of men are actuated. Of this 
ciiaracter are the foHowing : 

At a mcetinp: of the freeholders. May 7, 1756, 

" Benjamin Reed, Es(i., paid to Mr. James Stone, Town Treasurer, y^ 
sum of £ 5 4. 0. it being y<^ wages, be received for y" time he did not 
actually attend the General Court last year." 

At a meeting of the selectmen, June 2S, 1755, 

" The Selectmen appointed Mr. Cornelius Mead to see that brute crea- 
tures that dve of any distemper, be buried according to a law of the 
Trovince." 

At a meeting of tlie inhabitants of Lexington, held March 7, 
1757, the following note was handed to the Moderator. 

" To the Inhabitants of the Town of Lexington, 

" Oentlemen,—Y'' Public expenses in general, and those of this Town in 
particular, being at present not small, if you will accept of the sum of six 
pounds, thirteen shillings and fourpence, of my salary for the present year, 
you will greatly oblige, Gentlemen, your sincere friend and hearty well- 
wisher, 

"Jonas Clarke.'' 

At a town meeting held May 14, 1757, 

" Voted, That whoever shall be chosen to represent y^ Town at y^ Great 
and General Court this year, shall return into the Town Treasury, all y* 
money that shall be made up in y" General Court's list for the representa- 
tive, above three shillings a day for attending at y" Great and General 
Court ; and except y" person chosen doth promise to return said money as 
aforesaid, the Town to proceed to y" choice of another." 

This vote was repeated several years in succession, and such 
was the patriotism of the age, that men enough were found 
willing to serve their country at that reduced rate. 

About the time of the settlement of Mr. Clarke, the town 
appointed a committee to repair their meeting house ; and as one 
improvement naturally makes way for another, they were im- 
pressed with the idea that their bell was not sufficiently large to 
bring in a congregation, commensurate with the capacity of the 



TO THE CLOSE OF THE FRENCH WARS. 77 

house. This feehng prevailing, at a town meeting held June 
15, 1761, 

'* Mr. Isaac Stone came into said Meeting and gave the Town a Bell to be 
for the Town's use forever — which Bell was there, and weighed Four Hun- 
dred and Sixty Three pounds — for which the Moderator in the name of 
the Town, returned him thanks." 

" Then Voted, To hang y"^ Bell on y'' top of y'^ Hill upon y*' south side 
of Lieut. James Munroe's house. A Committee was chosen to erect a 
convenient building on y" aforesaid Hill to hang y® Bell on. 

" Voted, To take timber from the ministerial land for said building." 

It appears that the town took a deep interest in this liberal 
gift of Mr. Stone, and resolved to use it in a manner calculated 
to fill the eye, and please the ear, as far as practicable ; for at an 
adjournment of the meeting 'two days after, they 

" Voted, To case the Bell free with white pine boards. 
" Voted, To cover y" roof with pitch pine and shingle it. 
" Voted, To leave it to y'' Committee, to let out y" Bell free by y" great, 
or by y® day as they think best." 

The following year the committee rendered their account for 
building this "Bell free," which amounted to £ 21 12s. lO.W. 

But the attention of the people to the new bell and the " Bell 
free," did not, it appears, render them unmindful of the meeting- 
house itself; for at a town meeting held March 14, 1763, they 
voted " to couliour y^ Meeting Plouse att y'^ back of y* Pulpit 
the same couliour the Pulpit is coulioured." 

In speaking of the pulpit and preacher, we should not forget 
the school house and the school master. They are kindred insti- 
tutions, and cannot safely be dissevered. Up to 1714 the schools 
were kept in private houses, but at that time a school house was 
erected in the centre of the town, and schools were established in 
the out-parts of the town, kept generally by females. As it is 
proposed to treat of the public schools of the town in a separate 
chapter, I will only say here, that our fathers, ever true to the 
great cause of education, have made suitable provision in all 
portions of their history to educate the rising generation. In 
this town from year to year, money has been appropriated to be 
expended under committees appointed for the purpose, so that 
the children and youth might be fitted for usefulness. In fact it 



78 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

seems to have been the policy of the people in this, as in almost 
every other town, to lay the foundations of our institutions upon 
science and relifrion ; consequently they have expended their hard 
earnings freely, that their children might be instructed in science 
that their lives may be useful — and instructed in religion that 
their death may be happy. 

As this chapter is designed to carry the general history of the 
town up to the close of the French war in 1763, it seems proper 
to take a general ^•iew of the town from its incorporation to that 
period. The French and Indian wars fill an important page in 
the history of the town and the Colony. The dangers to which 
the people were exposed, the repeated drafts that were made 
upon their men and their means, the sufferings of the soldiers, 
and the great loss of life, in the camp and in the field, give to 
this part of our history a thrilling interest ; and were it not for 
the more recent struggles, which gave us a place among the 
nations of the earth, and which have shown to the world that we 
can support our Union, the "old French wars," as they have 
been denominated, would be regarded as the most important era 
in our annals. Viewed in the light of the philosophy of history, 
these wars may be regarded as among the primary causes of our 
free institutions. They were contests between Catholic France 
and Protestant England for supremacy in North America ; and 
upon their result hung, in a great degree, the destiny of these 
Colonies and the cherished hopes of our Puritan ancestors. Not 
only the religious, but the political fate of New England was 
in a manner involved in the contest. Great Britain had, at an 
early day, asserted her right to legislate for the Colonies, — a 
right which the Colonies had denied. But while they had 
asserted their right to raise their own money, call out their 
own troops and make their own laAvs, the colonists had ever 
])rofessed their readiness to sustain His Majesty's Colonies, 
protect His ^Majesty's posessions, and defend, with their lives and 
fortunes, His Majesty's right on this continent. These wars 
gave them an opportunity to redeem their pledges, and so to lay 
a broad foundation for the gratitude of the parent country. 

The French wars not only gave our fathers a juster apprecia- 
tion of their rights, but impressed them with a consciousness 
of their ability to maintain and defend them. Men who had 



TO THE CLOSE OF THE FRENCH WARS. 79 

taken Louisburg from the veteran troops of France, who served 
under England's most experienced commanders, and contributed 
largely to the conquest of Canada, felt that they had rendered 
their sovereign essential service, and were justly entitled to the 
consideration of the crown. They had also acquired that 
knowledge of military science, and that experience in the art 
of war, which enabled them to meet the shock of the Revolution 
unmoved, and to persevere to the end of that glorious contest. 

But these wars, though they were a part of the stern discipline 
to prepare the people for the Revolutionary struggle, were a great 
drain upon the Colony ; and the actual sufferings and hardships 
endured by the soldiers in the field and the people at home, were 
as gi'eat, if not greater, than those experienced during the 
war of independence. The rolls of the service in these early 
wars' are very imperfect, and in some cases are entirely lost ; so 
that Ave are unable to give the number of soldiers furnished by 
Lexington. From a thorough examination, however, we are 
able to state that the number was large, considering that the 
population of the town at the close of the war, in 1763, could 
not have been over six hundred. In 1740-1, an expedition was 
fitted out against the Spanish West India settlements, Cuba 
being the principal object. Five hundred men were furnished 
by Massachusetts, and such were the accidents of the expedition, 
and such the mortality among the troops, that only fifty of the 
number returned. No regular rolls of that service have been 
found ; but we have been able to find tlic names of six men from 
Lexington . 

In 1745, the memorable expedition against Louisburg was 
fitted out ; Massachusetts furnished three thousand two himdred 
and fifty of the four thousand and seventy men comprising that 
expedition. The rolls of the troops are not found in the archives 
of the State, it being generally supposed that they were sent to 
England as vouchers. It is not, therefore, possible to state the 
number of men from this toAvn. But as every town, esj)ecially 
near the seaboard, furnished more or less men, it is safe to con- 
clude that Lexington was represented in that brilliant expedition. 
In fact the obituary notices give the names of several who died 
at Cape Breton that year, and hence it follows with almost math- 
ematical certainty that they were soldiers, 
11 



80 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

In 1748, there were three Lexington men in the service; in 
1754, four ; in 1755, there "vvere twenty-three ; in 1756, twenty- 
four ; in 1757, thu-ty-thrcc ; in 1758, nine; in 1759, six; in 
17(30, forty; in 1761, five, and in 1762, twenty-eight. The 
rolls of the service are imperfect at best. Some of them are 
lost, and others are so dihipidated that many of the names are 
illegible. Besides, many of the rolls do not give tlie name of 
the town Avhere the soldier resided. Under these circumstances 
it is impossible to give a full list of those who were in the service. 
The true number nuist have been greater than stated above. 
Enouo-h however is known to justify the statement that Lexing- 
ton was not behind her sister towns in responding to the calls of 
the country. In fact few, if any towns, numbering only about 
six hundred inhabitants, and remote from the scene of danger, 
sent forth a larger number of men. 

The effects of these exhausting wars must have been great 
upon every town in the Province. Nothing retards the growth 
of population like war. Of the soldiers called into service, 
those who fall in battle make but a small part of those lost to 
their respective towns. Many fall a prey to disease, and many 
more to the vices of the camp and the habits of roving and idle- 
ness, and so never return to their respective towns. Besides, the 
soldiers in the field generally belong to the producing class, so 
far as population is concei-ned. Many young men retm'n com- 
paratively poor, and so are not in a condition to support a family ; 
consequently if they marry at all, marry late in life. I mention 
these things to account for the fact that the population of Lex- 
ington was nearly stationary, during the French and the Revolu- 
tionary wars. 

There are many things in the manners and customs of those 
days Avhich appear singular to us. The system of "Warning 
out of town," is among them. The General Court had autlior- 
ized towns to take this precaution, to prevent strangers from 
becoming a town charge as paupers. The * practical working of 
this system Avas this : when any family or single person, even to 
a domestic in a family, came into town, the head of the family, 
or person owning the premises, was required to give' notice to 
the selectmen of the names and numbers of the new comers, the ' 
place whence they came, the date of their coming into town, and 



TO THE CLOSE OF THE FRENCH WARS. 81 

tlioir pecimiarv condition. If the selectmen thought there was 
clanger of their becoming a pubHc charge, they caused them to 
be warned to leave the town, and to have a caufion, as it wa.s 
termed, entered with the Court of Sessions. This matter appears 
on our records as early as 1714, when " Capt. Joseph Estabrook 
was authorized to request the Honorable Court of Sessions in 
June next, to enter cautions against Daniel Cutting and wife, 
Sarah Cook, and Johanna Snow, that they might not be bur- 
thensome to Lexington." In 1722, Daniel Roff with his family 
were ordered to depart out of Lexington. We will add a feAV 
specimens of these notices. 

" Lexington, Jan. 6, 1761. 
** To the Selectmen, Gentlemen : Those are to inform you that on the 
19th of December last past, I took widow Elizabeth Sampson, as a house- 
keeper, from Harvard, that being her last place of residence ; she being 
under good circumstances. 

" John Bridge." 

*' To the Selectmen of the Town of Lexington. 

'* Gent: These are to inform you that I have received into my house to 
reside with me, Abigail Stone, on or about y^ 12th of May. Her last 
place of residence, Woburn. Her circumstances I believe are low. 

" James Robbing." 
•• May 29, 1762." 

"At December Court, 1760, Caution was entered against Edmand Dix, 
Hannah Stockbridge, Ann Hodge, and Hannah Ross, as the law directs." 

•'Widow Abigail Whittemore informs that on the 26th day of Decem- 
ber, 1755, she took into her house as inmates her son-in-law, Nathaniel 
Whittemore, with his wife and child, under poor circumstances. They 
came from Lincoln. She informed, Jan. 5, 1756." 

" At a meeting of the Selectmen, Aug. 27, 174-4, Allowed Constable 
Daniel Brown, 3 shillings for warning Richard Hutchinson out of town. 

" Also ordered the Clerk to draw a warrant and give it to the Constable 
to warn Archabal Mackintosh and his family, forthwith to depart out of 
Lexington." 

These examples, which are taken promiscuously from the 
records, show the manner in which business was done at that 
time, and the general supervision which the authorities took of 
public, or as some might say, private affairs. It seems by the 



82 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

examples that a gentleman could not hire a man to live with him, 
or a girl to work in his family, or allow a tenant to occupy his 
house, or a house under his care, without giving notice thereof 
to the selectmen. .Vnd it is Avorthy of remark that these notices 
have been given of the incoming of certain individuals, who 
have afterwards become some of the most respectable and influ- 
ential men in the town. Some of the young women whose 
ingress into town was thus publicly heralded, won the hearts of 
some of the permanent residents, and became the mothers of 
some of Lexington's most honored citizens. And Avhen the calls 
of our country required the services of her patriotic sons, several 
of the very men who had been " warned out of toAvn," were 
among the first to obey the call. Whether these measures were 
wise or unwise, I will not attempt to decide ; but will ven- 
ture the remark, that such regulations would not cheerfully be 
acquiesced in at the present day. 

Tlie groimd on which this rigid policy was justified, was that 
the town might be apprised of immigration into the township, 
so that they might warn them out, and thereby prevent their 
becoming a charge as paupers in case they should need assistance. 
This rule was so strictly adhered to, that persons ha^dng ser- 
vants come to live with them were compelled, either to send them 
out of town, or give bonds that they should never become a 
town charge. I will mention one case which may serve as 
a specimen : In 1769, William Reed had a negro servant 
named Pompey, and he gave a bond to the town in the sum 
of fifty pounds. Having the instrument before me, I will cite 
its terms : — 

"The Condition of this obligation is such, that if the above Bounded 
William Reed, his heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns, shall from 
time to time, and at all times forever hereafter, saue j* town of Lexington 
harmless, from any charge arising for the support or maintenance of his 
negro man servant, named Pompi ; then this obligation to be void and of 
none effect. But if otherwise, to stand and remain in full force and 
vertue. 

"Signed, Wm. Reed." 
" In the Presence of 

" Benj. Brown. 
"Thad. Brown." 



TO THE CLOSE OF THE FRENCH WARS. 83 

There is one iniportant fact wliicli should be stated in con- 
nection with this practice of giving notice of the arrival of 
strangers, and of warning them out of town through fear of their 
becoming a public charge : it was more benevolent and humane 
than a practice sometimes adopted after this regulation became 
obsolete. Many cases have, since that period, occurred where 
poor persons, coming into a town, have been fitted out with a 
small supply of food on condition that they should go on to 
another town ; and sometimes they have been taken, without any 
conditions or assent, and carried in the night time and set~down 
within the limits of another town. Such practices savor of 
inhumanity, and show that our fathers had not, at that day, 
learned the true system of providing almshouses for the support 
and comfort of the poor and unfortunate. 

During the period under review in this chapter, active meas- 
ures were adopted to improve the roads for the accommodation 
of the public travel, and to provide better means for the educa- 
tion of the rising generation. 

We may smile at the follies of the past, and think our fathers 
inhuman and illiterate, but we should remember the spirit of the 
age ; and, when we compare them with the mass of the people 
at that time on the Eastern continent, we shall find them in 
advance of the age in which they lived ; and I fear that if they 
were compared with the present generation, and all things 
taken into the account, we should find no great cause for self- 
exaltation. If we should point to our public charities, as 
evidence of our moral advance, I fear they might safely con- 
front us with their patient industry, their prudent economy, and 
strict integrity. If we should charge them with being too strict 
in the observance of religious rites, they might with equal justice 
charge us with being too lax ; if they believed too much, we 
believe too little ; if they were too rigid, we are too pliant ; if 
they were inclined to ascribe ordinary events to the immediate 
hand of God, many at the present day are inclined to ascribe all 
events to the laws of brute matter, and thereby exclude God 
from the universe. If they had their ghosts and hobgoblins, we 
have our spiritual rappings ; and if they had those among them 
who held intercourse with familiar spirits who would lie and 
deceive, we have mediums who hold communication with spirits 



84 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

in the "lower circles," who play "tricks upon travellers," and 
sport with the credulity of the people. 

Our faults and infirmities may assume different forms from 
those of our forefathers, but for downrij^ht folly and extrava- 
gance, for the neglect of privileges and opportunities, I fear that 
in the eye of Infinite A\ isdoni we shall appear nearly on a level 
with them. They were imperfect, and we lack perfection. 
Appetites and passions, lusts for wealth and dominion, exist in 
every age. Our fathers were not free from them ; but if they 
thirsted for broad acres, and seemed desirous of adding farm to 
farm, that the surface of the earth might be theirs, we, not 
content to float upon the surface, desire to dive into the bowels 
of the earth, that all its hidden treasures may be ours. They 
were not our equals in reckless speculation. 

But comparisons being generally odious and unprofitable, true 
wisdom requires us to improve the present, rather than censure 
the past ; and if we have arisen above the follies of our fathers, 
it is because they, as pioneers, prepared the way for us, and so 
enabled us to stand on vantage ground. 



CHAPTER III. 

CIVIL HISTORY FROM 1763 TO 1775. 

The Natural Expectations of the Colonists — The Stamp Act — Instructions to 
the Representative — Declaration of Rights, and Resolutions — Endorse- 
ment of the Doings of Boston — Committee of Correspondence chosen — 
The Stamp Act repealed — The Importation of Tea — Resolutions in Oppo- 
sition to the Importation and Use of the Tea — Pleasures of Preparation for 
the Last Appeal — A Pledge that they would support their Resolutions with 
their Fortunes and their Lives — The Certainty of a Conflict. 

The bloody contest with the French and Indians was over. 
Canada was conquered ; and the domain of North America was 
secured to 'Protestant England. The stern Puritans, who had 
served so heroically, and we may add prayerfully, in the cause, 
and who had given success to the arms of Great Britain, were 
filled with rejoicing. They had proved their devotion to the 
crown, and had contributed largely to the extension of His 
Majesty's possessions in North America ; and, by so doing, had 
secured to themselves the great blessing of enjoying undisturbed 
the freedom of Congregational worship. They also flattered them- 
selves, that the king they had served, the country whose interest 
they had promoted, and the ministry whose administration they 
had contributed to make illustrious, would gratefully remember 
the services rendered, and treat their faithful colonists, not only 
with justice, but with generosity. They expected, and had a 
right to expect, that, as they had shared with the mother country 
the dangers and the burdens of these protracted struggles, they 
should at least be left in peace, to recover from their exhaustion 
by their own industry and frugality. 

In this general expectation the good people of Lexington 
participated. They had experienced the dangers, encountered 
the hardships, and felt the exhaustion of the war ; and they 
needed repose. Lexington according to her population had 



86 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

furnislied a large number of men. Her citizens who had ren- 
dered distinguished service to their king and country, had 
rctui-ned to their homes and famihes, to engage in their industrial 
pursuits, to render their families more comfortable, and to 
retrieve their ruined fortunes ; and by their manly exertion and 
strict frugality, to bear their share of the taxes incident to the 
•war and at the same time contribute to the maintenance of civil 
and religious institutions in theii' native town. Industry revived 
in the place, and the people were exerting themselves to improve 
their highways, and increase the facilities for the education of 
their children, and thus promote the prosperity of the town. 
But these dreams of peace and prosperity were disturbed by inti- 
mations that the ministry they had served with so much fidelity, 
and in whose cause they had cheerfully made such sacrifices, 
instead of requiting these favors with kindness, were meditating a 
system of unjust exaction and servitude, greater than anything 
to which the colonists had ever before been subjected. 

In fact, while the colonists Avere freely pouring out their blood 
and treasure in support of the croAvn, and His Majesty's posses- 
sions in America, the ministry were meditating a plan by which 
the colonists should not only support their OAvn government, but 
contribute to the maintenance of that power which had oppressed 
them. This was to be done by enlarging the prerogatives of 
the home government at the expense of the colonial charters. 
These contemplated encroachments were looked upon by the 
people of Massachusetts with peculiar jealousy, and by none 
more than by the people of Lexington. They had served the 
king witli fidelity, and they claimed justice at his hands. Their 
proximity to the town of Boston, against which British tyranny 
seemed, from the first, to be mainly directed, made them alive to 
everything whicli tended to impair the prosperity of their pi-iu- 
cipal market. Besides there were causes operating within the 
town itself, which served to keep up a high tone of patriotic 
feeling. The men who had fought as faithful English subjects 
in defence of English institutions, and also to acquire a larger 
domain for the crown, felt that they were entitled to the rights of 
English subjects. They had paid too dearly for their homes and 
firesides, to be willing to have them invaded by the nation they 
had served. The military experience they had had, and the 



CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. 87 

knowledge of arms they liad acquired, gave them confidence in 
their own strength, so that they were not to be intimidated by 
any thi'eat of enforcing oppressive hiws at the point of the 
bayonet. 

There was another general cause in operation in the colonies 
to make the people jealous of their rights, and awake to the 
spirit of liberty. The clei-gy in those days exercised a controlling 
influence in their respective parishes. In most of the country 
towns the minister was the only educated man in the place, and 
consequently was consulted on all great questions, more fre- 
quently than any other individual. And as the great theme of 
that day was that of religious freedom, the clergy were almost 
uniformly found on the side of liberty. They knew that reli- 
gious and civil rights were so nearly allied, that they must stand 
or fall together. They had taught the necessity of resisting 
oppression, during the French war. The voice of the clergy 
at that period was on the side of defending our rights at every 
hazard. "An injured and oppressed people, whose destruction 
and overthrow is aimed at by unreasonable men, ought, surely, 
to stand upon their defence, and not tamely submit to their 
incui'sions and violence."^ Such was the feeling of that day. It 
pervaded the whole community in a greater or less degree. But 
in no town was this doctrine inculcated with more force or fidelity 
than in Lexington. Their clergyman, the Rev. Jonas Clarke, 
was a man of decided ability, who was capable of comprehend- 
ing the whole subject in all its bearings, of showing the intimate 
connection between civil and religious liberty, and of enforcing 
the high and important duty of fidelity to God, by maintaining 
the liberties of the people. He not only sympathized with his 
brethren generally on these subjects, and acted in harmony with 
them in inculcating the duty of patriotism ; but in everything 
pertaining to human rights, and the sacred obligation to maintain 
them, he w^as one who took the lead. Understanding the whole 
subject perfectly, and having a controlling influence in his own 
parish, he had brought the people up to a high state of enlight- 
ened patriotism. No man better understood the civil rights of 
the colonists than the Rev. Mr. Clarke, and no man was more 

'Fast Sermon of Mr. Maccarty, of Worcester, 1759. 
12 



88 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

successful in infusing his feelings into the great body of the 
people around him. lender these circvunstances, it would be 
strange if the people of Lexington were not fully alive to the 
encroachments of the mother country, and ready at all times to 
maintain their own rights. 

In March, 17G5, the first of a series of measures for taxing 
the colonics passed the British Parliament, and soon after 
received the sanction of the crown. This roused the just indig- 
nation of the American people. 

On the 21st of October, 17G5, a town meeting was held in 
Lexington, to see what Instructions the town would give in rela- 
tion to the Stamp Act. The subject was referred to the select- 
men, consisting of James Stone, Thaddeus Bowman, Kobert 
Harrington, Benjamin Brown, and Samuel Stone, Jr., for tlieir 
consideration, who being didy prepared, submitted at once a 
draft of Instructions. It is but justice to the memory of Mr. 
Clarke to say that this paper, as well as several other able papers 
recorded in our town book, were from his pen. The' committee 
who reported them, though undoubtedly sensible and patriotic 
men, laid no claim to that finished scholarship which character- 
izes this and the other papers to which reference is made. There 
is internal evidence of their authorship, and it has ever been 
conceded that they were written by Mr. Clarke ; and as further 
evidence of the fact, I have now before me the oi'iginal draft of 
one of these papers in INIr. Clarke's own handwriting. The 
instructions are so fraught with wisdom, so patriotic in their 
doctrines, and reflect so fully the sentiments of the people of the 
town who adopted them unanimously, that I will give them in ftJl. 

'• To William Reed, Esq. the jjresent Representative of Lexington : — 

*' Sir, — We have looked upon men as beings naturally free. And it is 
a truth -which the history of ages, and the common experience of man- 
kind have fully confirmed, that a people can never be divested of these 
invaluable rights and liberties, which are necessary to the happiness of 
individuals, to the well-being of communities, or to a well regulated state ; 
but by their own negligence, imprudence, timidity or rashness. They are 
seldom lost, but when foolishly forfeited or tamely resigned. 

"And therefore, when we consider the invaluable rights and liberties 
we now possess, the firmness and resolution of our fathers, for the support 
and preservation of them for us, and how much we owe to ourselves and 
to posterity, we cannot but look upon it as an unpardonable neglect, any 



CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. 89 

longer to delay expressing bow deeply we are concerned in some measures 
adopted by the late ministry, and how much we fear from some acts lately 
passed in the British Parliament, which appear to us not only distressing 
to the trade and commerce of this Province, but subversive of several 
of our most invaluable, internal rights, as well as privileges ; and from 
which we apprehend the most fatal consequences, 

•'What of all most alarms us, is an Act commonly called the Stamp Act; 
the full execution of which we apprehend would divest us of our most 
inestimable charter rights and privileges, rob us of our character as free 
and natural subjects, and of almost everything we ought, as a people, to 
hold dear. 

"Admitting there was no dispute, as to the right of Parliament to 
impose such an Act upon us, yet we cannot forebear complaining of it in 
itself considered, as unequal and unjust, and a yoke too heavy for us to 
bear. And that not only as it falls heaviest upon the poor, the widow and 
the fatherless, and the orphan ; not only as It will embarrass the trade and 
business of this infant country, and so prevent remittances to England ; 
but more especially as the duties and penalties Imposed by It, are numer- 
ous, and so high that it will quickly drain the country of the little cash 
remaining in it, strip multitudes of their property, and reduce them to 
poverty ; and In a short time render it utterly impossible for the people to 
subsist under it; and what will be the consequences of this to our friends 
in Great Britain, as well as to ourselves, is easily seen,' 

" But we humbly conceive this Act to be directly repugnant to those 
rights and privileges granted us in our Charter, which we always hold 
sacred, as confirmed to us by the Royal word and seal, and as frequently 
recognized by our Sovereign and the Parliament of Great Britain, wherein 
it is expressly granted to us and to our children, that we shall have and 
enjoy all liberties and Immunities of free and natural subjects, within any 
of his Majesty's Dominions, to all intents, constructions, and purposes, as 
if we were every one of us born In his Majesty's realm of England, And 
further that the full power and authority to impose and levy proportionable 
and reasonable taxes, upon the estates and persons of all the inhabitants 
within the Province, for the support and defence of his Majesty's Govern- 
ment, are granted to the General Court or Assembly thereof. 

•' But by this Act a tax, yea a heavy tax, is imposed, not only without 
and beside the authority of said General Court, in which this power, which 
has never been forfeited nor given up, is said to be fully and exclusively 
lodged, but also in direct opposition to an essential right or privilege of 
free and natural subjects of Great Britain, who look upon It as their darling 
and constitutional right never to be taxed but by their own consent, in 
person or by their Representatives. 

' By this Act, a ream of bail bonds, stamped, cost £100 ; a ream of common 
printed ones before had been sold for £15. A ream of stamped policies of 
insurance cost £190; a ream of common ones without stamps, £20, Other 
papers were taxed in the same proportion. 



90 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

" It Is vain to pretend (as has been pretended) that we are virtually or 
in any just sense, represented in Parliament ; when it is well known that so 
far from this, our humble Petitions and decent Remonstrances, prepared 
and sent home by the Representative body of this people, were not 
admitted a hearing in Parliament, even at the time when those measures 
and acts from which we apprehend so much, were depending in the Hon. 
House of Commons; — a hardship which greatly adds to the grievance, 
and seems to intimate, that we have but too little to hope in consequence 
of the most humble and dutiful steps. 

" However, this is not all. By this Act we are most deeply affected, as 
hereby we are debarred of being tried by juries in case of any breach, or 
supposed breach of it — a right which until now, we have held in common 
with our brethren in England — a right which under Providence has 
been the great barrier of justice, the support of liberty and property 
in Great Britain and America — a right which is the glory of the British 
Government. 

"The Great Charter of England, commonly called Magna Charta, 
happily provided for all free and natural subjects of the realm of England, 
that no amercement shall be assessed but by the oath of honest and lawful 
men of the vicinage, and that no freeman shall be taken or imprisoned or 
disseized of his freehold or liberties, or free customs, nor passed upon, nor 
condemned, but by the lawful judgment of his peers, or by the law of the 
land ; but instead of this most important right, such is the extension of 
power given by this Act to Courts of Admiralty, that all offences against 
it may be heard and tried and determined in said courts, to the entire sub- 
version of this important right, confirmed to us by the Great Charter and 
our own. 

"This we apprehend will open a door to numberless evils which time 
only can discover ; at least It will oftentimes oblige us to risk our fortunes, 
our liberties and characters, upon the judgment of one, and perhaps a 
stranger, or perhaps that which Is worse. This will subject us entirely to 
the mercy of avaricious informers, who may at pleasure summon us from 
one part of the Province to the other upon suspicion of the least offence, 
and thus bring upon innocent persons a sort of necessity of pleading guilty 
by paying the penalty, to avoid a* greater expense. And this being the 
state of things, what will then be necessary but a weak or wicked person 
for a judge ; and from natural and free-^orn subjects, we shall quickly 
become the most abject slaves — wholly cut off from our last resource — 
hope of redress ! 

" These, sir, being the real sentiments of us, the freeholders and other 
inhabitants of the town, of this Act, as in its nature and effects considered, 
you cannot be surprised to find us greatly alarmed and deeply affected. 
And therefore, at the same time that we are firmly resolved in all possible 
ways to express our filial duty and loyalty to our Sovereign, and a due 
veneration for both Houses of Parliament ; we do also as concerned for 
ourselves, our posterity and country, entreat and enjoin it upon you, that 
80 far from encouraging, aiding or assenting In the execution of this Act, 



CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. 91 

you do rather endeavor as far as consistent with allegiance and duty to 
our rightful Sovereign, to promote such measures as on the contrary, may 
tend to preserve us in the enjoyment of the invaluable rights and liberties 
■we at present possess, at least till we hear the result of the measures 
already taken for general redress. 

" In the meantime, we earnestly recommend to you, the most calm, 
decent and dispassionate measures, for our open, explicit and resolute 
assertion and vindication of our charter rights and liberties ; and that the 
same be so entered upon record, that the world may see, and future gene- 
rations know, that the present bpth knew and valued the rights they 
enjoyed; and did not tamely resign them for chains and slavery. We 
shall only add, that the best economy of the public money is at all times 
necessary, and never more so than at present, when public debts are 
heavy, and the people's burdens great and likely to increase. 

"We take it for granted, therefore, that you will carefully avoid all 
unaccustomed and unconstitutional grants, which will not only add to the 
present burden, but make such precedents as will be attended with conse- 
quences which may prove greatly to the disadvantage of the public." 

Instructions such as these, read in open town meeting, and 
discussed and adopted by a unanimous vote of the inhabitants, 
would do much towards creating a just appreciation of their 
rights as subjects, and of the duties they owed, not only to their 
Sovereign, but to themselves. A people thus instructed, and 
trained in the school of stern religious principles, Avould be found 
ready for almost any emergency. Consequently when the town 
of Boston, to manifest their opposition to the oppressive acts of 
the ministry, resolved that they Avould not import or use certain 
articles on which these duties were laid, the inhabitants of Lex- 
ington at a meeting held Dec. 28, 1767, " Voted iincminiousli/, 
to concur with the town of Boston, respecting importing and 
using foreign commodities, as mentioned in their votes, passed at 
their meeting on the 28th day of October, 1767." 

Nothing of moment occui*red in the municipal affairs of the 
town during the period under review. Roads were repaired, 
schools were supported, the poor were provided for, and the 
paramount subject, the maintenance of public worship, received 
its due share of attention. But the subject which pressed upon 
them most heavily during this period, was the oppression of the 
mother country. Not however, that the measures of the British 
ministry did bear directly and immediately upon them with any 
distressing hardship at that time. But our patriotic forefathers 



92 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

viewed all snoh subjects on a broad and disinterested scale; 
they looked at the principle involved in the measures ; and they 
knew full well that a trifling tax upon stamped paper or upon 
tea, would ser^•c as an entering wedge to a system of taxation 
which must reduce the colonies to a state of absolute dependence, 
if not complete vassalage ; and patriotism prompted, nay, religion 
required, that they should oppose the first attempt to trample 
upon their rights. These feelings were general among the 
people, and nowhere were they entertained with more ardor than 
in the parish over which Mr. Clarke presided ; and consequently 
the people here let no opportunity pass unimproved, which bore 
upon the great subject of human rights. 

On the 21st day of September, 17(38, the inhabitants of Lex- 
ington assembled in town meeting legally warned, " To take into 
their serious consideration the distressed state of the Province at 
the present day, and to pass any vote relative thei-eto." After 
due consideration, they made choice of Isaac Bowman, Esq., 
William Reed, Esq., and Dca. James Stone, "to prepare rea- 
sons for our present conduct ; " who subsequently reported the 
following Declarations and Resolves. 

*' Whereas it is the first principle in civil society, founded in nature and 
reason, that no law of the society can be binding on any individual without 
his consent, given by himself in person, or by his Representative of his 
own free election ; and whereas in and by an Act of the British Parliament, 
passed in the first year of the reign of King William and Queen Mary of 
glorious and blessed memory, entitled an Act declaring the rights and lib- 
erties of the subjects, and settling the succession of the crown, — the Pre- 
amble of which Act is in these words, viz. 

" ' Whereas the late King James the Second, by the assistance of diverse 
evil Councillors, Judges, and Ministers employed by him, did endeavor to 
subvert and extirpate the Protestant Religion, and the laws and liber- 
ties of the kingdom: It is expressly among other things, declared, that 
the levying of money for the use of the crown by pretence of prerogative, 
without grant of Parliament for a longer time, or in other manner than the 
same is granted, is illegal.' 

" And whereas in the third year of the same King William and Queen 
Mary, their Majesties were graciously pleased by their Royal Charter, to 
give and grant to the inhabitants of this his Majesty's Province, all the 
territory therein described, to be holdcn in free and common soccage, and 
also to ordain and grant to the said inhabitants certain rights, liberties, and 
privileges therein expressly mentioned, among which it is granted, estab- 
lished, and ordained, that all and every, the subjects of them, their heirs. 



CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. 93 

and successors which shall go to inhabit within said Province and territor}', 
and every of their children which shall happen to be born there, and on 
the seas in going thither or returning from thence, shall have and enjoy all 
the liberties and immunities of free and natural subjects, within any of the 
Dominions of them, their heirs and successors, to all intents, purposes, 
and constructions, whatever, as if they and every of them were born within 
the realm of England. 

" And iclicreas by the aforesaid Act of Parliament, made in the first year 
of the said King William and Queen Mary, all and singular, the premises 
contained therein, are claimed, demanded, and insisted on as the undoubted 
rights and liberties born within the realm : And whereas the freeholders 
and other inhabitants of this town in said Charter mentioned, do hold all 
the rights and liberties therein contained, to be sacred and inviolable ; at 
the same time publicly and solemnly acknowledging their firm and unshaken 
allegiance to their alone rightful Sovereign King George the Third, the 
lawful successor of the said King William and Queen Mary to the British 
throne : 

" Therefore, Resolved, That the freeholders and other inhabitants of the 
town of Lexington, will at the utmost peril of their lives and fortunes, take 
all legal and constitutional measures to defend and maintain the person, 
family, crown and dignity of our said Sovereign Lord, George the Third, 
and all and singular, the rights, liberties, privileges and iunnunities granted 
in said royal charter, as well as those which are- declared to be belonging 
to us as British subjects, by birthright, as all others therein specially 
mentioned. 

^^ And whereas by the said royal Charter, it is specially granted to the- 
Great and General Court or Assembly therein constituted, to impose and 
levy proportionable and reasonable assessments, rates, and taxes, upon 
the estates and persons of all and every, the proprietors and inhabitants of 
the said Province or territory, for the service of the King in the necessary 
defence and support of his government of the Province, and the protection 
and preservation of his subjects therein : 

" Therefore Voted, As the opinion of this town, that levying money 
within this Province for the use and service of the crown in any other 
manner than the same is granted by the Great and General Court or 
Assembly of this Province, is in violation of the said royal Charter; and 
the same is in violation of the undoubted, natural rights of subjects, 
declared In the aforesaid Act of Parliament, freely to give and grant their 
own money for the service of the crown, with their own consent in person, 
or by Representatives of their own free election. 

" And whereas in the aforesaid Act of Parliament, it is declared that the 
raising and keeping a standing army within the kingdom in time of peace, 
unless it be with the consent of Parliament, is against law; it is the opinion 
of this town that the said Declaration is founded in the indefeasible rights 
of the subjects to be consulted, and to give their free consent in person or 
by Representative, of their own free election, to the raising and keeping a 
standing army among them. And the inhabitants of this town being free 



94 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

subjects, have the same rights derived from nature, and confirmed by the 
British Constitution, as well as by the royal Charter; and therefore, the 
raising or keeping a standing army without their consent in person or by 
Representatives of their own free election, would be an infringement of 
their natural, constitutional, aud charter rights ; and the employment of 
such an army for the enforcing of laws made without the consent of the 
people in person or by their Representatives, would be a grievance." 

The foregoing Report being several times distinctly read, and 
considered by the town, the question was put Avhether the same 
shall be accepted and recorded, and passed unanimously in the 
affirmative. 

The following vote was also unanimously passed. 

" Whereas by an Act of Parliament of the first of King William and Queen 
Mary, it is declared, that for the redress of all grievances and for amend- 
inw, strengthening, and preserving the laws, Parliament ought to be held 
frequently ; and inasmuch as it is the opinion of this town, that the people 
of this Province labor under many grievances, which unless speedily 
redressed, threaten the total destruction of our invaluable, natural, consti- 
tutional and charter rights ; and furthermore, as his Excellency the Gover- 
nor, at the request of the town of Boston, has declared himself unable to 
call a General Court, which is the Assembly of the States of this Province 
for the redress of grievances : 

" Voted, That tliis town will now make choice of some suitable person to 
join with such as are or may be appointed and sent from the several other 
towns in this Province, to consult and advise what may be best for the 
public good at this critical juncture. 

"Then made choice of William Reed, Esq. 

'■'■Also voted. To keep a day of prayer on the occasion, and left it to the 
Rev. Mr. Clarke to appoint the time." 

These sentiments published in open town meeting, and sanc- 
tified by a day of fasting and prayer, woidd of course govern 
the conduct of a sincere and conscientious people. A^o wonder 
therefore, Ave find them in 17G9, ready to make what at the 
present day would in some families be considered a great sacri- 
fice ; by voting " Not to use any tea or snuff, nor keep them, 
nor suffer them to be used in our families, till the duties are 
taken off." 

In 1772, a measure was on foot to make the Supreme Judges 
independent of the people, by granting them a salary directly by 
Parliament, thus taking from the people the only hold they had 



CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. 95 

upon those officers — that of withholding* supplies. This mea- 
sure was no sooner talked of, than the alarm was given. 

"At a meeting of the inhabitants of Lexington, held Dec. 31, 1772, the 
following Resolves were passed. 

"1. That it is the natural right and indisputable duty of every man, 
and consequently of every society or body of men, to consult their own 
safety, and to take measures' for the preservation of their own liberty and 
property, without which life itself can scarcely be deemed worth pos- 
sessing. 

" 2. That the secui-ity of life, liberty and property to a people, is and 
ought always to be considered, as the gi-eat end of all government, and is 
acknowledged to be the professed end of the happy Constitution of the 
British Government in particular. 

"3. That when through imperfections, necessarily attendant upon the 
wisest systems of which fallible men are capable, or through the designs of 
wicked or crafty men in places of power and trust, any laws or acts of 
government are found to be obnoxious or oppressive to the subject, it is 
wisely provided and established by Magna Charta, the petition of Rights 
and other Statutes of England, that not only Counties, Cities, and Corpo- 
rations, but also Towns and individuals, may consult and adopt measures 
for redress by petition, remonstrance or other ways, as occasion and" the 
emergency of affairs may require, 

" 4. That the inhabitants of this town and Province by the Royal Char- 
ter (a sacred compact between them and the crown) being vested with all 
the rights and privileges of Englishmen, and British subjects, have the 
indisputable right, both as a people and as individuals, to judge for them- 
selves when laws or measures of government are obnoxious or oppressive, 
and to consult upon, and adopt the best measures In their power for redress 
when oppressed. 

'* 5. And therefore, That as the inhabitants of this town look upon them- . 
selves, in common with their brethren and fellow subjects through the 
Province, to be greatly injured and oppressed In various Instances, by 
measures of Government lately adopted, especially by the proposed 
measure of making the judges dependent upon the crown alone for their 
support, they cannot but judge it their inalienable right and a duty they 
owe to themselves and posterity, as a town as well as Individuals, to take 
these matters into serious consideration, freely to express their sentiments 
concerning them, and consult measures for redress. 

*' Then voted that a committee of seven be chosen to report to the town 
at an adjournment of this meeting, a draft of Instructions for their Repre- 
sentative, also of such further Votes and Resolves, as they may think best 
to recommend to the town. — Then made choice of William Reed, Esq., 
Isaac Bowman, Esq., Capt. Thaddeus Bowman, Dea. Benjamin Brown, 
Mr. Samuel Bridge, Dea. Joseph Loring, and Mr. Joseph Simonds." 
13 



96 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

At an adjourned meeting held Jan. 5, 1772, this committee 
submitted the foHowing document, fraught with the wisdom and 
patriotism of their pious and devoted pastor, which was unani- 
mously adopted : 

•* To Mr. Jonas Stone, Representative of the Town of Lexington : 

" Sir : It is not to call in question your capacity, disposition, or fidelity, 
of which we have given the fullest evidence in the choice we have made of 
you to represent us in the General Court of this Province, but in exer- 
cising our right of instructing our Representatives, to open our minds 
freely to you upon matters which appear to us interesting to ourselves, to 
the Province, and to posterity, and to strengthen and confirm you in 
measures, wliich, we trust, your own judgment would have suggested, as 
necessary and important to our common safety and prosperity, though 
we had been silent. 

•' Our worthy ancestors, after many struggles with their enemies in the 
face of every danger, and at the expense of much treasure and blood, 
secured to themselves and transmitted to us, their posterity, a fair and 
rich inheritance, not only of a pleasant and fertile land, but also of invalu- 
able rights and privileges both as men and Christians, as stated in the 
Royal Charter of the Province, and secured to us by the faith of the British 
Crown and Kingdom. As we hold due allegiance to our rightful Sovereign 
King George III., and are ready with our lives and fortunes to support his 
just and constitutional government, so we look upon ourselves as bound by 
the most sacred ties, to the utmost of our power, to maintain and defend 
ourselves in our charter rights and privileges, and as a sacred trust com- 
mitted to us, to transmit them inviolate to succeeding generations. 

"It is the general voice, at least of the more thinking and judicious 
among us, that our charter rights and liberties are in danger, are infringed, 
and upon the most careful, mature, and serious consideration of them, as 
•stated in our Charter, and comparing them with Acts of the British Parlia- 
ment, and measures adopted by the British Court, Ministry and Govern- 
ment, relating to this and other American Colonies, some of which have 
been carried into execution among us ; we are clearly of opinion that they 
have been for some time past, and are at present, greatly infringed and 
violated hereby in various instances, and these measures have been gone 
into from time to time by the Honorable Council and House of Represen- 
tatives of the Province for relief and redress ; yet so far from being 
successful, our grievances seem to increase and be more and more intoler- 
able every day. 

•* The unhappy and distressing effects of the measures referred to, are 
too many to admit, and too well known and felt to require a particular 
mention. But we cannot forbear observing the glowing contrast which in 
some instances is to be seen, between our Charter and the Resolves and 
Acts of the British Parliament, and measures of administration, adopted 



CAUSES OF THE KEVOLUTION. 97 

by the British Court, respecting the people of this, as well as other 
Colonies. 

"The Charter grants to our General Court full power and authority 
from time to time to make, ordain and establish all manner of reasonable 
laws, &.C., and that such laws, &c., not being disallowed by the King 
within three years, shall continue in full force until the expiration thereof, 
or until repealed by the same authority. But the British Parliament have . 
resolved, that they have a right to make laws, binding upon the Colonies 
in all cases whatsoever ; so that whenever they please to carry this resolve 
into execution, they may by another resolve passed into an Act, by one 
powerful stroke vacate our Charter, and in a moment dash all our laws out 
of existence, or bury them together in one common ruin. By the Charter, 
the right of taxing the people is lodged in the General Court of the Prov- 
ince, and we think exclusively. But by the late revenue Acts, which have 
been, with so many ensigns of power and terror, in open violations of the 
laws and liberties of this people, put into execution by the Commissioners 
of the Customs, this right is clearly infringed, and the power put into and 
exercised by other hands. 

•* By the Charter, we are vested with all the rights and liberties of British 
subjects, one of which we know is in Magna Charta declared to be that of 
trial by jury, and that no freeman shall be disseized of his freehold, liber- 
ties, &c., but by the lawful judgment of his peers, «S;c. But such is the 
provision made in the revenue Act, and such the exercise of the power of 
courts of admiralty, that men may be disseized of their liberty, and carried 
from one part of the country to the other, and be tried and sentenced by 
one judge, for any, even the smallest breach of this Act, whether real or 
supposed. Though the Charter provides for the erecting of judicatories 
for the hearing and trying all manner of offences, as well criminal and 
capital as civil ; yet if we are rightly informed, a late Act of Parliament 
provides, and directs in some cases, that persons may be seized and carried 
to England for trial, and that for life. Should this be the truth, where is 
the right of freemen — where the boasted liberty of English subjects? 

"The Charter represents the Governor of this Province, as Captain 
General, and as having full power and authority in all military and warlike 
affairs, and of himself to appoint all military officers, to erect forts and 
commit them to the custody of such person or persons as to him shall seem 
meet. But can it be said that this is the truth in fact, when the Governor 
himself declares, that he has no authority over those who have custody of 
the most important fortress, and where garrisons are changed, and officers 
appointed, not only not by the Governor, but without his knowledge or 
consent. — Whether this is the state of Castle William, the principal 
fortress of this Province, appears to us to be a question not unworthy 
the serious attention, and most critical inquiry of the Great and General 
Court. 

" The Charter not only vests the General Court with the right of impos- 
ing taxes, but also points out the ends for which taxes are to be raised — 



98 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

one of which is the support of the government, justly supposing that 
necessary connection between the governing and governed, and that 
mutual dei)en(lence which preserves a due balance between them, which in 
all well regulated States has been found to have the happiest tendency to 
promote good government on the one hand, and cheerful obedience on the 
other. But not enough that the right of taxation is violated, but the right 
of determining the merit and services of those that are employed in gov- 
ernment, nmst be yielded too. Thus with respect to the first officers 
among us, the only remaining interest whereby persons in the service 
of the public were induced to be fiiithlul in their trust to the people, is 
dissolved, and being entirely dependent upon the crown for both place and 
support, it becomes their interest, at least in many cases, to be unfaithful 
and partial in their administration with regard to the people. And consid- 
erin"- the imperfections of human nature, it is scarcely possible it should 
be otherwise, even though the best of men were in authority. For interest 
will have its in(hience to blind the eyes, and pervert the judgment of the 
wisest and most upright. 

We have been certified in form, that this is the case with the gentlemen 
in the chief seat of Government, and at the head of the Province, and 
from the best information we are able to obtain, we have but too much 
reason to fear, that the same has taken place with respect to a number of 
others in places of trust and power, of no small importance to the well 
being of this people. Particularly we have reason to think this to be the 
fact with respect to the Judges of the Supreme Court, the highest court of 
justice in the Province — the court upon the decisions and determinations 
of which, all our interests respecting property, liberty or. life, do chiefly 
and ultimately depend ; and what adds to the indignity of this measure is, 
that it is to be carried into elFect, as we have just reason to suppose, at 
our expense, at the same time that it is against our consent. Thus the 
plan of oppression is begun, and so far carried on, that if our enemies are 
still successful, and no means can be found to put a stop to their career, 
no measures contrived for a restoration of our affairs to a constitutional 
course, as pointed out in our Charter ; we have just reason to fear that the 
eyes of the head of the Government being blinded, the sources of justice 
poisoned, and hands of the administration bribed with interest, the system 
of slavery will soon be complete. These things are of so interesting a 
nature, so deeply affecting, and so big with the ruin of all our rights and 
liberties, both civil and religious, that we readily acknowledge that we 
cannot so much as transiently view them without a mixture of horror, 
indignation, and grief. 

" But this is not all. Our Charter knows no such thing as instructions 
to Government ; and yet what have not instructions done to distress this 
people ; and if in addition to these, it should be found upon the inquiry of 
the guardians of the Province in General Court assembled, (and they have 
a right to inquire,) that the law has not in all instances had its course, or 
that at any time, measures have been successful to stay justice from offend- 



CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. 99 

ers, it seems as if it was time to be alarmed, and provide for our own 
safety, or else tamely to bow to the yoke and forever hereafter be silent. 
Whether this representation be just, is submitted and must be left to time 
and facts to discover. But that these among other things, are worthy our 
most serious attention, as subjects of inquiry and deep interest, cannot be 
disputed. 

" And therefore to you. Sir, whom we have chosen to represent us in 
the Great and General Court of Inquest for this Province, we do most 
earnestly reconnnend it, that you use your utmost influence, that these as 
well as all other matters in which the rights and liberties of this people are 
concerned, are impartially inquired into, and dispassionately considered by 
the General Assembly, and that measures be pursued by Petition to the 
throne, or otherwise, as the Court in their great wisdom shall see meet, 
for a radical and lasting redress. That thus, whether successful or not, 
succeeding generations might know that we understood our rights and 
liberties, and were neither afraid nor ashamed to assert and maintain them ; 
and that we ourselves may have at least this consolation in our chains, that 
it was not through our neglect that this people were enslaved. 

"William Reed, Per Order.'''' 

At the same meeting the town took into consideration a 
communication from the town of Boston on the same general 
subject, and 

'* Voted, That this Town entirely concur with them in their sentiments, 
both as to the nature of our rights, and the high infraction of them by the 
late measures of Government; and with pleasure embrace this opportunity 
to express the great sense they have of the vigilance and patriotic spirit 
they and our brethren in many other towns, have discovered upon this 
and various occasions, for the preservation of our rights. 

" Voted, also. That this town has a right to correspond with other towns 
upon matters of common concern ; and that a Committee be accordingly 
chosen to transmit the proceeding of this meeting to the Gentlemen of the 
Committee of Correspondence in Boston ; and further, to correspond with 
them as well as the Committee of other towns, upon matters of common 
concern, as occasion may require." 

The town then proceeded and chose the following named gen- 
tlemen, as their Committee of Correspondence : Capt. Thaddeus 
Bowman, Dea. Jonas Stone, Ensign Robert Harrington, Dea. 
Benjamin Brown, and Dea. Joseph Loring. 

The opposition to the Stamp Act was such that Parliament 
was induced to repeal it, which they did in 1766. But this was 
a change rather than an abandonment of their policy. They 



100 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

repealed an act which they saw that they could not enforce, for 
the purpose of adopting other measures which they deemed more 
artful and seductive, and hence more likely to bring the colonists 
to their feet. The sequel will show their measures, and the 
manner in which they were met by the people of America. 

In December, 1773, the inhabitants w^ere called together to 
consider the state of public affairs, and especially the subject 
of the Tea, sent over by the East India Company ; when the 
whole subject was referred to the Committee of Correspondence, 
who subsequently submitted the following Report, which was 
unanimously adopted : 

" That from intelligence transmitted by the Committee of Correspond- 
ence in the Town of Boston, to the Committee of Correspondence for this 
place, and by them communicated to the town, it appears that the enemies 
of the rights and liberties of America, greatly disappointed in the success 
of the Revenue Act, are seeking to avail themselves of a new, and if 
possible, yet more detestable measure to distress, enslave, and destroy us. 
Not enough that a tax was laid upon teas, which should be imported by 
us, for the sole purpose of raising a revenue to support task masters, 
pensioners, &c., in idleness and luxury; but by a late Act of Parliament, 
to appease the wrath of the East India Company, whose trade to America 
had been greatly clogged by the operation of the Revenue Acts, provision 
is made for said Company to export their Teas to America free, and dis- 
charged from the payment of all duties and customs in England, but liable 
to all the same rules, regulations, penalties and forfeitures in America, as 
are provided by the revenue Act, as much as if the above mentioned Act 
had never been passed. 

" Not to say anything of the gross partiality herein discovered in favor 
of the East India Company, and to the injury and oppression of Americans, 
"we are alarmed at the masterly effort of iniquitous policy, as it has the 
most gloomy effect upon the trade of these Colonies, and gives an opening 
to the East India Company, or others under the covert of an Act of Par- 
liament, for the unrighteous purpose of raising and securing a revenue 
to the crown out of the purses of industrious Americans, to monopolize 
one branch after another, until in the process of time, the whole trade will 
be in their hands, and by their consignees, factors, &c., they will be the 
sole merchants of America. 

"And further, we are more especially alarmed, as by these crafty 
measures, the revenue Act is to be established, and the rights and liberties of 
Americans forever sapped and destroyed. These appear to us to be sacri- 
fices we must make ; and these are the costly pledges that must be given 
into the hands of the oppressor. The moment we receive this detested 
article, the tribute will be established upon us. For nothing short of this 
will ever fill the mouth of the oppressor, or gorge the insatiate appetite of 



CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. 101 

lust and ambition. Once admit this subtle, wicked ministerial plan to take 
place — once permit this tea, thus imposed upon us by the East India 
Company, to be landed, received and vended, by their consignees, factors, 
&c., the badge of our slavery is fixed, the foundation of ruin is surely 
laid, and unless a wise and powerful God, by some unforeseen revolution 
in Providence, shall prevent, we shall soon be obliged to bid farewell to 
the once flourishing trade of America, and an everlasting adieu to those 
glorious rights and liberties, for which our worthy ancestors so earnestly 
prayed, so bravely fought, so freely bled ! 

" This being the light in which we view these measures of administration 
in their nature and tendency, we cannot but be alarmed, especially when 
we see our danger so great, — our ruin so nearly effected: — the ship with 
the detested tribute Tea in the harbor, and the persons appointed to receive 
and sell the same, unnaturally refusing to resign their appointment, though 
by carrying it into effect, they should procure their country's ruin. As there- 
fore we should be wanting to ourselves, to our country and posterity, to be 
silent upon such an occasion as this, and as we have no reason to expect 
that God, the Supreme Disposer of all things, will work miracles for us, 
while we neglect ourselves, we do with the greatest seriousness and sin- 
cerity, come into the following 

Resolves. 

"1. That as the Revenue Act, and the Act allowing the East India 
Company to export Teas into the Colonies subject to duties, with all the 
measures of the Ministry and Administration, whether by secret craft or 
open violence to carry said Acts into effect, appear to us to be a direct 
violation of our charter rights and liberties ; we are determined to the 
utmost of our power in every rational way, upon this and all proper occa- 
sions to oppose them, and use our most vigilant and resolute endeavors to 
prevent their taking place among us. 

** 2. That we will not be concerned either directly or indirectly in 
landing, receiving, buying or selling, or even using any of the Teas sent 
out by the East India Company, or that shall be imported subject to a duty 
imposed by Act of Parliament, for the purpose of raising a revenue in 
America. 

"3. That all such persons as shall directly or indirectly aid and assist in 
landing, receiving, buying, selling or using the Teas sent by the East 
India Company, or imported by others subject to a duty, for the purpose 
of a revenue, shall be deemed and treated by us as enemies of their 
country. 

** 4. That the conduct of Richard Clarke and son, the Governor's two 
sons Thomas and Elisha Hutchinson, and other consignees, in refusing to 
resign their appointment as factors, or vendue masters for the East India 
Company, when repeatedly requested by the town of Boston, has justly 
rendered them obnoxious to their fellow citizens, to the inhabitants of this 
town, and to the people of the Province, and America in general ; and as 



102 HISTOUY OF LEXINGTON. 

upon this occasion they have discovered, not only want of due affection 
for their native country, but also from selfish views, (as we think,) a 
strange disposition to accelerate its ruin — we cannot but consider them as 
objects of our just resentment, indignation, and contempt. 

••5. That, as it has been basely insinuated, that the measures taken to 
prevent the reception of the East India Company's Teas, are the effect of 
a scheme of the merchants to advance their own interest, it is the opinion 
of this town, that the suggestion is false and malicious, and designed at 
the same time to deceive and delude the people into a compliance with 
measures of their enemies, and to prevent the good effect of the honest and 
patriotic endeavors of so valuable and powerful part of the community to 
rescue the trade and liberties of their country from impending destruction. 

" 6. That as with gratitude to our brethren in Boston, and other towns, 
we do express our satisfaction in the measures they have taken, and the 
stru<T"-les they have made upon this, as well as many other occasions, for 
the liberties of their country and America ; we are ready and resolved to 
concur with them in every rational measure that may be necessary for the 
preservation or recovery of our rights and liberties as Englishmen and 
Christians ; and we trust in God, that should the state of our afTairs require 
it, we shall be ready to sacrifice our estates and every thing dear in life, yea, 
and life itself, in siqyport of the common cause.'''' 

The above Resolves being passed, a motion was made that to 
them another should be added ; accordingly it was resolved, 
without a dissenting voice : 

"That if any head of a family in this Town, or any person shall from 
this time forward, and until the duty be taken off, purchase any Tea, or 
sell or consume any Tea in their families, such person shall be looked upon 
as an enemy to this town, and to this country, and shall by this town be 
treated with neglect and contempt." 

At a meeting of the inhabitants of Lexington, duly warned, on 
the 26th of September, 1774, Dea, Stone was chosen to repre- 
sent the town in the General Court. A committee, consisting of 
Capt. Bowman, Dea. Brown, and Lieut. Edmund Munroe, was 
chosen to prepare Instructions, who reported the following draft, 
which was adopted : 

" The alarming situation of our public affairs being so distressing as at 
present, and our Council being chosen by a mandamus from the King, 
whose authority as a Council we cannot own, nor consent to, — 

" We, therefore, the inhabitants of the town of Lexington, being assem- 
bled at the Meeting House in said Town, on Monday the 26th day of 



CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. 103 

September instant, to make choice of a Representative, and liaving made 
choice of Dea. Stone as our Representative, we, putting the fullest confi- 
dence in your integrity and ability, do instruct you. Sir, in the following 
manner — to use your utmost influence at the Great and General Court, 
that nothing there be transacted as a Court, under the new Council, or in 
conformity with any of the late Acts of Parliament." 

At the same meetinn: thev chose Dea. Stone a deleo*ate to the 
Provincial Congress. Having repeatedly denounced the acts of 
the Ministry and Parliament, as acts of oppression, designed to 
rob the people of the Colonies of e^ery right which tliey held 
dear; and having pledged thciv forfu nes and their lires, should 
the occasion require, in defence of the great principles of liberty, 
like men who knew what they said, and said what they meant, 
the inhabitants of the town made preparation for the last resort 
of oppressed subjects. Consequently, at meetings held in No- 
vember and December, they voted " to provide a suitable quantity 
of flints," — " to bring two pieces of cannon from Watertown and 
mount them," — "to provide a pair of drums for the use of the 
military company in ToAvn," — "to provide bayonets at the 
town's cost for one third of the training soldiers," — "to have 
the militia and alarm list meet for a view of their arms," &c. 
And that these votes should not prove a mere dead letter, com- 
mittees were chosen to carry them into effect. 

Besides, as the Provincial Congress had recommended to the 
people to put themselves in a state of defence by organizing 
military companies, to be armed and equipped, and to be ready 
to march at the shortest notice, it Avas voted by the inhabitants 
of Lexington, that they Avould carry out these recommendations, 
and committees were appointed for that purpose. As the Con- 
gress had also chosen Henry Gardner, Esq., of Stow, to be 
Receiver General of all province taxes which should be collected, 
and requested the several towns to pay their respective portions 
of the taxes, Avhen collected, over to him, instead of paying 
them over to Harrison Gray, Esq., His Majesty's Receiver Gen- 
eral ; the people directed their collectors to pay the province 
tax, when collected, over to Henry Gardner, Esq., and assured 
them by solemn vote, that the town would see them harmless for 
so doing. These " awful notes of preparation " showed that the 
people were prepared for any emergency, and firmly resolved to 

14 



104 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

maintain their rights by the sword, it" remonstrance and entreaty 
should prove inetfcctual. AVe do not claim for the town of 
Lexington any exclusive honor in this respect. But we do say, 
that no town, under all the circumstances, is deserving of more 
praise. Xo town was more ready to resolve, and no town 
Ijacked up her declarations with more promptitude, or made 
greater sacrifices in the cause than the town of Lexington. Her 
population was small, being only about seven hundred, and her 
means were limited ; but like the Avoman in Scripture, "she did 
what she could " in the cause of the colonies — the cause of 
freedom. 

I have been thus particular in presenting the acts and doings 
of the inhabitants of Lexington, preparatory to* the opening of 
hostilities ; for, after all, we are to contemplate the American 
Revolution, not so much in the strife upon the ensanguined field, 
as in the cool deliberation, and the firm resolve which character- 
ized our people at the period immediately preceding the open 
rupture. I have been thus particular in order to present to the 
public those valuable state papers, written by the Rev. Jonas 
Clarke, which prepared our people, not only for the contest, but 
for the just appreciations of rational and constitutional liberty. 
It is an easy thing in times of excitement to arouse the pas- 
sions of men, and nerve their arms for battle — Ho teach their 
hands to Avar and their fingers to fight.' But to instil into their 
minds the great principles of civil and religious liberty, and 
make them realize their duty as citizens, is a more difficult task. 
But this has been done in a clear and able manner, in the docu- 
ments above cited. So fully and so clearly are the grievances 
under which our fathers labored, and the causes Avhich gave rise 
to the American Revolution set forth, that if all other records 
Avere destroyed, and all recollections blotted from the memory, 
the faithful historian could, from the Instructions given to the 
Representatives of Lexington, and the other papers found in our 
Records, emanating from the pen of Mr; Clarke, trace the devel- 
opments of oppression from year to year, and state the true 
causes of that mighty stiiiggle. 

With the master mind of this pious divine, operating upon and 
almost controlling the people of his charge, and Avith the military 
discipline to Avhich some thirty of the citizens of Lexington had 



CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. 105 

been subjected in their service in the French war, we can easily 
account for the firm and manly resistance made by them on the 
lS)th of April, 1775. It was not mei-e military ardor, thirsting 
for renown on the field of battle — it was not that spirit of 
adventui'e which frequently leads to deeds of noble daring in the 
face of an enemy — nor was it a thirst of conquest for the hope 
of gain, that animated the breasts of the citizens of Lexington 
on that memorable day. Xo, it was the higher and holier aspi- 
rations of patriotism that fired their bosoms, and led them into 
the face of danger ; it was a lo"\e of liberty, guided by reason 
and sanctified by religion, that gnxc them firmness, and made 
them steadfast and innnovable in the cause they had espoused. 
They knew in whom they tnisted, and the charge they had to 
keep ; they knew that they stood the defenders of human rights 
— the protectors of their wives and children. And though the 
odds were fearfully against them, they looked to that Power to 
whom their devoted pastor had so often pointed them, and had 
confidence that the justice of their cause would bring down the 
sustaining aid of the "Loi'd of Sabaoth." 

As the feelings and sentiments which prevailed among the 
people of Lexington, pervaded the whole community on the 
opening of the year 1775, an open rupture was a mere question 
of time. With such haughty pretentions as were put forth by 
the Ministry and Parliament of Great Britain on the one side, 
and the calm but resolute determination of the colonists to enjoy 
the rights and maintain the privileges of British subjects on the 
other, it was certain that this controversy could not end in words. 
There was too nnich pride on the one hand, and too much prin- 
ciple on the other, to justify the belief that England would 
abandon her policy, or the colonists their rights. To the eye 
of the enlightened statesman, the Revolution had already com- 
menced, and the great battle of freedom was being fought. The 
resolve had been taken, and the armor had been burnished. 
The magazine had been prepared, the train laid, and the match 
ignited ; and whenever by design or by accident, the fuse should 
come in contact with the powder, the explosion must take place. 

Those, therefore, who contemplate the Revolution as com- 
mencing on the 19th of April, 1775, must look at effects rather 
than at causes ; and suffer their minds to rest upon the outward 



106 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

and visible, rather than penetrate the great moral causes ope- 
rating by fixed and certain laws, which had been developing 
themselves for more than a century. The rash act of Pitcairn 
at Lexington Common, was by no means the cause of the Eevo- 
lution. It was merely the accidental occurrence which opened 
the drama at that time and place. The tragedy had been written, 
the great parts assigned, and the grand result penned by the 
recording angel, and if the first act had not been opened at Lex- 
ington and Concord, it must have transpired on some other field. 
Otis and Adams opened the battle of the Revolution, long before 
the bayonet was fixed, or the sword drawn. Clarke's Instruc- 
tions to our Representatives did as much to make the patriots 
stand firm on the Common in the very face of a superior force, 
as did the stern command of the gallant Parker. 

Nor does this view of the subject lessen the praise due to 
the patriot band, which rallied in freedom's cause on the 19th 
of April. On the contrary, it adds greatly to their honor, and 
reflects imperishable lustre upon their names. It shows that 
they acted, not from passion, but from principle, and fought not 
to conquer, but to defend — not to despoil a foe, but to establish 
for themselves and for their posterity a government of laws, 
which would mete out to every citizen his rights and his priv- 
ileges, and secure them in their enjoyment. The colonies had 
outgrown their minority, and, by an irresistible instinct of our 
nature, felt that they had a right to set up for themselves. The 
freedom of thought and of speech which had been so long 
enjoyed in America, had prepared the peoj)le for freedom, and 
that precious boon must be enjoyed. They were no sticklers for 
forms. They were sober, peaceable, and law-abiding, and had 
no desire to break oflr" their connection with the mother country, 
if they could be treated with parental regard. But as the matter 
then stood, a separation was inevitable. The irrepressible con- 
flict had commenced, and the work must go on to its completion. 
The day of debate, must now give place to a day of action ; and 
any attempt at a peaceable adjustment would be merely a tempo- 
rary adjournment of the open rupture. 



CHAPTER IV. 

CAUSES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 

The State of Feeling towards the Mother Country — Allegiance to the Crown 
— Massachusetts the First to deny the Right of Parliament to legislate for 
us — Massachusetts Charter annulled — Andros appointed Governor, with 
Despotic Powers — Andros imprisoned — Anew Charter granted — Writs 
of A>sistance issued — Otis opposed them — Admiralty Jurisdiction ex- 
tended — The Stamp Act passed — Stamp Officer hung in EfHgy — General 
Congress at New York — Stamp Act repealed — A Ship-of-\Var sent to 
Boston — Gov. Bernard dissolved the General Court — Refuses to Order 
a New Election — A Convention assembles in Boston — Two Regiments 
sent to Boston — The People refvise to furnish them Quarters or Rations — 
Bernard recalled, and Hutchinson appointed Governor — The Boston 
Massacre — Hutchinson removes the Troops to the Castle — Boston laid 
under Martial Law — Committees of Correspondence organized — The Tea 
destroyed — Massachusetts the First to deny the Power of Parliament, and 
the First to baffle the Ministry. 

In the preceding chapter, the state of fcehng in the town of 
Lexington, up to the commencement of tlie revolutionary 
struggle, and the measures there adopted, have been presented. 
We have seen in the instructions to their representatives the 2;reat 
doctrines of freedom and good government plainly foreshadowed, 
and the causes which led to the Revolution, strongly set forth in 
general terms. In this chapter it is proposed to state these 
causes on a broader scale, and to trace, from time to time, the 
developments of oppression on the one hand, and of the spirit of 
freedom on the other. By this view, broader in its territorial 
application, we shall see that the aspirations and the throbs which 
swelled the bosoms of the citizens of Lexington, beat in unison 
with the pulsations throughout the province. 

Springing from a stock proverbial for its loyalty, our fathers 
were not inclined to revolt from the mother country. On the 
contrary, they were proud of their ancestry, and claimed nothing 
but the rights of English subjects. The Reformation in the six- 



108 mSTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

teenth centurv', by establishing^ the right of private judgment, 
had clothed man with individuality, and taught him to think and 
judge for himself; and while the consciousness of personal ac- 
countability had in a degree wrought out spiritual emancipation, 
the contests growing out of the absurd prerogatives of the crown 
of England, had prepared the many for political freedom. The 
most intelligent among the people of Great Britain regarded the 
infallibility of the Pope in spiritual, and the infallibility of the 
King in teni})oral tilings, as equally absurd. The seeds of civil 
and reli"ious liberty had in this manner been sown broadcast 
throughout the realm, and though some had fallen by the way- 
side, and some in stony places, others had fallen on good ground, 
and were promising a future harvest. Those who emigrated to 
these shores were deeply imbued with the spirit of liberty, both 
civil and religious. They had felt the exactions of the state, and 
the persecutions of the church in their own country, and rather 
than submit to these evils, they chose to encounter the perils 
and privations of a life in a wilderness, surrounded by savage 
foes. 

But though they had fled from persecution in their native land, 
they did not design to throw off" their allegiance to their rightful 
sovereign. The first settlers of New England, before they left 
the Mayflower, declared that they came to this wilderness to pro- 
mote " the glory of God, the advancement of the Christian faith, 
and the honor of their king and country." And after they had 
landed upon these shores, they cherished a fond recollection of 
the land of their birth. Their memories recurred to the scene 
of their childhood, and brought up anew all the endearing associa- 
tions of early life. They remembered with filial gratitude the 
parents who had i-eared them, and the friends they had left 
behind ; and next to the spot which was endeared to them by their 
trials, their dangers, and their suflerings, their warmest benisons 
rested upon their native isle. But being separated from the 
parent country by the broad expanse of ocean, they knew that 
they must rely mainly upon themselves. Realizing that they 
held their fortunes in their own hands, they naturally felt that 
they had a right to manage their own aflPairs in their own way. 
Holding the country by the double right of charter and of pur- 
cliase, they could not divest themselves of the conviction that the 



CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. lOD 

lands thej had cleared and the huts they had erected were theirs 
by no ordinary title. Havin<i; set up civil and religious institu- 
tions for themselves, they had a growini^ attachment for the work 
of their own hands, and felt that their wishes should be con- 
sulted in everything which related to the colonies. Claiming by 
their Charter, not only their possessions, but all the rights and 
immunities of Englishmen, — while they acknowledged their alle- 
giance to the Crow7i, they maintained that they had full powers 
of legislation : and hence they denied all right in Paidiament 
to impose taxes upon them without their consent. 

As the controversy growing in part out of taxation, gave 
rise to tlie Revolution, of which the events of the 19th April 
were the commencement ; and as the resistance of our fathers to 
the Acts of Parliament is sometimes appealed to, to justify 
resistance to our laws at the present day, — it is important to a just 
understanding of the issue then, and of our duty now, that the 
facts be distinctly stated, and the exact issue be kept in view. 
The precise question w^as this : Has the British Parliament^ in 
which the colonies have no representatioii, a right bt/ the 
colotiial Charters and by the English Constitution, to tax 
the colonies for the snj)port of the Home Government, or to 
modify their Charters, without the consent of the colonists ? 
Great Britain claimed this right, and rested it upon the supre- 
macy of Parliament. The colonies, they said, were of their 
own planting ; and being a part of the British empire, were 
subject to all the laws of the realm ; and that Parliament, being 
supreme, "had a right to legislate for them in all cases what- 
soever.'' On the other hand, it was maintained by the colonists, 
that on leaving Great Britain with a Charter from the crown, 
they brought with them to this country, all the rights and im- 
munities of English subjects ; that on the great principles of 
natural rights, recognized and secured by the English constitu- 
tion, all private property was sacred, and hence that all taxes 
must be granted by the people themselves, or by representatives 
chosen by them ; that those natural and constitutional rights 
were not only inherent in the colonists, but were also secured to 
them in their Charters, which were sacred compacts that no power 
on earth could rightfully infringe ; that by the fundamental law 
of the empire, taxation and representation were inseparably 



110 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

united, and as tlie colonies were not, and from the nature of tlie 
case, could not be represented in the British Parliament, so 
Tarliament had no ri<,dit to impose taxes ujjon them, especially 
for the maintenance of the Government at home. It was more- 
over contended that their Charters gave them full powers of legis- 
lation, and that they had exercised those powers from the first, 
with the full knowledge and acquiescence of the British Govern- 
ment. They also declared their willingness at all times, to grant 
bv their own Legislatures, all moneys which they shoidd deem 
necessary for the support of their own government, and also to 
defend Ilis Majesty's Colonies in America against the enemies of 
their king and country. Such was the precise issue made at 
that time. 

The Colony of jNIassachusetts may justly claim the honor of 
being the first to put forth this doctrine. As early as 1634, 
attempts w^ere made to vacate the Charter of the Colony, rather 
for non-conformity in religious matters than any thing else, and 
the people of Massachusetts distinctly intimated that they had 
full powers of themselves to make all needful laws for their own 
preservation. But in 1046, Parliament having asserted full 
powers over the colonies, the General Court of Massachusetts 
protested against the doctrine, as one calculated to bring them 
into a state of vassalage. In a memorial to Parliament they 
say, " We have not admitted appeals to your authority^ being 
assured that they cannot stand with the liberty and power 
granted to us by our Charter, and would be destructive of all 
government." In the same spirit, Winslow, the agent of jNIassa- 
chusetts in England, publicly denied the jurisdiction of Parlia- 
ment over the colonies. " If the Parliament of England," said' 
he, " should impose laws upon us, having no burgesses in the 
House of Commons, we should lose the liberties and fi-eedom 
of Englishmen indeed." Thus did Massachusetts, within the 
first quarter of a century after the first settlement of New 
England, assert the power of the colonies, and deny the right of 
I'arliument to legislate for them, on the ground that they were not 
represented in that body — a doctrine on which the colonies finally 
united, and resisted the acts of the parent country. 

The arbitrary claims of Great Britain being persisted in, 
Massachusetts declared in 1661 that, under God and their Charter, 



CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. HI 

they had a ritilit to choose their own officers, to exercise " all 
power and authority, legislative, executive, and judicial, to 
defend themselves hy force of arms against every agi>ressor, and 
to reject, as an infringement of their rights, any [)arliamentary 
or royal imposition prejudicial to the country, and contrary to 
any just act of colonial legislation." 

To punish iMassachusetts for her bold and independent oppo- 
sition to the claims of the King and Parliament, a quo uiari'anto 
was issued in 1G83, to annul her Charter ; the King at the same 
time making a public declaration that pard(in would be extended 
to the colonists, in case they would consent to certain modifica- 
tions of the Charter. On the receipt of this intelligence in 
Massachusetts, a general consternation at first prevailed. They 
knew that many cities in England had been compelled to 
surrender their charters, and submit to the King and Parliament. 
The Governor and assistants were persuaded that it was hopeless 
to resist, and recommended that agents be sent to England " to 
receive His jSIajesty's command." This recommendation was 
sent to the representatives of the people, who returned it with 
this laconic endorsement " The Deputies consent not, but adhere 
to their former bills." The Charter, however, was annulled, and 
the Colony was left to the tender mercy of the corrupt court of 
Charles II. 

The revocation of the Charter was followed by the intro- 
duction of a despotism, more grievous than anything before 
known in Massachusetts. Sir Edmund Andros, who had been 
appointed Governor of New England, arrived in Boston, in 
1686, empowered by the new sovereign, James II., to appoint 
and remove his own council, and with their consent to exercise 
all powers of legishition, to make laws, lay taxes, control the 
militia, and to sustain his authority by force. To carry out this 
arbitrary and despotic system of government, he resolved that 
no printing presses should be tolerated in the country, and that 
the people should not be permitted to assemble in town meetings 
to deliberate upon public affiiirs. Under his corrupt administra- 
tion, public schools were neglected, religious institutions were 
impaired, and the personal rights of the citizens were either 
disregarded or basely trampled ujion. But a despotism like 
this was not long to be endured. Those who had denied the 
15 



112 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

power of the Kin^^ and Parliament, would not long submit to 
the imposition of taxes by a subordinate magistrate. And while 
his monarch was preparing the way for his own overthrow in 
Great Britain, Andros was laying the foundation for his over- 
throw in the colonies. When the news reached Boston in the 
spring of 1089, that James II. had fled his country, and that 
the Prince of Orange had ascended the throne, the people were 
determined to imitate the example of their British brethren, and 
rid themselves of their tyrant. Andros attemptetl to sustain 
himself by force ; but the people were too sensible of their 
rights, and of his weakness, to submit. They seized the sheriff, 
the military commander, and, at last, the Governor himself, 
and committed them to prison. The whole town of Boston was 
in arms, and, actuated by what they declared to be their sense of 
duty to their God and country, completely overthrew the 
government of Andros. While the people of Great Britain 
Avere rejoicing in the expulsion of the Stuarts, the people of 
New England were sounding their peans for the overthrow of a 
subordinate tyrant. 

The Charter of the Colony of Massachusetts, which was 
annulled in 1685, was restored by William and Mary in 
1691, with several limitations; the crown claiming the right 
to appoint the Governor, who should have a negative upon 
the Legislature. The Council, however, were to be chosen 
by the Legislature. Though this Charter did not restore to 
the people all the rights and privileges which they had formerly 
enjoyed, taken in connection with the arbitrary government 
of Andros, it contained some important provisions. The 
people of New England, from the first, were in the habit of 
transacting all kinds of business in their town meetings. In 
those little democracies, they not only acted upon their muni- 
cipal affairs, but had been accustomed to discuss all public 
questions, and devise measm-es for the good of the Colony. 
These meetings had been suspended by Andros, who, judging 
correctly, considered them the great means of creating and 
keeping alive a thirst for independence. Though the first 
Charter did not in terms authorize the holding of such meetings 
for such purposes, it gave powers which almost necessarily 
implied it. But no such meetings were forbidden diu-ing the 



CAUSES OP THE REVOLUTION. 113 

period whicli intervened between the annulling of the first 
Charter, and its restoration ; the Act of ^\^illiam and IShiry 
revived these customs, and gave the royal construction in 
favor of what may be denominated the political rights of 
towns. This construction of the rights of the people will 
appear more important in tlie subsequent part of this narrative. 
Under this modified Cliarter, the General Court were to provide 
for the support of the Government, and the payment of its 
officers ; and to make these officers responsible to the people, they 
claimed the right of fixing their salaries annually, instead of 
establishing them by standing laws. This course involved the 
Colony in a controversy with the crown, which was renewed from 
time to time, for nearly forty years, when Governor Belcher 
prevailed upon the crown to accept the annual grant ; and so 
the controversy subsided, leaving the Colony victor in the field. 

During the war between England and France for the con- 
quest of Canada, the controversy between the former and 
her colonies was in a great measure suspended ; though the 
attempts of Great Britain to quarter her troops upon the jicople, 
without the consent of their legislatures, kept them alive to 
a sense of their rights, and of the injustice of the parent country. 
But after the close of the war with France in 1763, the British 
Government turned their attention to the colonies, and attempted 
by various means to bring them to subjection. One measure 
was to make the judges dependent upon the crown alone ; thus 
making the judiciary the mere creature of the king, and a fit 
instrument by which to oppress the colonies, and so bring them 
to submission. This roused the indignation of the people, who 
plainly saw a settled purpose in Great Britain to reduce them 
to a state of vassalage. 

But the darling policy of the Administration was to raise a 
revenue from the colonies. Various propositions were presented 
for some new and direct enactment, which would bear upon the 
colonies, and do something to supply the British treasury. It 
was, however, thought best to revive and enforce some gen- 
eral existing law regulating trade, rather than adopt a special 
provision for America. An effort was consequently made to 
carry out this plan, and, to render it effectual, it was thought 
necessary to clothe the officers of the customs with full power 



lU HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

and authority to call to tlicir aid all the executive and judicial 
officers in the Colony. As Boston was the great mart of trade, 
and ^Massachusetts the most perverse Colony, it was deemed 
advisable to try the experiment there. In 1761, the officers of 
the customs applied to Hutchinson, who had been raised to the 
chief justiceship in Massachusetts, for ""Writs of Assistance," 
to enable them to collect the duties upon various imported 
articles. The application was resisted, and the case argued 
before the whole court. Jeremiah Gridley appeared for the croAvn, 
and argued the necessity and legality of the writ ; but when 
he had closed, James Otis, a man of ardent feeling, exalted 
patriotism, and thrilling eloquence, stepped forth in behalf of the 
colonists. "I am determined," said he, "to sacrifice estate, ease, 
health, applavise, and even life itself, to the sacred calls of my 
country, in opposition to a kind of power, the exercise of which 
cost one king of England his head, and another his throne." 
He then proceeded to point out the illegality and oppressive 
character of such a writ. He denounced it, "as tlie worst 
instrument of arbitraiy power, the most destructive of English 
liberty and the fundamental principles of law." " No Act of 
Parliament," said he, " can establish such a writ ; an Act of Par- 
liament against the Constitution is void." 

The powerful and eloquent appeal of Otis awakened a feeling 
which had been slumbering in the breasts of the patriots of the 
colonies, and prepared the people for more active and efficient 
efforts in the cause of freedom. John Adams, who was present 
and listened to the argument and eloquence of Otis, declared 
" that from that time, he could never read the Acts of trade 
without anger, nor any section of them without a curse." The 
Court after some delay and consulting the English ministry, 
granted the writ, which greatly heightened public feeling, and 
prepared the people for more decisive measures. But the great 
cause of discontent was the enforcing of the Acts of trade by 
the Courts of Admiralty — courts entirely independent of the 
colonies, and depending upon the crown alone — courts in which 
all cases were decided without the intervention of a jury, and 
where the ])leasur(! of the ministry was the paramount law. 

AVhilc the ])ublic mind in the colonics was thus agitated, and 
fears were entertained for the safety of their rights, the Board of 



CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. 115 

Ti-ade recommended, in 1763, the passage of an Act, requiring 
all the legal instruments in the colonies, including notes, receipts, 
orders, certificates, &c., to be written on stamped paper, upon 
which a duty should he imposed — the agents of the colonies in 
England partially- assenting to the measure. On the arrival of 
this intelligence in America, the people of Boston and the Legis- 
lature of Massachusetts, ever alive to the rights of freemen, in 
their instructions to their agent in London, remonstrated against 
the threatened measure ; declaring, " that the silence of the 
Province should have been imputed to any cause, even to despair, 
rather than be construed into a tacit cession of their rights, or 
an acknowledgment of a right in the Parliament of Great Britain 
to impose duties and taxes upon a people, who are not repre- 
sented in the House of Commons." In the same instructions, 
they endorse the doctrine of Otis, "that the imposition of tax<cs, 
whether on trade or on lands, on houses or ships, on real or 
personal, on fixed or floating property in the colonics, is abso- 
lutely irreconcilable with the rights of the colonists, as British 
subjects or as men." 

In 1765, thg worst fears of the colonies were realized in the 
passage of the Stamp Act, and the adoption of other measures, 
designed to support the absolute supremacy of Parliament over 
them. And to insure the execution of these odious and oppres- 
sive acts, not only all the civil officers in the Colony were put 
in requisition, but the whole naval and military force, which 
was to be increased in America, was to aid in the support of 
these arbitrary measures ,• and to render the pill more bitter, 
the people here were required to support the troops which 
were sent over to oppress them. And to render the tyranny 
absolute, all cases arising under these acts wei'e to be decided in 
Courts of Admiralty, without the intervention of a jury, by a 
single judge, created by the crown, Avhose sole support was to 
be drawn from his share of the profits of his own condemna- 
tions. 

Massachusetts took the alarm. Her people saw in this series 
of measures, a fixed and determined plan to reduce them to sub- 
jection, and to bring them to the foot of the throne. (roAcrnor 
Bernard, in his message to the Legislature, assured them that it 
was the duty and interest of the Colony to submit, for the law 



116 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

" would now be prosecuted to its utiuost completion ; " but the 
represcntiitives of the people addressed letters to the other colo- 
nies, inviting them to choose delegates to meet in a General 
Congress at New York, to consult together on the affairs of the 
colonies. In the meantime the Stamp Act arrived in Boston, 
and Oliver, naturally odious to the people, was announced as the 
officer who was to receive and dispose of the stamps. The Act 
was universally condenmed in Boston, "as arbitrary, unconstitu- 
tional, and a breach of the Cliarter." Oliver, the stamp officer, 
was hung in effigv. Hutchinson, the Chief Justice, ordered 
the sheriff to remove the image, but the people insisted that it 
should remain through the day. Governor Bernard summoned 
his Council, but a majority of them refused to interfere. The 
jiext evening, the image was taken down, placed upon a bier, 
carried down State street, directly by the Council Chamber, the 
multitude shouting at the top of their voices, "Liberty, Property, 
and no Stamps.^' They then proceeded to Kilby street, where 
they demolished a frame, which it was said Oliver was erecting 
for a stamp office, and with the fragments of the frame made 
" a funeral pyre for the effigy in front of his house ^on Fort Hill." 
A few evenings after, the mob assembled near the old State 
House, seized and burnt the records of the Admiralty Court, 
and afterwards assaulted the house of the Comptroller of Cus- 
toms, and of the Chief Justice, who had rendered himself 
extremely odious to the people. The demonstration was so 
strong that Oliver was induced to resign his office, and the 
stamjis were left in the hands of the Governor. Never had the 
feelings of the people of Boston and vicinity been wrought up 
to such a pitch ; for though the sober part of the community 
condenmed the assault upon the house of the Comptroller and of 
the Chief Justice, they were willing to have such a manifestation 
of public sentiment as should render the execution of the oppres- 
sive law impracticable. The press and the pulpit spoke out 
in language not to be misunderstood. The patriotic Mayhcw 
preached to a large audience from the text — "I Avould that they 
were even cut off, which trouble you ; for, brethren, ye have been 
called to liberty ;" in which he set forth the importance of civil 
and religious freedom, and the duty of the people to maintain 
tiieir just rights by all suitable means. 



CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. 117 

The General Congress whieli convened at New York, pnt forth 
a dechiration of sentiments, dwelling mainly u[)on the inherent 
right of trial by jury, in opposition to the extension of Admi- 
ralty jurisdiction ; and the right of exemption from taxation, 
except through their respective colonial legislatures. This doc- 
trine being avowed by a General Congress, tended directly to 
unite the different colonies, and so prepare them for the great 
struggle which was approaching. On the very day of the 
adjournment of Congress, the Legislature which first proposed 
that assembly, convened at Boston, and in reply to Governor 
Bernard, asserted a doctrine in relation to the power of Parlia- 
ment, from which the Colony nev.er receded. "The Charter of 
the Province," they declare, "invests the Genei'al Assembly with 
the power of making laws for its internal government and taxa- 
tion ; that there are certain orig-inal, inherent rights belonoinir to 
the people, of which Parliament cannot divest them ; among 
these is the right of representation in the body which exercises 
the power of taxation ; that thei-e is a necessity that the subjects 
in America should exercise this power Avithin themselves, for 
they are not represented in Parliament, and such a representa- 
tion is deemed impracticable." 

While these doctrines were advocated in ]\Iassachusetts by 
James Otis, Samuel Adams, and their associates, and in several 
of the other colonies by some of their purest patriots and wisest 
statesmen, they also found able advocates in Great Britain. 
Pitt, Barre, Burke, and others connected with the government, 
pleaded the cause of liberty in the British Parliament, with such 
thstinguished ability and force of argument, that the ministry, 
fearing the strength of the opposition at home, and the resistance 
of their subjects in America, consented to the repeal of the 
Stamp Act. Thus was Great Britain completely foiled in her 
first attempt at raising a revenue in her colonies, to sustain her 
burdened treasury. The repeal of the Stamp Act produced a 
general rejoicing in the colonies. The Legislature of Massachu- 
setts passed an Act remunerating those who had suffered in the 
destruction of their property in attempting to execute the Stamp 
Act. But with characteristic wisdom, they were careful to state 
in the bill itself, that the sufferers had no just claim, and that 



118 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

the relief Avas granted of " tlieir own g'ood will," and not from 
dc^fercnce to any " ro(iuisition made upon them." 

In the meantime the ministry were devising measures of tax- 
ation in the shape of duties upon imports into the colonies. In 
the debates upon the Stamp Act, a distinction had been taken 
between internal and external taxation. It was maintained by 
the opponents of the Stamp Act, that it related to the internal 
trade of the colonies, and was a proper subject to be regulated 
by local law. The ministry thought to avoid this objection by 
imposing a duty upon imports, which related to foreign com- 
merce — to the general subject of trade. But the colonists were 
not disposed to acquiesce in any such distinction. Seeing the 
new attempt of l*arliament to subject them to taxation, the 
people of Boston in town meeting assembled, resolved that they 
would not import British manufactures or other merchandise on 
which duties were imposed. The Legislature of Massachusetts, 
led on by that distinguished and far-seeing patriot, Samuel 
Adams, forwarded instructions to their agent in Great Britain, 
to be communicated to the ministry, in which they embodied 
their fixed and unchangeable opinions. They renewed their 
former declai'ations, that Parliament had no right to tax the 
colonies ; and they further declared that the creation of new 
crown officers, and the sending of a standing army to be 
quartered upon the people, w'cre in fact introducing an absolute 
government into the colony, which would lead to the most dan- 
gerous consequences; for they add significantly, "the laws of 
God and nature are invariable." They also addressed a circular 
to the other colonies, setting forth their common grievances, and 
asking their cooperation in all such measures as may be found 
necessary for the maintenance of their rights as freemen. 

Governor Bernard, with all his professions, was a deadly 
enemy to the Colony. For while he w^as pretending to be 
friendly to the people, and was assuring them of his cooperation 
and aid in all their efforts to obtain their rights, he w^as writing 
to the ministry, representing the Colony in a state of rebellion, 
and urging upon them the necessity of sending over a naval and 
military force to reduce them to subjection. In jNIay, 1768, the 
Eomncy, a j^hip-of-uar, arrived in Boston harbor from Halifax, 
being scut at the suggestion of Bernard, and at the request of 



CAUSES OF TIIE REVOLUTION. HQ 

the Commissioners of Customs, to awe the Bostoniaiis into sub- 
mission. To strengthen his crew, and to show his entire disre- 
gard of the feehngs of the people, and the rights of the colonists, 
the commander forcibly and insolently impressed New England 
seamen to serve on board his ship. He also seized a merchant 
ship belonging to John Hancock, and anchored her under the 
guns of his vessel. This created intense feeling amonof the 
inhabitants. A town meeting was called, and a committee of 
twenty-one was chosen to wait upon the Governor, and present 
an address to the citizens, in which they claimed for the Colony 
the sole power of taxation. At the same time they condemned 
in strong terms, the practice of impressment, and demanded the 
removal of the Romney from the harbor. The town also 
declared and })ut on record, their irrevocable determination to 
assert and maintain their dear and invaluable rights and liberties, 
at the utmost hazard of their fortunes and their lives. At the 
same time, they expressed their readiness to maintain loyalty and 
submission to Great Britain in all things necessary to the preser- 
vation of the whole empire. 

In the midst of this excitement, Governor Bernard laid before 
the Legislature a letter from the British ministry, calling upon 
them to rescind their Resolutions denying the power of Par- 
liament to tax the colonies ; and also to recall their Circular 
addressed to the other colonies, asking their cooperation and 
support in defence of their just rights. This presented a more 
direct and important issue than had ever before been made. 
Here was an express requisition made upon the Legislature, and 
it must be met at once. Under the guidance of Samuel Adams, 
who was ever ready to meet any emergency, an answer was 
returned to Lord Hillsborough, justifying the- course of the 
Legislature, and refusing to retrace their steps. This bold and 
independent measure was sustained by the House with great 
unanimity, there being but seventeen against the measure, and 
ninety-two in its favor. When the Governor was informed by 
a message from the House, that they had refused to rescind, and 
had affirmed their former doings, trembling with fear, he first 
prorogued, and then dissolved the assembly. 

Massachusetts was now without a Legislature. Tlie people 
had no intention to begin a rebellion — they intended to act only 

16 



120 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

on the defensive. They knew their rights, and were determined 
to maintain tliem at every hazard ; but, at the same time, they 
intended to act with prudence. Massachusetts had not only the 
consciousness that she was in the right, but that she had the 
sympathy, and in an emergency, should have the aid and support 
of her sister colonies. 

In the autunm of 1768, hearing that three regiments of troops 
were to be sent to Boston to reduce them to a state of subjection, 
and the Legislature having been dissolved by the Governor, 
the people rcquesfed him to order a new election. On hearing 
of the refusal of Bernard to call a new Legislature, the people 
of Boston repaired to Faneuil Hall, that cradle of American 
Liberty, and resolved, " That the inhabitants of Boston will at 
the utmost peril of their lives and fortunes, maintain and 
defend their rights, liberties, privileges and immunities ; and 
that money cannot be granted, nor a standing army kept up 
in the Province, but by their own free consent." They also 
unanimously requested the selectmen to wait upon the clergymen 
of the town, and request them to set apart the following Tuesday 
as a day of fast lag and |;/Tn/er. The request was cheerfully 
complied with, and the day was kept in a solemn manner. In 
this way the sacred sanctions of religion were brought to bear 
upon the civil j)olicy of our fathers, and hence they asserted their 
rights, not simply as patriots who owed a debt to their country, 
but as Christians who were under obligations to their God. 

Shortly after, a Convention of the Province assembled at 
Boston to consult upon the public safety. One of their first 
acts was to petition the Governor to summon a constitutional 
Legislature, to prevent the encroachments of the military upon 
the civil power.. The Governor not only refused to receive their 
petition, but admonished the Convention to separate, as they 
should "repent of their rashness." The Convention, however, 
continued in session six days, and repeated the protest of the 
Colony against taxation by Parliament, and against a standing 
army quartered among them. There were many in the Province, 
and foremost among them was Samuel Adams, who saw that a 
collision of arms was inevitable. But it was desirable to unite 
all the people in the Colony, and also to secure the sympathy and 
assistance of the other colonics. The cause was one, and all 



CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. 121 

had a common interest in the result ; and so all must be induced, 
if possible, to act together. To secure this, it was essential that 
wise and discreet measures should be adopted. On this ground, 
prudence and a strict adherence to law, were strongly enjoined. 
Adams, though firm as a rock, and fearless in the hour of 
danger, was at all times cool and collected, and knew when to 
arouse, and when to soothe public feeling. Patriotism with him 
was a religious sentiment ; and though he had a zeal of God, it 
was always according to knowledge. He knew that it would be 
madness for the citizens of Boston to provoke an encounter with 
the King's troops, which were about to be landed among them ; 
but he knew that by holding the military to a strict legal account, 
and keeping it subordinate to the civil power, the force would be 
of but little utility to the crown ; and would, in fact, do but 
little towards enforcing the arbitrary commands of the treach- 
erous Governor. 

A few days after the adjournment of the Convention, a 
squadron from Halifax, with two regiments of troops and 
a company of artillery on board, arrived in the harbor of 
Boston. The selectmen being called upon to provide quarters 
for the troops, taking the advantage of an Act of Parliament, 
refused to grant them " till the barracks were full," at Castle 
AVilliara. The Governor's Coimcil also insisted upon this pro- 
vision of law, and refused to furnish quarters. They also refused 
to provide supplies of provisions and fuel without the consent of 
the Legislature, which had been dissolved by the Governor 
himself. Thus was the treacherous Bernard caught in his own 
toils. He was greatly perplexed in providing for the troops he 
had secretly called for ; to send them down to the Castle^ as 
Fort Independence was then called, would be removing them 
too far from the point where he wished to station them, that 
they might awe the people into submission. Great efforts had 
been made, both in England and in this country, to have 
Otis, Adams, and other leading patriots, sent to Great Britain 
to be tried for their lives. But after all the endeavors of the 
corrupt and deceitful Bernard, and the administration at home, 
it was decided by the law officers of the crown, that their acts 
did not constitute treason, the only crime which by the statute 
would justify their being brought to England for trial. 



122 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

The people of Boston were encouraged to persevere in their 
rcsohition not to import dutiable articles. Many of the towns 
in the I*rovincc adopted resolutions, assuring the citizens of the 
metropolis tliat they woiUd aid them in carrying out that policy. 
The people of Lexington as we have already seen, declared in 
17Gi), that they would drink no more tea till the unconstitutional 
revenue Act should be repealed. Such assurances from every 
quarter gave the people of Boston great courage, and induced 
them to persevere. Boston being the seat of oppression, was of 
course the first to complain — the first to speak out — the first to 
act. And they pei-formed their part nobly. But at the same 
time, it should be understood that the patriots of Charlestown, 
of Roxbury, of Cambridge, of Salem, and we may add of the 
towns generally, counselled with the patriots of Boston, and 
wluijtcver was done at Boston, was sustained by the people in 
the interior. The people in the country followed the town of 
Boston, not merely because Boston had acted, but because she 
had acted on the general policy, and carried out the great princi- 
ples to which all the people, both in the town and in the country, 
had assented. 

In 1769, Bernard being notified of his recall, convened the 
newly chosen Legislature, that they might appropriate his salary 
before he left. But the Legislature, true to the interests of 
freedom, even before electing a Clerk or a Speaker, complained 
to the Governor that " the armament by sea and land in the port 
and at the gates of the city, during the session of the Assembly," 
was an indignity to the Legislature. Bernard in reply declared 
that he had no authority over his Majesty's troops ; whereupon 
they declare by way of rejoinder, that a standing army, uncon- 
trollable by the civil authority of the Province, was dangerous 
to liberty and inconsistent with the spirit of a free constitution. 
The Governor however adjourned the Legislature to Cambridge, 
that they need not be overawed by the presence of the troops ; 
and his great object being to obtain his salary, he urged 
the appropriation upon the House ; but that body instead of 
granting it, directly refused, and petitioned the crown for 
his removal from the government. They also affirmed their 
former doctrine in relation to taxation, and declared that "the 
establishment of a standing army in the Colony in timcof peace, 



CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. 123 

without the consent of the Legislature, was an invasion of the 
natural and chartered rights of the people." 

The treacherous Bernard was succeeded by the more treach- 
erous Hutchinson ; and the affairs of the Colony were not at all 
imp'roved by the change. The ministry had so far yielded to the 
colonies as to remove the tax upon tea ; but the concessions came 
too late. The people plainly saw that paying the duty upon one 
article, would be surrendering the great principle for which they 
had contended ; and they boldly declared that they would resist 
the payment of taxes in any form. On the 18th of October, 
17(39, the town of Boston published an "Appeal to the World," 
in which they say, " A legal Meeting in the Town of Boston is 
an Assembly where a noble freedom of speech is ever expected 
and maintained ; Avhere men think as they please, and speak as 
they think. Such an Assembly has ever been the dread, and 
often, the scourge of Tyrants. Our Rights are invaded by the 
lie venue Acts ; therefore, till they are all repealed, and the 
troops recalled, the cause of our just complaints cannot be 
removed." Still the people of Boston were disposed to abide by 
all laws constitutionally made ; for while they had no disposition 
to encounter the troops stationed in their midst, they were 
careful to have every officer and soldier, who should invade the 
rights of the citizen, or trample upon the civil authority, brought 
before the magistrate. In this Avay, they rendered the troops 
comparatively harmless, and as burdensome to the crown as they 
were to the people. ■ 

The troops so stationed, became weary of a hfe of' inactivity, 
and, like soldiers generally in that situation, assumed important 
airs towards the citizens. Small bodies of them would go 
through the town at night creating disturbances, and insulting 
the people who were abroad in the streets. On the evening of 
the 2d of March, 1770, a number of British soldiers having 
collected in State street, insulted some of the citizens who were 
passing, which soon drew together a considerable concourse of 
people. Preston, a British captain, who was officer of the day, 
soon appeared with a file of men with fixed bayonets, and their 
muskets loaded. Preston ordered them to fire upon the citizens, 
which they did, killing three men, and wounding several others. 
The excitement was fearful. The bells ranu in all the churches. 



124 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON, 

The town drums beat. "To arms! to arms," was the cry. 
The pco])le were excited almost to madness at the siglit of their 
slaughtered brethren. At eleven the next day, a town meeting 
was opened at Faneuil Ilall with a prayer by Rev. Mr. Cooper. 
Samuel Adams and fourteen others were chosen a committee to 
wait upon the Governor, and, in the name of the town, demand 
the removal of the troops. The Governor after considerable 
hesitation consented to remove one regiment to the Castle ; but 
decided to retain the rest in the toAvn. Faneuil Hall being 
insufficient to contain the multitude which had assembled, the 
meeting was adjourned to the Old South Church. The com- 
mittee which had waited upon Hutchinson, came in with their 
report of the interview, and pronounced the answer of the* Gov- 
ernor unsatisfactory . 

The town after due deliberation raised a new committee, com- 
posed of Adams, Hancock, Warren, and other prominent citi- 
zens, to bear to the Governor their final message. Samuel 
Adams, always manly and dignified, Avould at times rise even 
above himself, and speak with a majesty and authority which 
would excite admiration and command obedience. Here was a 
proper occasion for him to appear as he was, truly great. 
Hutchinson had exerted himself to the utifiost to have Adams 
sent to England as a traitor to be tried for his life ; and at this 
important juncture the patriot and the courtier stood face to face. 
" It is the unanimous opinion of the meeting," said Adams to 
the Governor, " that your reply to the vote of the inhabitants in 
the morning is unsatisfactory : notliing less will satisfy them 
than a total and immediate removal of all the troops." Hutch- 
inson hesitated, repeating his former statement, that he had no 
power to remove them. "If you have power," rejoined Adams, 
" to remove one regiment, you have power to remove both. It 
is at your peril, if you do not. The meeting is composed of 
three thousand people. They are become very impatient. A 
thousand men are already arrived from the neighborhood, and 
the country is in general motion. Night is approacliing ; an 
immediate answer is expected." Hutchinson hesitated, trembled, 
and finally ([uailed before the master-spirit of this patriot band, 
and consented to withdraw the troops from the toAvn, and quarter 
them at the Castle. On the return of the committee with the 



CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. 125 

intelligence, the meeting dispersed ; but not until they had pro- 
vided a strong military watch of their own, to be on duty till the 
regiments should leave the town whose peace and safety they had 
disturbed. 

The Governor was mortified and chagrined, at finding himself 
foiled in his plan, and his military force checked and controlled 
by the civil authority. The government at home, sharing in 
tliis mortification, strove to raise the military above the civil 
power by placing the proscribed town of Boston under martial 
law. The Governor, in consequence of this step, resigned the 
Castle to the military commander at Boston. This new act of 
arbitrary power on the part of the King and Council, tended to 
hasten the rupture which the wisest statesmen had long seen to 
be merely a question of time. 

Up to the commencement of 1772, Boston had acted without 
any special concert with other tOAvns in the Province. Eesolu- 
tions had been adopted, and the leading patriots in Boston had 
counselled with kindred spirits in other towns ; but there had 
been no organized channel of communication. But as the 
weight of British vengeance seemed to be concentrating upon 
Boston alone, many of her patriotic citizens were filled with 
apprehension, bordering upon despair. And well might they 
hesitate, if not tremble. They saw their town subjected to 
martial law, and their trade threatened with destruction ; the 
King and Parliament, drawing the cords of oppression tighter 
and tighter around them. And while these accumulating evils 
seemed to be gathering, as if to burst upon their devoted heads, 
they saw some of the other colonies faltering and even giving in 
a partial adherence to the demands of their common oppressor. 
Boston had become comparatively quiet, and the fires of patri- 
otism seemed to be dying out. John Adams had retired from 
the service of the people ; Hancock faltered ; Cushiug, Phillips, 
Church, and others who had been active before, hesitated or 
declined active service in the patriot cause. But there was one 
man among them who knew not despondency ; one who was 
reared up for the crisis, and who like all truly great men, was 
sm'e to rise with the occasion. Samuel Adams stood firm at his 
post. Seeing the crisis approaching, he was resolved to meet 
it. He saw in prospect tlie independence of the colonies, and 



126 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

knowing that great events could be brought about only by 
active and well concerted means, he conceived the plan of 
opening a correspondence with all the towns in the Province ; 
and by an organized system of town and county committees to 
form a sort of government by which the energies of the Colony 
might be directed, and so be prepared for any exigency which 
might arise. And though his plan at first was but feebly seconded 
in Boston, and some who had been active before, refused to act 
on the committee ; in a short time there came a response from 
the country, which infused new life into the people, confirming 
the wavering, and gaining new advocates for the cause of 
popular rights. 

When the Legislature assembled in. January, 1773, these 
responses from the towns were laid before them. The popular 
voice thus expressed, the firmness manifested, and the determina- 
tion evinced by the people themselves in their primary meetings, 
strengthened the hands of the Assembly, and rekindled in their 
bi'easts those fires of patriotism, which were never more to 
expire. The Governor in his message to the two Houses, with 
the design of either bringing them to submission, or into a more 
direct conflict with the parent government, called upon them 
either to admit or disprove the supremacy of Parliament. The 
House, by its champion, Samuel Adams, took up the Governor's 
message, and in an able and artful manner, showed that, from 
the premises laid down by the Governor in that document, the 
power of Parliament could not be supreme over the colonies. 
Encouraged by the almost unanimous voice of the whole 
Province, and strengthened by the noble and patriotic response 
from. Virginia, the leading patriots of Massachusetts saw that 
the issue was fairly made, and that a rupture between the 
colonies and Great Britain was inevitable, and that nothins- but 
union and firmness were necessary to insure independence. 
Their future measures, thercfoj^, must look to this result. 

While these things were occurring, the feelings of the people 
of jMassachusctts were further exasperated by the publication of 
sundry letters written by Governor Hutchinson to the ministry 
in England, urging the adoption of the most arbitrary and 
oppressive measures against the Colony. By this development, 
what had been suspected before, was now more than confirmed. 



CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. 127 

It appeared that the Governor had been guilty of tlie greatest 
hypocrisy and treachery, urging Great Britain to oppress the 
people over which he was ruling ; while to them lie was making 
the most solemn protestations of friendship, and assuring them 
that he was doing everything in his power to lessen their burdens 
and secure their rights. 

The East India Company, anticipating a profitable market in 
America, had purchased a large amount of tea, and to prevent 
a heavy loss, they prevailed upon the Council to allow them to 
ship it to America free of duty in England. The ministry pro- 
bably thought that this would afford a good opportunity to test 
the principle, and obtain a concession from the colonists. A 
large quantity of tea was shipped to America. Three cai-gocs 
were destined to Boston. In the meantime, the Committee of 
Correspondence had succeeded in enlisting the sympathy of most 
of the towns in the Province ; and had obtained the assurance 
from the other colonies, that they would resist this new imposition, 
and would not suffer the tea to be landed. The amount of duty 
w'as small, but, as the payment of it would recognize the 
right of Parliament to tax them, they could not consistently with 
their oft repeated declarations, submit. 

Besides the leading statesmen were fully sensible that an open 
rvipture must inevitably take place at no very distant day ; and 
they did not intend that any act of concession should be cited 
ao-ainst them, when the eventful period should arrive. They 
chose rather to meet the oppressor at the threshold, and admonish 
him of the danger of his measures, before it was too late. It 
was for Massachusetts in this case, as in all others, to take the 
lead. The people knew that the tea ships were on their passage, 
and that the Governor himself in the name of his sons, was 
among the consignees. A large assembly convened at the 
"Liberty Tree," where the consignees had been requested to 
meet the people. Adams, Hancock, and other distinguished 
patriots, were present, but the consignees failed to appear. 

A committee was chosen to wait upon them at their ware- 
houses, and request them not to land the tea, but to return it to 
England in the same vessels in which it had been shipped. The 
consignees without hesitation refused to hearken to their request. 
A town meeting was called, and a similar request made in the 
17 



128 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

name of the town. In the meantime one of the sliips arrived in 
the harbor, the owner of wliieh promised the Committee of Cor- 
respondence, that the entry of the ship should be delayed for 
several days. The citizens of Boston held a meeting the next 
morning, which was the largest ever known in the town. Adams, 
Hancock, Wan-en, and other prominent men were present, and 
took part in the proceedings. It was voted 'unanimously, that 
the tea should not be landed, but should be sent back without 
the payment of the duty. The OAvners of this ship and others 
which wei-e soon expected, finally agreed that they would not 
enter the tea, but would return it, agreeably to the request of 
the citizens. Meantime the people of Boston were receiving 
assurances of cooperation from all parts of the Province. Cam- 
bridge, Charlestown, Roxbury, Dorchester, and many other 
towns in the immediate vicinity, acted with them through their 
committees. Towns more remote assured them of their aid. 
" We trust in God," vrrote the people of Lexington, " that should 
the state of our affairs require it, we shall be ready to sacrifice 
our estates and evei^ything dear in life, yea, and life itself, in 
support of the common cause.'' Such was the pledge given ; 
and nobly was it redeemed. 

The other two ships had arrived, and the twenty days had 
nearly elapsed, within which they must enter at the custom 
house or obtain a clearance. The Governor had stationed an 
armed ship in the channel below, and had caused the guns at the 
Castle to be loaded, to prevent the departure of the ships without 
his permission, — which he had resolved not to grant. On the 
16th of December, 1773, the people of Boston, with at least 
two thousand men from the country, assembled at the Old South 
Church, and resolved that the tea should not be landed. The 
meeting continued in session till after dark, when the final report 
came that the Governor had resolved that the vessels should not 
pass the Castle, till the tea had been discharged. Whereupon 
Samuel Adams rose in great dignity and said, " This meeting 
can do nothing more to save the country.'' In a moment a 
shout was heard at the door ; the war-whoop resounded ; a party 
of forty or fifty men, disguised as Indians, passed by the door ; 
and encouraged by the presence of Adams, Hancock, and others 
at the meeting, repaired to the wharf, where the ships were 



CAUSES OF THE- REVOLUTION. 129 

lyings, and having posted sentinels to keep off intruders, took 
possession of the vessels, and in about three hours the whole 
quantity on board, some three hundred and fifty chests of tea, 
was emptied into the dock, without any injury being done to the 
rest of the cargo. The work being accomplished, the party 
went quietly to their respective homes. John Adams, in a letter 
written the next day, playfully said, "All things were conducted 
w^ith great order, decency, and a perfect submission to govern- 
ment." The destruction of the tea produced a general rejoicing 
throughout the colonies. The act was hailed with great exulta- 
tion everywhere, and 'served to bind the people together more 
closely than anything which had occurred. 

In one of the popular ballads of the day, the destruction of 
the tea is thus graphically described : 

" Quick as thought the ships were boarded, 
Hatches burst, and chests displayed ; 
Axes, hammers, help afTorded ; 

What a glorious crash they made ! " 

The Legislature of Massachusetts took active measures to 
sustain the dignity and maintain the rights of the Province. 
Provision had been made in Great Britain for paying the judges 
of the Supreme Court by the crown. Knowing the tendency 
and design of this measure were to destroy the independence of 
the judiciary, and make it subservient to the king, the Legis- 
lature protested against it, and requested the judges to decline 
the corrupting donation, and at the same time voted them liberal 
salaries from the colonial ti'easury. Four of the judges yielded 
to the request of the Legislature ; but Oliver, the Chief Justice, 
refused. Whereupon the House found a bill of impeachment 
against him, and declared him suspended from office, till the issue 
could be tried by the Council. 

The course pursued by Massachusetts from the first, had 
rendered her the special object of British displeasure ; and the 
destruction of the tea at Boston, filled up the measure of her 
iniquity in the estimation of the king and Parliament ; and this 
Province was marked as the victim on which to pour out the 
vials of their wrath. And well did she merit this preeminence. 



130 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

She was the first to assert the rights of the colonies, and the 
boldest in proclaiming them to the world. She was the most 
steadfast in her determination to resist British encroachments, 
and the most active in her efforts to unite the colonies in the 
great cause of human freedom. Other colonies had taken high 
and patriotic grounds ; and if some of them had, at some partic- 
ular juncture, stepped a little in advance of Massachusetts, they 
were soon seen falling in her rear ; and if they did not tempo- 
rarily forsake her, they thought they had performed their Avhole 
duty, when they had resolved to follow where the Puritan 
Province should lead. 

Freedom, with Massachusetts, was not a passion, but a prin- 
ciple — a deep religious conviction, which was not to be stifled by 
king or Parliament. Her people regarded civil government as a 
divine institution ; and their zeal for civil and for religious liberty 
being kindled at the same altar, they could no more desert the 
state than the church. With no disposition to invade the pre- 
rogatives of Great Britain, they were determined to maintain 
their oavu rights unimpaired. AVith such views and principles, 
resistance to British encroachment would follow as a matter of 
course. The people felt that they were acting under great 
responsibility — that they were acting, not for themselves alone, 
but also for posterity. They knew the insidious arts of des- 
potism in stealing away one right after another, and they chose 
to repel the first aggression. AVhether the tax were great or 
small, they regarded the encroachment as equally palpable ; and 
they esteemed it to be their duty to resist the threepenny tax on 
tea, rather than entail vassalage upon their children and their 
children's children. They disdained all freedom which they held 
at the mercy of foreign masters. Besides, their enlightened 
statesmanship, as»well as their religious faith, taught them that 
this western continent was a field opened by the Supreme Ruler 
of the Universe, for the spread of civil and religious freedom, 
and that at no distant day it must be independent of the old 
world. Consequently when other colonies of less faith faltered, 
Massachusetts, animated by the zeal and faith of a pious min- 
istry, warmed by the patriotism of the eloquent Otis, and guided 
and sustained by the wisdom and unflinching integrity of the 
far-seeing and incorruptible Adams, was ever ready to assert the 



CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. 131 

rights of the colonies, and to adopt such measures as were best 
calculated to sustain the sacred cause of freedom. 

That Massachusetts stood first in what they denominated 
rebellious Provinces, the records of Parliament abundantly show. 
On the 7th of March, 1774, the Earl of Dartmouth laid before 
the House of Lords a great variety of papers in relation to the 
conduct of the American colonies with reference to the duty on 
tea. These papers were referred to a committee consisting of 
about fifty members, who at once selected Massachusetts as the 
head and front of the offending, not only with reference to the 
destruction of the tea, but also in relation to the whole subject 
of taxation, and the poAver of Parliament. In an elaborate 
report submitted to the House of Lords by the Earl of Buck- 
inghamshu-e, April 20, 1774, they say, "that they have atten- 
tively read and considered the several papers relative to the 
proceedings of the Colony of INlassachusetts Bay, in opposition 
to the sovereignty of his Majesty in his Parliament of Great 
Britain, and have carefully inspected the journals of the House 
from the 1st of January, 1764, to the present time." They 
then proceed to give a detailed account of the doings of this 
Colony for the period of ten years — showing that Massachusetts 
had, during that period, not only denied the right of Parliament 
to tax the colonies, but had uniformly thrown every obstacle in 
the way of collecting a revenue in America — overawing the 
officers of the crown, and. compelling them to resign; refusing 
to quarter troops sent over to enforce the laws, and even denying 
the right of sending troops into the Province in times of peace, 
without their consent ; asserting for themselves an exemption 
from the laws of Parliament, and also claiming for themselves 
the riglit to legislate in all cases whatsoever. And while they 
had in this manner denied the power of Parliament, and resisted 
the execution of the laws, they had taken active measures to draw 
the other colonies into the same rebellious policy ; and that 
the destruction of the tea in the harbor of Boston was the 
croAvning act of their insubordination and hostility to the British 
government. 

Lord North in introducing the Boston Port Bill, gives Massa- 
chusetts the preeminence in disloyalty, by saying, " Boston had 
ever been the ringleader in all riots, and had at all times shown 



132 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

a desire of seeing the laws of Great Britain attempted in vain in 
the Colony of Massachusetts Bay. That the act of the mob in 
destroying the tea, and the other proceedings, belonged to the 
acts of the public meeting ; and that though the other colonies 
were peaceable and well inclined towards the trade of this 
country, and the tea would have been landed at New York 
without opposition ; yet when the news came from Boston that 
the tea was destroyed, Governor Try on thought it would be 
prudent to send the tea back to England. Boston alone was to 
blame for having set the example ; therefore Boston ought to be 
the principal object of our attention for punishment." 

Thus, Massachusetts justly claims the merit, if merit it be, in 
being first and foremost in pleading the cause of freedom in 
opposition to the demands of despotic power, and in adopting 
measures which led to the independence of these States. The 
fact that she was singled out by the British Government as the 
object of what they denominated parental chastisement, shows 
that she was regarded as the most forward of the colonies of 
Great Britain in resisting their acts. From this time forth 
Massachusetts was made to feel the special vengeance of an 
oppressive administration. 

As the British ministry was pleased to give Massachusetts the 
credit of being first and foremost in her opposition to their 
measures, so we are willing to accept the honor. What the 
corrupt ministry of George the Thirds was pleased to brand with 
dishonor, Massachusetts regards as patriotism, and glories in, 
as her most praiseworthy deeds, and is willing to submit the 
decision of this question to the impartial verdict of the world. 
That verdict has already been rendered. And while the proud 
court of king George has been pronounced cruel and oppressive, 
the Colony of Massachusetts Bay has been lauded for her patri- 
otism, and extolled for her firm devotion to the great cause of 
freedom and equal rights. 



CHAPTER V. 

GOVERNOR GAGE'S ADMINISTRATION, 

Passage of the Boston Port Eill — Gage appointed Governor — His Instruc- 
tions from Dartmouth — Gage arrives in Boston — The Bill goes into Opera- 
tion — Bells tolled, and a Day of Fasting and^ Prayer appointed — Boston 
holds a Town Meeting — Two Other Bills passed by Parliament transferring 
Appointments to the Crown, and changing Fundamentally our Charter — 
Four Counties meet in Convention — Resolutions adopted — Officers ap- 
pointed by the Crown compelled to resign, and Jurors refuse to be sworn — 
Middlesex Convention's Address — Gage forbids the Holding of Public 
Meetings — • Seizes Public Powder at Charlestown and fortifies Boston Neck 
— Gage calls a General Court — Call revoked — A Provincial Congress 
organized at Salem, and adjourned to Concord — The Provincial Congress 
recommend an Organization of the Militia, appoint General Officers, and 
Committees of Supplies, and Safety — Delegates to the Continental Con- 
gress — Provincial Congress appoint a day of Fasting and Prayer — Wor- 
cester and Concord selected as Depots for Military Stores. 

The steady and undeviating opposition of the Province of 
Massacluisetts to the oppressive acts of the ministry and Parlia- 
ment, and the wisdom by which all their measures had been 
made abortive, naturally rendered that corrupt court impatient 
to crush the Colony at a blow. They only waited for a con- 
venient opportunity. The destruction of the tea filled up the 
measure of colonial iniquity, in the estimation of the ministry ; 
and the mighty power of a mighty nation was to be concentrated 
upon the town of Boston. Lord North brought forward his bill 
for closing the port. It was hurried through both houses of 
Parliament, and received the royal assent on the 31st of March, 
1774. This Act, wliich has generally been denominated the 
" Boston Port Bill," fell particularly hard upon the people of 
Boston and Charlestown. As it was the great mart of commerce 
in New England, and a large share of the people depended in one 
form or another upon the trade of the place, for employment, — 
closing the port, and so annihilating all commerce, spread con- 



134 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

sternation among thousands of tlic inhabitants. But the Act had 
passed, to take effect on the first of June ; and Thomas Gage, 
who was appointed Cajitain General and Governor of Massa- 
chusetts, was intrusted with its execution. 

The situation of the people of Boston, and indeed of the 
Colony, was peculiarly trying. The concentrated power and 
energy of a mighty nation, was to be put forth to crush out the 
warmest aspirations for liberty which had been fondly cherished 
for years. To submit to the cruel demands of their oppressors, 
was to abandon all their former hopes, and to falsify their solemn 
pledges, and by thus degrading themselves, to become slaves. 
On the other hand, what would resistance avail? How could a 
mere handful of unarmed and undisciplined men prevail against 
the mighty power of England ? To a people less firm and con- 
scientious, such a dilemma would have been awful — dividing their 
councils, distracting the people, and rendering the whole commu- 
nity a confused rabble. But the good people of Boston and of 
Massachusetts were not to be seduced by flattery, nor intimi- 
dated by a show of power. They had plighted their faith, and 
their mutual pledges were to be redeemed. They awaited the 
event with unwavering fortitude, resolved at the same time tto 
ward off the blow as best they might. 

Gage being appointed to the command, the Earl of Dart- 
mouth, in his letter of instructions, under date of April 9th, 
informed him that " the sovereignty of the king in liis Parliament 
over the colonies, required a full and absolute submission," and 
that "his command over the king's troops," and his employing 
those troops with effect, "would in all probability secure the 
execution of the law, and sustain his Majesty's dignity." Gage 
landed in Boston on the 17tli of May, and was received by the 
people and the Legislature with all the attention, and with every 
demonstration due to his station. He undoubtedly flattered 
himself, that he should be able in a short time to bring the 
people to submission ; for two days after his arrival, he wrote to 
Lord Dartmouth, " that the Port Bill has staggered the most 
presumptuous." Still he thought it prudent to call for additional 
troops, which were forwarded in the course of the summer and 
early autumn, so that he wrote that he was able " to form a force 
of nearly three thousand men, exclusive of the regiment to 
defend the Castle." 



GOVERNOR GAGE'S ADMINISTRATION. 135 

The Boston Port Bill went into operation on the first of June, 
without any opposition on the part of the people. Still the 
tolling of bells, fasting and prayer, and the exhibition of emblems 
of mourning, proclaimed a deep religious feeling more dangerous 
to the peace of the Governor, and the success of his measures, 
than any display of military force could have been. Amid this 
state of gloom the people were not inactive. On the 13th of 
May, the very day on which Gen. Gage arrived in the harbor, 
the people of Boston met at Faneuil Hall, chose Samuel Adams 
moderator, and adopted a vote inviting all the other colonies " to 
come into a joint resolution to stop all importations from Great 
Britain, till the Act for blocking up the harbor of Boston be 
repealed." At an adjournment of this meeting on the 31st, they 
resolved, " that the impolicy, injustice, inhumanity, and cruelty 
of the Boston Port Bill, exceed our powers of expression ; we 
therefore leave it to the just censures of others, and appeal to 
God and the world," 

Samuel Adams, writing to Arthur Lee, then in London, under 
date of April 4th, says, "the acts of Great Britain wdll produce 
the entire separation and i7idependence of the colonies," and 
that " it requires but a small share of the gift of discernment, 
for any one to foresee that Providence will erect a mighty empire 
in America." But while this great leader in the Province saw 
that a collision was inevitable, and that the result must be 
glorious to the colonies, with that prudence characteristic of the 
truly great, he recommended wise moderation. In a letter to 
Lee, May 18th, 1774, he says, "Our business is to find means 
to evade the malignant design of the Boston Port Bill. Calm- 
ness, courage, and unanimity prevail in Boston. While they 
are resolved not tamely to submit, they wiU, by refraining from 
acts of violence, avoid the snare that they discover to be laid for 
them, by posting regiments so near them." 

But it was not the Boston Port Bill alone, that General Gage 
was to carry into effect. The British Parliament had passed two 
other Acts, quite as objectionable as the Port Bill — Acts which 
robbed the people of many of their rights, and substantially 
nullified their Charter. One was entitled " an Act for better 
regulating the government of the Province of Massachusetts 
Bay," and provided that the counsellors, which had been chosen 

18 



136 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

annually by the General Court, should be appointed by the king, 
and be removable at his pleasure ; that the judges, sheriffs, and 
other civil officers, should be appointed by the Governor ; that 
all jurors which had been chosen by the people, should be 
selected by the sheriffs ; — thus making the Avhole judicial 
department dependent upon tlie crown, and subservient to his 
Avill. The same Act provided that no town meetings, except the 
annual meetino;s for the choice of town officers in March or 
]\Iay, should be holden without the consent of the Governor. 
The other Act provided that any person charged with any capital 
offence, committed while acting " as a magistrate for the suppres- 
sion of riots, or in the support of the laws of revenue, or acting 
in his duty as an officer of revenue," might, at the pleasure of 
the Governor, be removed to any other colony, or to Great 
Britain for trial. 

These Acts formed a system of oppression hardly to be endured 
by a people born to the enjoyment of constitutional liberty. Up 
to this period, the question had been mainly one of taxation ; 
but now almost every right was impaired, and every privilege 
taken away. The great principles of the English Constitution 
and the American Charters, were wantonly violated. These 
Acts not only shut up the harbor of Boston, and thereby 
destroyed the trade of the town, bringing bankruptcy and ruin 
upon men of business, and extreme suffering upon the laboring 
poor ; but they virtually destroyed the impartial administration 
of justice, and practically annulled that gi'cat prerogative of the 
citizen — trial hy jury. Another grand prerogative of the citi- 
zens of Massachusetts was grossly trampled in the dust. From 
the very first, the people of New England had been accustomed 
to assemble together in their town meetings, and there discuss 
all measures which related to their temporal and spiritual in- 
terests. Such meetings were by implication granted in their 
first Charter, and were clearly established by usage and enjoyed 
by the whole people ; and when the despotic Andros attempted 
to abridge this right, the people resisted the encroachment, as an 
attack upon one of their dearest privileges. 

The last named Acts were received by Gen. Gage on the 6th 
of August, 1774, and he lost no time in attempting to carry 
them into effect. Most of his counsellors accepted their appoint- 



GOYERNOR GAGE'S ADMINISTRATION. 137 

ments ; the courts convened under this new authority, and the 
sheriffs summoned their jurors. But the people in the meantime 
were not idle. The town committees, the organization of which 
was, as we have ah'cady seen, devised by Samuel Adams, con- 
stituted a sort of government to which the people looked for 
advice and protection. A meeting of delegates from the town 
committees of the counties of Suffolk, Essex, ISIiddlesex and 
Worcester, met at Fancuil Hall and deliberated upon the state 
of the Province. They pronounced the new measures of Parlia- 
ment "a complete system of tyranny," robbing the people of the 
most essential rights of British subjects, and resolved that all 
officers accepting appointments under these oppressive acts, 
ought to be regarded as traitors to the Colony ; that a Provincial 
Congress ought to be held, and that the action of the courts in 
the meantime ought to be suspended. Such suggestions were 
readily adopted by the people. The judges in attempting to 
hold a court in Berkshire comity, were driven from the bench, 
and jurors selected liy the sheriff' in the county of Suffolk, 
refused to be sworn. The counsellors who had been appointed 
by the king, were compelled to resign, or seek safety in 
Boston. 

On the 30th of August a convention was held at Concord, 
consisting of delegates from every town and district of Mid- 
dlesex county, to deliberate upon the state of the Province. 
Being aware of the critical condition of affairs, they say in their 
Address, " The question now is, whether by a submission to 
some of the late Acts of Parliament, we are contented to be the 
most abject slaves, and entail that slavery upon posterity after 
us ; or by a manly, joint, and virtuous opposition, assert and 
support our freedom. Life and death, or what is more, freedom 
or slaveiy, are, in a peculiar sense, now before us ; and the 
choice and success, under God, depend greatly upon ourselves." 
They resolved that the late Acts of Parliament are unconstitu- 
tional, and that no officers appointed under them ought to be 
obeyed, and conclude by saying — "no danger shall affright, no 
difficulties shall intimidate us ; and if in support of our rights, 
we are called upon to encounter death, we are yet undaunted, 
sensible that he can never die too soon, who lays down his life in 
support of the laws and liberties of his country." Such was the 



138 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

patriotic ground taken by tlie freemen of iMiddlesex — such the 
ennobling sentiments they would instill into the bosom of every 
Amel'ican. Nor was this an empty boast. Their conduct at 
Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill, showed that they were 
true to their professions. To Middlesex county belongs the 
honor of holding the first convention, and taking the lead in 
making a perfect organization against the arbitrary power and 
oppressive policy of the British ministry. With a promptness 
worthy of all praise every town and district responded to the call. 

General Gage kept a watchful eye upon these proceedings ; 
and regarding these public meetings as among the most dan- 
gerous means of rallying the people in o[)position to his authority, 
Avas determined to suppress them. Notices were issued for a 
meeting in Salem to choose delegates to a county convention. 
General (iage issued a proclamation forbidding the people " at 
then* utmost peril from attending any meeting not warranted by 
law." He also sent a detachment of troops to disperse the 
meeting, but on their arrival the people had dispatched their 
business and adjourned. Failing in his attempts to prevent 
such meetings, and hearing that the people were taking public 
measures to perfect themselves in military discipline, the Gov- 
ernor resolved to deprive them of all means of defence, and sent 
out a detachment and seized all the powder in the public maga- 
zine at Charlestown. But fortunately for the cause, the towns 
had withdrawn their respective stock, and consequently none 
Avas left but what belonged to the Province — which was only a 
small quantity. About this time General Gage commenced for- 
tifying Boston Neck, as the isthmus connecting Boston with the 
main land was generally called. This added greatly to the 
excitement which already existed. It was regarded as a warlike 
demonstration, and showed the people a determination on the 
part of the Governor to enforce the odious laws at the point of 
the bayonet. 

Yet the people had no disposition to provoke a contest with 
the king's tx-oops. They chose rather to take peaceable measures 
to prevent the execution of the laws. Nor wei-e they wanting 
in devices of this kind. The odious laws having been passed 
for the express purpose of depri\ing them of their just rights, 
they felt authorized to defeat them by any lawful means. They 



GOVERNOR GAGE'S ADMINISTRATION. 139 

were his Majesty's loyal subjects, and were ready to do anj'thing 
to promote the interest of the empire and honor of the crown ; 
but they must be treated as English subjects. They had too 
much respect for the English Constitution, and the gi-eat prin- 
ciples of English liberty, to sec them trampled upon by a 
heartless ministry, or their lawless subordinates. When they 
obstructed the operation of the courts, or the performance of 
duties by certain newly appointed officers, it was only on the 
ground that these officers were appointed in contravention of 
their Charter and the English Constitution. If they organized 
military companies, it was only to perfect themselves in the art 
of war, that they might be better qualified to defend themselves 
against the king's enemies, and so be enabled to maintain their 
rights as Englishmen. These measures so annoyed General 
Gage, that he made them the special subjects of remark in his 
communications with the ministry. In a letter to the Earl of 
Dartmouth, August 27th, 1774, he says, "It is agreed that 
popular fury was never greater in this Province than at present ; 
it has taken its rise from the old source at Boston, though it has 
appeared first at a distance. These demagogues trust their safety 
in the long forbearance of the Government, and an assurance 
that they cannot be punished. They chicane, elude, openly 
violate, or passively resist the laws, as opportunity serves; and 
opposition to authority is of so long standing that it has become 
habitual." And under date of September 2d, he says, " With 
regard to the clause in the new law relative to town meetings, 
so many elusions are discovered under various pretensions of 
adjournments, electing to vacant offices, people assembling 
peaceably upon their own affairs without notification ; and 
withal no penalty ; that no person I have advised with, can tell 
what to do with it. At a distance they go on as usual. Civil 
government is near its end. Nothing can be done but by forci- 
ble means." Under date of September 20th, he writes, "The 
country people are exercising in arms, and getting magazines of 
arms and ammunition in the country, and such artillery as they 
can procure, good and bad. They talk of fixing a plan of gov- 
ernment of their own ; and it is somewhat surprising that so 
many of the other Provinces interest themsehes so much in 
behalf of this," 



140 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

On the 1st of September, 1774, Govenior Gage issued writs 
convcnins: the General Court at Salem on the 5th of October. 
In many cases the towns in choosing their representatives had 
instructed them to use all peaceable means to oppose the late 
Acts of Parliament. The people of Lexington instructed their 
representative, to "use his utmost influence that nothing be 
transacted as a court under the new council, or in conformity to 
any of the late Acts of Parliament." In the meantime there 
had been several important county conventions, which denounced 
the Acts of Parliament as severe, oppressive, and unconstitu- 
tional, ' designed to strip us of our inalienable rights and dearest 
privileges,' and pointed out various modes of redress. The 
Suffolk resolutions declared, " That no obedience is due from 
this Province to either or any part of these Acts ; " that officers 
who accept appointments under them should be considered " as 
obsthiate and incorrigible enemies to this Colony," and they 
recommend that all collectors of taxes withhold the money from 
the royal treasurer, and hold it subject to the direction of the 
proposed Provincial Congress, which they recommend being 
called. The Essex resolutions pronounced all officers and pri- 
vate persons who attempt to carry out the Acts which violate 
the Charter of the Province, " unnatural and malignant enemies," 
declared that town meetings " ought to be called agreeably to the 
laws of the Province," and that, "if the despotism and violence 
of our enemies should finally reduce us to the sad necessity, we 
undaunted, are ready to appeal to the last resort of states." 
The Plymouth resolutions declare, " That it is a duty every man 
and body of men owes to posterity, as well as to God and our 
countiy, to oppose with all our power, the execution of these 
unjust find oppressive Acts," and they recommended to the 
inhabitants of the Province "never to submit to them in any 
instance whatever." The Worcester resolutions recommended 
to the towns to instruct their representatives, chosen to meet at 
Salem, "absolutely to refuse to be sworn," except by some 
officer " appointed according to the Charter of the Province." 
They also recommended to the several towns to appoint military 
officers, and to provide themselves with anus and ammunition, 
against any emergency that may arise. 

Such is a specimen of the resolutions of the several counties. 



GOVERNOR GAGE'S ADMINISTRATION. 141 

They all recommend a Provincial Congress, and some recommend 
that the members chosen to meet at Salem, resolve themselves 
into such a Congress. They also recommended military pre[)a- 
ration ; and while they discouraged and denounced any attack 
upon the king's troops, they more than intimated that they "would 
resist by force of arms, rather than be converted into slaves. 
They also declared in fiivor of holding town meetings to delib- 
erate upon the affairs of the Province, and recommended that no 
money be paid into the treasury of the Province organized under 
the late Acts of Parliament. The conventions and their doings 
coming to the knowledge of Governor Gage, he issued a procla- 
mation on the 28th of September, adjourning without day the 
General Court, which he had summoned to meet at Salem, 
October the 5th. The reasons assigned for this unusual and 
arl)itrary course were, that many tiunults and disorders had 
taken place since he called the meeting, and that "the extra- 
ordinary resolves which had been passed in many counties, and 
the instructions given by the town of Boston and some other 
towns, to their representatives," rendered it "higlily inexpedient 
that a Great and General Court should be convened," at that 
time. 

But as the proclamation was issued only a few days before the 
time of meeting, many of the members had already left home, 
and were on their way to Salem, before they heard of the 
high-handed measure of the Governor. In obedience to the 
summons and a preconcerted arrangement, nearly one hundred 
members met at Salem on the 5th of October ; and after waiting 
one day to see if the Govei"nor or any public officer would appear 
to administer the oath of office, on the 6th they resolved them- 
selves into a Provincial Congress, and chose John Hancock, 
chairman, and Benjamin Lincoln, clerk. After this temporary 
organization, they voted to adjourn to the 11th inst., to meet at 
the court house at Concord, that being the time and place 
designated by several of the counties for holding a Provincial 
Congress, before the meeting of the General Court at Salem had 
been ordered by the Governor. 

After a session of three days at Concord, the Congress 
adjourned to Cambridge, where their sittings were continued 
from the 17th of October to the 10th of December. Durinof 



142 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

this session, they adopted a system of measures to put the 
Province in a state of preparation and defence. Though they 
deprecated hostihties with Great Britain, and had not " the most 
distant design of attacking, annoying, or molesting his Majesty's 
troops," they were not insensible to the fact that these troops 
were brought into the Province to reduce the people to a state of 
subjection to luijust and arbitrary laws, which would render 
them the mere vassals of a corrupt foreign ministry. To guard 
against an evil which they deemed greater than death itself, they 
adopted a plan of organizing, arming, and calling out the militia, 
in case of emergency. This plan provided among other things, 
that all able-b(Mlied men should be enrolled, and that these 
companies should immediately assemble, and elect their proper 
officers ; that these officers, when elected, should assemble as 
soon as may be, and elect field officers ; that the field officers 
should enlist at least one quarter of the men enrolled, and form 
them into companies of at least fifty men, each man to be armed 
and erjuippcd, and held in readiness to march on the shortest 
notice. These were what wei-e denominated minute men. In 
addition to the platoon and field officers, they provided for gen- 
eral officers and designated their rank. To meet the expenses 
which might arise from the employment of the militia, and to 
procure such arms and military stores as might be necessary, 
they chose a committee of supplies, consisting of David Cheever 
of Charlestown, Mr. Gill, Col. Lee, IVIr. Greenleaf and Col. 
Lincoln ; and to cany out this part of the plan more effisctually, 
they elected Henry Gardner, Esq., of Stow, as Treasurer and 
Receiver General, and directed that all taxes that had been 
granted, and all moneys in the hands of collectors, should be 
paid over to this new treasurer, instead of being paid into the 
royal treasury. They also created what they denominated a 
"Committee of Safety," consisting of John Hancock, Dr. War- 
ren, Dr. Church, Mr. Devens, Capt. White, Mr. Palmer, Mr. 
Quincy, MrT^Vatson and Col. Orne, and clothed them with 
large discretionary powers ; and among them, the power of 
calling out the militia in such numbers and at such times and 
places, as they might deem expedient. The Congress subse- 
quently selected Jedediah Preble, (who declined the appointment,) 
Artemas AVard, Scth Poiueroy, John Thomas, William Heath, 



GOVERNOR GAGE'S ADMINISTRATION. 143 

as General officers to command the troops in case they were 
called out. 

After adopting this general plan, and selecting the appropriate 
officci's to carry it into effect, the ProvinciaJ Congress prepared 
and published an Address " to the freeholders and other inhabit- 
ants of the towns and districts of Massachusetts Bay," in M'hich 
they say, " You are placed by Providence in the post of honor, 
because it is the post of danger ; and while struggling for the 
noblest of objects, the liberties of your country, the happiness of 
posterity, and the rights of human nature, the eyes, not only of 
North America and the whole British empire, but of all Europe, 
are upon you. Let us therefore be altogether solicitous that no 
disorderly behavior, nothing unbecoming our characters as Amer- 
icans, as citizens, and as Christians, be justly chargeable to us." 
They also prepared an Address to the clergy, in which they 
recommend "to the ministers of the Gospel in the several towns, 
and other places in this Colony, that they assist us in avoiding 
that dreadful slavery, with which we are now threatened, by 
advising the people of their several congregations, as they wish 
their prosperity, to abide by, and strictly adhere to, the resolu- 
tions of the Continental Congress, as the most peaceable and 
probable methods of preventing confusion and bloodshed." 
Before closing their labors, tlie Provincial Congress made choice 
of John Hancock, Thomas Cushing, Samuel Adams, John 
Adams, and Robert Treat Paine, to represent this Province in 
the next Continental Congress. 

While these things were occurring in Massachusetts, the Con- 
tinental Congress was holding a session in Philadelphia. This 
patriotic body was composed of delegates from twelve Provinces ; 
JVIassachusetts being represented at that time by Thomas Cushing, 
Samuel Adams, John Adams, and Robert Treat Paine. They 
a])proved the measures and endorsed the doctrines put forth by 
the county conventions, and the Provincial Congress of Massa- 
cliusetts. They also recommended an agreement, and entered 
into a covenant, not to import or consume British merchandise or 
manufactures. They likewise adopted a Petition to the king, an 
Address to the people of Great Britain, and to the inhabitants of 
the Colonies, and another to the people of Canada. But wdiile 
this Congress were tiiily firm and independent, and were resolved 

19 



144 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

to support tlie riulits of the Colonies ; and while they approved 
of the manly and noble stand taken by the people of jNIassaehu- 
setts, they knew the strong temptation they were under to commit 
some overt act of war against the king's troops ; and hence they 
recommended to the people of Massachusetts, "to submit to a 
suspension of the administration of justice, where it could not be 
procured in a legal and peaceable manner, under the rules of 
their present Charter and the laws of the Colony." They also 
recommended to the people of Boston, "to conduct themselves 
peaceably towards Governor Gage, and his ^Majesty's troops 
stationed there, as far as can possibly be consistent with their 
immediate safety, and the security of the town ; avoiding and 
discountenancing every violation of his Majesty's property, or 
any insult to his troops ; and that they peaceably and firmly per- 
severe in the line they are now conducting, on the defensive." 
Such were the measures adopted — and such the policy recom- 
mended by the patriots who composed the Continental Congress : 
— a body of men concerning whom Lord Chatham said in the 
British Parliament, " I must declare and avow, that for solidity 
of reasoning, force of sagacity, and wisdom of conclusion, under 
such a complication of difficult circumstances, no nation or body 
of men, can stand in preference to the General Congress at Phil- 
adelphia. It must be obvious to your Lordships, that all 
attempts to impose servitude upon such men, must be vain — 
must be futile." 

While these decided measures were being adojitcd by the 
people in the Colony, and while every county, and almost every 
town in Massachusetts, was, in its humble way, resounding with 
notes of preparation, the tories and the British officials were 
ridiculing the idea of attempting to withstand his Majesty's troops. 
A British officer, writing from Boston, November 3, 1774, 
says, "The Resolutions of Congress are only thrown out as a 
bugbear to intimidate the merchants of Boston, and frighten the 
ministry into a repeal of the late Acts. The faction in Boston 
is now very low. Believe me, all ranks of the people are 
heartily tired of disorder and confusion ; as soon as the deter- 
mination of Great Britain to dispose of their resolves and peti- 
tions is known, all will be very quiet." Another British officer 
writing from Boston, November 22d, to a friend in London, says, 



GOVERNOR GAGE'S ADMINISTRATION. 145 

" As to what you hear of their taking arms to resist the force of 
England, it is mere bullying, and will go no further than words ; 
whenever it comes to blows, he that can run the fastest, will think 
himself best off. Believe me, any two regiments here ought to 
be decimated, if they did not beat in the field the whole force of 
Massachusetts Province ; for though they are numerous, they 
are but a mere mob, without order or discipline, and are very 
awkward at handling their arms." Writing liome to Scotland from 
Boston, December 2Gth, an officer in the king's service declares, 
" Our army is in high spirits, and at present this town is pretty 
quiet, I make no doubt things will wear a new face here, 
especially when your sentiments of the ministry's firmness are 
authenticated." While letters from Boston were representing 
the Americans as cowards, Colonel Grant declared in the House 
of Commons, February 2d, 1775, " that he had served in America, 
and knew the Americans well ; was certain they would not fight. 
They M^ould never dare to face an English army, and did not 
possess any of the qualifications necessary to make a good 
soldier," 

Though certain officers in the British army at Boston, 
attempted to call in question the courage of the Americans, 
and to ridicule the idea of their resorting to arms. General 
Gage viewed the proceedings of the Provincial Congress with 
isome degree of apprehension ; especially their recommendation 
for the organization of the militia. Consequently on the 10th 
of November, 1774, he issued a proclamation in which he 
denounced these measures as havino- " a most dano'erous ten- 
dency to ensnare his Majesty's subjects, the inhabitants of this 
Province, and draw them into perjuries, riots, seditions, treason 
and rebellion ; " and he exhorts and commands, in his Majesty's 
name, " all his liege subjects," not to compdy " in any degree 
with the resolves, recommendations, directions, and regulations," 
of the Provincial Congress, "as they regard his Majesty's 
highest displeasure, and would avoid the pains and penalties of 
the law." 

The Governor, however, felt himself strengthened and sup- 
ported by the fact that at the meeting of Parliament, November 
29th, the king, in his speech from the throne, assured them of 
" liis firm and steadfast resolution to withstand every attempt to 



146 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

weaken or impair the supreme autliority of Parliament over the 
colonies ; " and that the Lords and Commons had, by a large 
majority, sustained the crown. The Governor was also in- 
structed by Lord Dartmouth, imder dates of December 10, 1774, 
and January 4, 1775, to carry out his Majesty's pleasure, and to 
use his utmost endeavors to prevent the appointment of delegates 
to the Continental Congress, to be holden in May, 1775. The 
Governor, in response to these instructions, assures his lordship 
that the firm stand taken by the king and Parliament " has cast a 
damp upon the faction," and he begins to hope that "they will 
fall on some means to pay for the tea " they had destroyed. 

But Avhile Gage was flattering himself with the hope, that the 
action of Parliament would awe the colonies into submission, 
the fires of patriotism were burning brighter and brighter in the 
bosoms of all true Americans. The several towns and districts 
in the Province had elected their delegates to the second Pro- 
vincial Congress, and on the 1st day of February, 1775, they 
assembled at Cambridge, and organized for the dispatch of 
business. On the 9th, they elected Hon. John Hancock, Dr. 
Joseph Warren, Dr. Benj. Church, Jr., Mr. Eichard Devens, 
Capt. "Benjamin White, ~Col. Joseph Palmer, Mr. Abraham 
Watson, Col. Azor Orne, Mr. John Pigeon, Col. William 
Heath and Mr. Jabez Fisher, a Committee of Safety, to continue 
in power till the further order of this or some other Congress 
or House of Representatives of the Province. They also " em- 
powered and directed" them, when they should think it expe- 
dient, " to alarm, muster, and cause to be assembled with the 
utmost expedition, and completely armed and accoutred, and 
supplied with provisions sufficient for their support in their march 
to the place of rendezvous, such and so many of the militia of 
this Province, as they shall judge necessary for the end and 
purpose of opposing " the execution of the late Acts of Parlia- 
ment, designed to annul the Charter, and enslave the people of 
the Province. And they earnestly recommended to all officers 
and soldiers of the militia, to obey the calls of this committee, 
" and to pay the strictest obedience thereto, as they regard 
the liberties and lives of themselves, and the people of the 
Province." 

At the same time, they had appointed, as before stated. 



GOVERNOR GAGE'S ADMINISTRATION. 147 

general officers to command the troops called out by the Com- 
mittee of Safety. They also published a patriotic and spirited 
Address to the Inhabitants of Massachusetts, which commences 
and closes as follows: ^^ Friends and Fellow Sufferers: — 
When a people, entitled to that freedom which your ancestors 
have nobly preserved as the richest inheritance of their children, 
are invaded by the hand of oppression, and trampled on by 
the merciless feet of tyranny, resistance is so far from being 
criminal, that it becomes the Christian and social duty of 
each individual. Your conduct hitherto under the severest 
trials, has been worthy of you as men and Christians, and 
notwithstanding the pains that have been taken by your ene- 
mies, to inculcate the doctrine of non-resistance and passive 
obedience, and by every art to delude and terrify you, the whole 
continent of America has this day come to rejoice in your firm- 
ness. We trust vou will still continue steadfast, and having 
regard to the dignity of your characters as freemen, and those 
generous sentiments resulting from your natural and political 
connections, you will never submit your necks to the galling 
yoke of despotism prepared for you ; but with a proper sense of 
your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which 
Heaven gave, and no man ought to take from you." 

Having dispatched their business, and appointed Thursday, the 
sixteenth day of March, as a day of fasting and prayer to the 
Sovereign Kuler of nations, the Provincial Congress adjourned 
on the 16th of February, to meet at Concord on the 22d of 
March. 

The Committee of Safety and the Committee of Supplies, 
held meetings almost daily between the sessions of the Congress, 
and adopted the most active and efficient measures to put the 
Colony in a state of defence. That there might be more 
harmony and efficiency, they generally met together. They 
directed sub-committees to procure cannon and small arms, 
powder and ball, and military stores such as provisions, tents, 
entrenching tools, and whatever would be required in case troops 
were called into the field. The journal of their proceedings 
shows at once their energy and their poverty — their strong 
devotion to the cause of liberty, and the destitution of the 
Colony in almost everything necessary to carry on a war, in case 



148 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

they were driven to the necessity of taking up arms in defence 
of their rights. They selected Worcester and Concord, as the 
depots of such arms and stores as they could obtain. But their 
journal shows greater preparation than was actually made. The 
cannon and other stores ordered, could not in many cases be 
obtained. But everything in the Colony went to show that a 
rupture was expected, and that stout hearts and strong hands 
were relied upon to supply the defects of munitions of war ; and 
that the patriots trusted in the justice of their cause, and the 
overruling providence of God to bring them off conquerors and 
more than conquerors, should their oppressors take the field 
against them. 

As the object of this chapter has been to state the real question 
at issue, and to show the various steps by which the collision was 
brought about, we have brought the account down to the first of 
March, 1775, being about the period when General Gage com- 
menced operations in the field. We have seen that the contro- 
versy originated in the question of taxation ; Great Britain 
claiming the right to legislate for the colonies "in all cases 
whatsoever," and consequently to impose such taxes upon them 
as the king and Parliament might think fit ; and the colonies 
insisting that by their charters and the great principles of jNIagna 
Cliarta, they, having all the rights, immunities and prerogatives 
of Englishmen, could not be taxed without their consent ; that 
taxation without representation was oppressive, and that all laws 
to raise a revenue in America, without the consent of the people, 
were in direct contravention of the English Constitution and the 
colonial charters ; and so were unconstitutional and void. The 
British Government, finding themselves unable to meet this issue 
in the field of debate, and knowing that the united voice of the 
people in the colonies was sustained by many of their ablest 
statesmen at home, resolved to change the issue by altering the 
American charters, so as to give Great Britain, if not civil, at 
least military control over the colonies. The Charter of Massa- 
chusetts was at first taken away, and subsequently restored with 
important changes, greatly increasing the power of the crown, 
and consequently reducing that of the colonists. But though 
this modified Charter was in fact forced upon the colonists, the 
ministry were not disi)0scd to abide by it, but actually took the 



GOVERNOR GAGE'S ADMINISTRATION. H9 

liberty of infringing its provisions, whenever they were found to 
stand in the way of their unjust and oppressive measures. They 
not only trampled upon the rights of the Colony, as a body politic 
and corporate, but they invaded the private rights of individuals 
in points relating, not only to property, but to liberty and life, 
by controlling the courts of justice, depriving the people of the 
right of trial by jury, and the privilege of meeting together 
peaceably to deliberate upon their own affairs. These unconsti- 
tutional and oppi-essive measures — this system of tyranny, 
deliberately adopted and persistently adhered to, for the express 
purpose of reducing the colonies to a state of abject and 
degrading servitude, they attempted to enforce at the point of 
the bayonet. 

It was not simply a question of taxation or no taxation, but a 
question of freedom or slavery, that the people were called upon 
to decide ; — not merely a question Avhether they should be taxed 
to feed their oppressors, but whether they should submit to evils 
far greater, and enormities more to be dreaded, because more 
personal in their character ; — whether they should have their 
property torn from them in mock trials by judges taken from 
among their oppressors, and by juries packed by corrupt crown 
officers — Avhether their lives should be put in jeopardy by being 
torn from their families, and transported beyond the seas to be 
tried for pretended offences. This was the issue forced upon the 
people at that day. Our patriot fathers were not rebels in the 
common acceptation of that term. They did not revolt against 
the mother country, or refuse to obey laws constitutionally made, 
and designing to apply to all his Majesty's subjects. Xo ; they 
simply refused to acquiesce in a system of measures applying to 
themselves alone, and adopted for the avowed purpose of de- 
priving them of the rights of British subjects, and of bringing 
them trembling to the foot of the throne. 

Nor was this noble stand taken by our fathers, till all other 
means had failed. Petition and entreaty had been resorted to, 
but repeated petitions had been answered only by repeated inju- 
ries ; and it was not till all hope of redress had failed, that they 
took the last resolve to stand by their rights at the hazard of 
their lives. And even then, they resolved not to be the aggres- 
sors. If blood must How, its stain should not be upon their 



150 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

hands ; if liuman life must be sacrificed, they would be the first 
victims. Though they believed their cause to be just, they 
would not forfeit the approbation of the God of battles, by any 
hasty or rash act of their own. Though they were preparing for 
the defence of their rights, at every sacrifice and every hazard, 
and were resolved, if need be, to submit the decision to the 
arbitrament of arms, they were nevertheless determined that the 
first overt act should not be chargeable upon them. Pursuant 
to this deliberate resolution, it was not till they were attacked — 
not until they saw their brethren deliberately shot doAvn by their 
side, that they unsheathed the sword, and committed their cause 
to the Lord of Sabaoth. 

On their part the approaching struggle was to be a religious 
war in the highest and best sense of the term. Not that thev 
entered upon it in any sectarian spirit, or prosecuted it to sustain 
a party. They believed that they were the children of God, 
whose care extended over all their interests, whether civil or 
religious ; that he had i^egard for their rights as citizens, as well 
as for their privileges as Christians, and that they were bound to 
preserve both by every means in their power. The motives 
which led their fathers to this country, the difficulties and 
dangers through which they had passed, the sustaining hand of 
God which had been visible in their whole history, led them to 
believe that they had a special trust committed to them, which 
they must discharge with fidelity ; that they were placed as sen- 
tinels to guard the sacred cause of civil and religious liberty, 
and must stand at their post, and transmit the blessing to those 
that were to come after them. It is a libel upon the character 
of our filthers, to say that they involved the country in all the 
horrors of war, rather than pay a petty tax upon stamped paper 
and tea. They had motives higher, purer, and holier, than that 
of avoiding the payment of an insignificant tax. They planted 
themselves upon the great principles of human rights — of fealty 
to their country, and fidelity to their God. They felt that 
they had personal rights which they were bound to defend — a 
duty they owed to posterity, which they were under a sacred 
obligation to discharge — a devotion to the Most High, which it 
were treason to disregard. Such were the motives and the con- 
victions of our patriot sires. They fought not to conquer, but 



GOVERNOR GAGE'S ADlVnNISTRATION. 151 

to defend ; not to humble a foe, but to build up a commonwealth 
on the great principles of equal rights. To these duties they 
were prompted by the dictates of patriotism, and the teachings 
of the Word of Life. 



Note. — An event worthy of notice occurred within the period covered by 
this chapter, which is stated here, so as not to interrupt the chain of events 
which were tending to an open rupture with the mother country. On the 2'2d 
of May, 1773, Rev. Mr. Clarke's house was entered by a burglar, who carried 
off a silver tankard and other articles of plate. Levi Ames was subsequently 
arrested, and the articles found in his possession. He was arraigned and found 
guilty. He confessed his guilt, and as burglary in the night time was at that 
day a capital offence, he was executed, October 20th, 1773. Mr. Clarke visited 
him in prison, and prayed with him, after his conviction. The stolen articles 
were restored to Mr. Clarke. 

20 



CHAPTER VI. 

THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 

The Policy of General Gage — His Expedition to Concord — Attack upon the 
Americans at Lexington — The Gathering of the Militia — The Skirmish at 
Concord — Destruction of ^lilitary Stores there — The Retreat of the British 
Troops — Reinforcement under Lord Percy. 

We now come to the most eventful period in the liistory of 
Lexington, and indeed of our country. We have seen in the 
preceding chapters the causes which led to the Revolution, and 
the steps by which the great conflict of opinions was developed. 
We have witnessed the acts of oppression on the one side, and 
the firm and manly opposition on the other. We have felt the 
ground-swell of public sentiment, and heard the bnsy notes of 
preparation. We have seen that the town of Lexington had 
contributed its full share to the patriotic tide, and was measurably 
prepared for the issue. 

In this chapter we are to contemplate the opening scene of 
our Revolutionary struggle, so fraught with the great subject of 
human rights. In days gone by, when brute force was the 
measure of human greatness, and when most questions were 
decided by the arbitrament of arms, the historian had little else 
to do than to record in letters of blood, the march of hostile 
armies, the encounter upon the ensanguined field, the shouts of 
the victors and the groans of the dying. Historians have been 
too much inclined to dwell upon the outward and visible, and to 
content themselves with recording the resvdts, without stopping 
to inquu'C into tlie causes which produced them. But the intel- 
ligent public, at this day, are hardly satisfied with such narra- 
tives. They wish to know the antecedents as well as the 
consequents. By presenting events in this consecutive manner 
— by holding up to the public view the remote and the proxi- 
mate causes, as well as the events themselves and their immediate 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 153 

♦ 
and remote effects, the true philosophy of history is inculcated, 

and the relative character and importance of events are made to 
appear. By reading histories of this character, Vfe may profit 
by the records of the past, and learn wisdom from those who 
have gone before us. 

In this way we may learn that mighty contests often arise 
from causes apparently trivial, and that events of no seeming 
magnitude in themselves, may contain the germ of some great 
convulsion whose effects may extend to distant nations, and be 
felt through succeeding generations. In this way we may discern 
the nature of e-s' ents and the true character of the principal actors 
therein. An act seemingly indifferent or apparently brutal, may 
by its causes and the motives which actuated those by whose 
agency it is brought about, become a praiseworthy deed ; and 
acts which might of themselves elicit shouts of applause, may 
appear in a very different light, when viewed in connection with 
the causes which produced them, and the principles which moved 
the actors therein. It is due to our patriot fathers that their 
acts and doings should be viewed in the concrete, and that all 
the circumstances by which they were surrounded, should be 
carefully weighed by those who enjoy the fruit of their trials 
and sufferings. 

If the importance of a battle depended upon the num1:)er of 
the troops engaged, or u})on the military science displayed in the 
operation, the Battle of Lexington would dwindle into compara- 
tive insignificance. The events of the 19th of April, 1775, are 
not characterized by any remarkable exhibition of military skill, 
or by those combined desperate deeds of daring, which excite 
admiration and render a military expedition remarkable. There 
were no dangerous defiles to be passed at every hazard, in the 
face of disciplined troops — no strong batteries to be stormed — ■ 
no commanding positions on which depended the fortunes of the 
day, to be carried at the point of the bayonet. Nor were there 
any of those desperate encounters between veterans, well armed 
and ecpiipped, and led on by brave and experienced commanders, 
of which we have so many accounts in history. There was true 
bravery — but it was the firm principle of patriotic valor, unaided 
by military skill — the uprising of a people poorly armed, in 
defence of their dearest rigiits. 



154 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

• 
The Battle of Lexington, in its commencement, was little 

more than a cowardly and brutal attack of some eight hundred 
veteran troops upon fifty or sixty peaceable citizens. The 
whole movement of General Gage was simply a secret expedition 
of a well appointed corps to destroy a few unguarded military 
stores — a march through a country of unoffending citizens, 
where there were no troops to oppose his progress. It was not 
an expedition into an enemy's country in time of war ; but a 
sort of excursion party in times of peace, sent out by the 
acknowledged Governor of the Province, some twenty miles into 
the country. And yet the fate of two mighty empires hung 
upon the conduct of this party. Their excursion was among 
men who knew their rights, and knowing dared maintain them. 
If their march was peaceable, and the rights of the people were 
respected, they had nothing to fear from the inhabitants. But if 
they should invade the rights of the citizens by destroying their 
property or nithlessly entering their dAvellings ; and especially 
if their march should be marked by violence and massacre, it 
would in all probability cause a wound never to be healed. And 
yet this party, with a haughty disregard of the rights of the 
inhabitants, wantonly commenced a system of pillage and 
massacre, as though it were a mere holiday pastime ; and thus 
brought on a collision, the effects of which were not only felt in 
both hemispheres at that day, but may yet extend to unborn 
ages. 

The pages of the world's history present us with many san- 
guinary battles, and even decided and brilliant victories which 
were attended with no particular results. The battle of the 
Pyramids in Egypt, and of Buena Vista in Mexico, are of this 
description. Nor is it obvious to the most careful observer at 
the present day, what principles, moral or political, were involved 
in those bloody and terrible conflicts, or were settled by their 
results. The desperate struggle in the Crimea, which ended in 
the partial fall of Sebastopol, where the mighty energies of the 
three great powers of the world were put forth, and where blood 
and treasure were poured out like water, decided nothing, except 
that the advance in military science gives neither party any 
advantage, where both avail themselves of the latest impi'ove- 
ments. 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 155 

But with the affair of the 19th of April, the case was widely 
different. It involved the enfeebling of one empire, and the 
creation of another. It was a conflict of opinions rather than 
of arnivS. It was a war of conflicting principles which had 
divided the public mind for centuries, — it wiis a stern debate 
upon the ensanguined field of the great question of human rights 
against arbitrary and despotic power — of the privileges of the 
many against the prerogatives of the few. But though the col- 
lision on that memorable day was the opening scene of the Revo- 
lutionary drama, it was by no means the moving cause of that 
eventful struggle. We must look to causes more remote than 
the marching of the British troops from Boston, and to questions 
more momentous than the possession of a few rusty cannon at 
Concoi'd, if we would comprehend the issue decided by the Amer- 
ican Revolution. Nor are the effects of that day's adventure to 
be confined to the precipitate and ignominious flight of the 
British army, and their arrival under the cover of their ships at 
Charlestown. No ; the events of that day, by inspiring confi- 
dence and securing union on the one side, and by creating dis- 
trust on the other, insured to America the blessing of indepen- 
dence, and gave an impulse to the cause of liberty which has 
cheered many a heait on both continents, and may yet contribute 
to the emancipation of the world. 

The spring of 1775 opened with every indication that the 
crisis was rapidly approaching, and that General Gag-e had 
resolved to make some decisive demonstration in the field. Par- 
liament had signified its determination to sustain the ministry in 
bringing the colonies to a state of subjection. The Earl of 
Dartmouth had suggested to General Gage the propriety of dis- 
arming the colonists ; ^ and though General Gage had in Novem- 
ber, 1774, intimated that true wisdom would require the employ- 
ment of twenty thousand troops,'^ yet in January, 1775, he had 
written to his Lordship that matters looked more favorable, and 
that it was the general opinion, that " If a resjjectable force is 
seen in the field, and the most obnoxious of the leaders are 
seized, and a pardon proclaimed for all others, government will 
come off victorious, with less opposition than was expected a 

' Force's Archives, -Itli Seiii^s. Vol. i. p. 10i5. 
^ Sparks's Washington, Vol. iii p. -JOJ. 



156 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

few months ago." ' General Gage was also aware that there 
was a "•rowing; dissatisfaction in the ministry with the course he 
was pursuing. His policy was deemed inefficient, and his inac- 
tivity was complained of.^ He knew, moreover, that additicmal 
troops wCre to be sent to Boston, and that Generals Howe, 
Clinton and Burgoyne were to join, and probably in the end 
supersede him. Such facts and considerations would naturally 
prompt him to action. He was probably furtlier encouraged by 
certain demonstrations, in favor of the royal cause, made at 
Marshfield and several other places. 

Knowing that some cannon and other military stores had been 
collected at Salem, he sent, on the 25th of February, a detach- 
ment of his troops to seize or destroy them. But the people, 
anticipating his design, raised the drawbridge leading to the part 
of the town where they were deposited, and so prevented their 
falling into his hands. ^ Meditating the destruction of the military 
stores which the Committees of Safety and Supplies had been 
collecting at Worcester and Concord, General Gage sent officers 
in disguise to sketch the topography of the country, and ascer- 
tain the feelings and preparation of the people. Under date of 
Februaiy 22, Captain Brown of the Fifty-second Regiment and 
Ensign D'Bernicre of the Tenth, were directed to make this 
reconnoissance, with instructions not only to note the roads, dis- 
tances, heights, passes, rivers, and the like, but to " notice the 
situation of the towns and villages, their churches and church- 
yards, whether they are advantageous spots to take post in, and 
capable of being rendered defensible.""^ These officers in dis- 
guise visited Worcester by way of Sudbury, Framingham and 
Marlborough, and subsequently, viz., on the 20th of March, 
visited Concord by way of Sudbury, and returned through Lex- 
ington ; and on their return, reported the result of their explora- 
tion to General Gage.^ 

In the meantime there were many indications that the British 
officers, stationed at Boston, were becoming weary of those 
"piping times of peace," and were desirous of bringing on a 
collision with the people. On the anniversary of the liostun 

» Archives, Vol. ii. p. 336. " Chatham's Speech in Parliament, Jan. 20, 177*5. 
3 Essex Gazette. * Archives, Vol. i. p. 1263. ■' D'Bernicre'B Narrative. 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 157 

Massacre, Dr. Warren delivered the Oration at the Old South 
Church, and Samuel Adams presided. A large numl)er of Brit- 
ish officers were present, and attempted to break up the meeting 
Iw cries of fire, hissing, and other disorderly conduct.^ On the 
8th, Thomas Ditson, Jr., a citizen of Billerica, being in Boston, 
was seized by a party of the king's troops, on the vain pretence 
of having urged one of their soldiers to desert ; and without any 
trial or examination, was taken to their guard-house, and kept a 
prisoner till the next day, when he was stripped, tarred and 
feathered, and placed u})on a truck, and drawn through some of 
the principal streets, attended by forty or fifty soldiers of the 
Forty-seventh Regiment with arms and fixed bayonets, led on by 
Colonel Nesbit of that regiment, the music at the same time 
playing Yankee Doodle by way of derision. ^ On the 16th of 
March, wliich was observed as a day of fasting and prayer in 
obedience to the recommendation of the Provincial Congress, 
several congregations in Boston were annoyed by a party of the 
Fourth Regiment. They pitched their tents near one of the 
churches, and during the service greatly disturbed the worship- 
pers, by their drums, fifes and other noises. Colonel Madison 
was present with them a part of the time. On the 17th, in the 
evening, Colonel Hancock's house, near the Common, was 
attacked by a party of British officers, who cut and hacked the 
fence in front of the house, and otherwise behaved very abusive- 
ly, breaking windows, and insulting almost every person they 
met. On the 18th, the guard at the Neck seized 13,425 musket 
cartridges with balls, and about three hundred pounds of musket 
balls, the property of private persons, which the General refused 
to give up to the owners. They also abused the teamster, prick- 
ing him with their bayonets, and assaulted the Providence stage, 
breaking the windows, and insulting the passengers. On the 
19th, a party of officers and soldiers again insulted Colonel Han- 
cock, entering upon his premises, and refusing to retire, boasting 
that his house, stable, and other property would soon be theirs, 
when they should use it as they pleased.^ Though these aggi-es- 
sions were of a private character, and related to the rights of 

' Archives, Vol. ii. p. 120. 

* Ditson's Deposition, and Remonstrance of the Selectmen of Billerica. 

3 Archives, Vol. ii. p. 211. 



158 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

individuals, they served to irritate the people, and showed at the 
same time a haughtiness on the part of the British officers, which 
would naturally lead to a collision with the inhabitants. 

While General Gage was employed in making preparation for 
excursions into the country to destroy the military stores, which 
the provincials had collected together, the patriotic inhabitants 
were not inactive. The second Provincial Congress, which held 
its first session at Cambridge, had adjourned on the 16th of 
February, to meet at Concord on the 2 2d of March. On 
coming together at that time, and being fully impressed with the 
critical state of public affairs, they adopted the most efficient 
means in their power to meet the crisis, which they knew could 
not be far distant. They adopted a code of Rules and Articles 
for the regulation of the army of the Province, elected commit- 
tees from the several counties, to see that the recommendations 
of Congress were fully carried out, and renewed their recom- 
mendation for exercising and drilling the militia. Having re- 
ceived certain intelligence that large reinforcements were on 
their way to Boston, they sent delegates to New Ilampsliire, 
Connecticut and Rhode Island, to apprise them of the common 
danger, and if possible enlist them in the common cause. They 
assured their sister colonies, "that we are determined to take 
effectual measures for our security and defence by raising an 
army ; " and requested them " to cooperate with us by furnisliing 
their respective quotas for the general defence." They also 
voted to raise six companies of artillery, to be organized, disci- 
plined, and be in " constant readiness to enter the service of the 
Colony," whenever it should become necessary. And as they 
appealed to Heaven for the justice of their cause, and trusted in 
the God of battles to carry them successfully through the con- 
test, which they feared was approaching, they appointed a day 
of fasting and prayer ; and on the 15th of April, adjourned to 
meet on the 10th of May, unless sooner called together on an 
emergency by a committee which they had designated for that 
purpose.^ 

In the meantime the Committees of Safety and of Supplies, 
which generally met together, were in session almost daily, using 
the most efficient means in their power to put the Province in a 

' Journals of the Provincial Congress. 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 159 

proper state of defence. On tlie 14th of March, being in session 
at the house of Captain Stednian, in Cambridge, and anticipating 
some movement on the part of General Gage, they voted "That 
watches be kept constantly at places where tlie Provincial maga- 
zines are kept." They also requested the Committees of Charles- 
town, Cambridge, and Roxbury, " to procure at least two men 
for a watch every night, to be placed in each of these towns, 
and that the said members be in readiness to send couriers 
forward to the towns where the magazines are placed, when 
sallies are made from the army by night." Pursuant to this 
request, on the day following, the committees directed Colonel 
Barrett of Concord, " to engage a sufficient number of faithful 
men to guard the colony magazines in that town, and to keep a 
suitable number of teams in constant readiness by day and by 
night, on the shortest notice to remove the stores ; and also to 
provide couriers to alarm the neighboring towns, on receiving 
any information of any movement of the king's troops." The 
committees were in session at Concord on the 17th of April, and 
adjourned to meet at Menotomy, now Arlington, at Witherby's 
tavern the next day.^ 

Preparatory to any attempt to make a descent upon Wor- 
cester or Concord, for the purpose of destroying the military 
stores, General Gage sent out detachments of his troops into the 
neighboring towns, jn-obably witli the design of exercising his 
men, and of habituating the inhabitants to these excursions, so 
that no apprehension might be felt in case the ti'oops should be 
seen leaving Boston. On the 30th of ]March, the first brigade 
imder Lord Percy, marched out to Jamaica Plains, in Roxbury. 
They were narrowly watched by the people, who collected in 
large numbers ; but as they were without artillery or baggage, it 
was inferred that their excursion was but a short one ; and as 
tliey did not interfere with the inhabitants, they were permitted 
to pass without molestation. They did, however,, commit depre- 
dations upon private property by throwing down a considerable 
quantity of stone wall.^ Whether this was done as wanton 
mischief, or whether they thought that these walls would afford 

' Journal of the Committees of Safety and Supplies. 
^ Archives, and VVarren's Letter to Arthur Lee. 
21 



inO HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

a rampart for tlic militia in case they should attempt an expe- 
dition in that direction, it is impossible to say. 

The day of debate had now passed, and the day of action, 
open, efficient action, had come. Active efforts wex-e now 
making; in all parts of the Province. Not only were the Com- 
mittees of Safety and of Supplies adopting efficient measures, 
but almost every town was resounding with "awful notes of 
preparation." The towns were furnishing arms and munitions 
of war to the utmost extent of their ability. The minute-men 
and the alarm-lists, as they were called, composed of the aged 
and of the young, were out almost daily for exercise and drill. 
A deep feeling pervaded the whole communit}'. The people felt 
the aAvful responsibility Avhich rested upon them. They knew 
that to resist the king's troops would be treason, which they 
might be called upon to expiate upon the gallows ; but to submit 
to the arbitrary and unjust requisitions of Great Britain, would 
be courting a chain, and entailing slavery upon themselves and 
their children. But fearful as was the crisis, they did not falter. 
The resolve had been taken with due consideration, and by it 
they were determined to stand. The weight of responsibility 
which rested upon them, only gave them firmness, and more 
strongly bound them to one another and to the common cause. 
The aged inspired the young, and the young animated the aged ; 
the wife urged the husband to the discharge of his duty, and the 
husband promised protection to the wife ; mothers gave up their 
sons, and sisters thdr brothers to the great cause of freedom. 
All classes seemed to vie with each other in their effi-)rts for the 
common cause. The feeling which pervaded the commiuiity 
was one of the purest patriotism, sanctified and hallowed on the 
altar of religion. Their sense of justice and of right, their 
regard for the welfore of their children, their love for their 
country, and their devotion to their God, prompted them to 
action, and inspired them with confidence in their ultimate 
success. 

No class in the community contributed more to produce this 
state of feeling, and to animate and sustain the people as the 
danger approached, than the pious and patriotic clergy of New 
England. Their appeals were ardent and touching. They 
recurred to the causes which had brought us to this country, and 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. IGl 

recounted the instances in wliich our fathers had been brought 
out of a wilderness of dangers, and through scenes of blood ; 
and pointed to that Canaan of rest which awaited us, if we 
would put our trust in the Lord, and rely upon his outstretched 
arm. Tliey taught their people that the Gospel was a self-sacri- 
ficing system, that patriotism was a Christian duty, and that he 
Avho refused to suffer for his country in such a holy cause, was 
false to Him who died that we might live. And among those 
who animated and encouraged the people, and thus hindled the 
fires of patriotism upon the altars of religion, none was more 
active or successful than the distinguished and pious priest, who 
ministered to the people of Lexington. His intimacy with 
Adams and Hancock made him minutely acquainted with the 
affairs of the Colony, his clear and far-reaching perception 
enabled him to judge with great accuracy, and his noble and 
manly independence gave him a controlling influence over the 
minds of inen. " jS'Ir, Clarke was a man of high rank in his 
profession — a man of practical piety, a learned theologian, a 
person of general reading, a writer perspicuous, correct, and 
pointed, beyond the standard of the day, and a most intelligent, 
resolute and ardent champion of the popular cause. He was 
connected by marriage with the family of John Hancock. To 
this circumstance no doubt may properly be ascribed some 
portion of his interest in the political movements of the day ; 
while on the mind of Hancock an intimacy with Mr. Clarke was 
calculated to have a strong and salutary influence."^ 

Mr. Clarke took a broad and enlightened view of the duties 
and obligations of the citizen. With him patriotism was a 
virtue of reliofious o-i-owth. In his estimation, love to God 
involved a love of country, and devotion to religion implied 
devotion to the state. Describing the true patnot, he says, 
" Inspired with the principles of piety, governed by the laws of 
God, encouraged and supported with motives of religion, such 
men in the court or in the field, in peace and in war, in private 
and in public stations, look with a g-enerous contempt, a sacred 
abhorrence upon every advantage they might make to themselves 
at the expense of their virtue. No self-interest, no venal motive 
can countervail with them the public good, the safety and happi- 

' EvcrcU.'s Address at Lexington in 1805. 



162 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

ness of society — of mankind. The frowns of the great, and 
the flatteries of the vulgar are equally despised ; the greatest 
trials are cheerfully endured, the most self-denying services are 
with pleasure engaged in, in the cause of God. In honor to 
God they wait upon the king, in devotion to him they serve 
their country, and for the glory of his name stand ready cheer- 
fully to submit to every hardship, fii-mly to face every danger, 
and for the support of his cause, and the defence of the liberties 
and lives of his people, freely to make their own a sacrifice, and 
shed their dearest blood."* 

Such were the sentiments of Mr. Clarke, uttered seven years 
before hostilities commenced ; and they had become more deeply 
seated, and had taken a more active form as the crisis approached. 
Such sentiments and feelings had extended in a good degree 
throughout all the colonies, — though in Massachusetts they had 
well nigh ripened into action. The town of Lexington, as we 
have already seen, had from the first taken a deep and lively 
interest in the controversy between the parent country and the 
colonies, and had made every effort to prepare her sons for any 
emergency which might arise. In 1774, she had "voted to 
increase the town's stock of ammunition," "to encourage military 
discipline, and to put themselves in a posture of defence against 
their enemies ; " she had voted to supply the " training soldiers " 
with bayonets, and had distributed at the expense of the town, 
arms and ammunition to the " training band " and " alarm list " 
of her citizens. Such was the liberality of the town to her 
patriotic sons, who in the day of trial stood firmly by the cause 
of freedom, and nobly "showed that they were worth their 
breeding."^ 

' Artillery Election Sermon, 1768, 

* As a specimen of the spirit which prevailed at that day, we subjoin the 
following : 

'•At a meeting of the people of the Alarm List of the third Company in 
Danvers, held in said Danvers, the 6th of March, 1773, for the purpose of 
electing officers for said Alarm List Company, Rev. Benj. Balch, Chairman ; 
said people unanimously made choice of Dea. Edmund Putnam for Captain ; 
Rev. Benj. Balch for Lieutenant, and Mr. Tarrant Putnam for Ensign. The 
said gentlemen being present, declared their acceptance." — American Archives, 
Vol. ii. p. 37. 

This fact is well worthy of a town, which, though distant, nobly joined the 
affair of the 19th of April, 1775. 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 163 

The second Provincial Congress, of which John Hancock was 
President, and Samuel Adams one of its most distinguished 
members, having closed its session at Concord on the 15th of 
April, these champions of freedom, instead of returning to 
Boston, had taken up their abode with Eev. Jonas Clarke at 
Lexington. This they were induced to do in consequence of the 
impression which had become quite prevalent, that General Gage 
had meditated their seizure. It was well known that Hutchin- 
son, the predecessor of General Gage, had used his influence to 
have Adams arrested and sent to England to be tried for treason ; 
and the subsequent course of Adams had been still more offen- 
sive to the royal Governor. General Gage had, by his procla- 
mation of November, 1774, pronounced the Provincial Congress 
over which Hancock had presided, " an unlawful assembly, 
tending utterly to subvert " government, and to lead directly " to 
sedition, treason, and rebellion," and had held up "the pains and 
penalties of the law," to prevent their reassembling, or their 
measures from being carried into effect. There was reason, 
therefore, to apprehend that these distinguished patriots, after 
attending another session of this unlawful assembly, and adopting 
measures still more odious to his Majesty's Government, would 
not be safe in Boston ; abounding as it did, at that time, with a 
large number of inveterate tories from all parts of the Province, 
who were constantly urging the Governor on to deeds of violence 
and desperation. This impression was strengthened by various 
other causes. Gordon, the historian, informs us, that an inter- 
cepted letter from Mr. INIauduit to Commissioner Hollowell, 
brought over by a vessel from England, which arrived here on 
the 2d of April, contained distinct intimations, that some of the 
leading patriots were to be seized and sent to England as traitors. 
A letter from London, under date of February 24th, 1775, 
contained this passage : " those Lords who advised the king to 
declare you rebels, and to apprehend Messrs. Hancock and 
Adams, have gone so far as to say, that Chatham shall fill a 
sacrifice to their designs."^ Another letter from London says, 
" Oi'ders are certainly sent to seize particular persons." ^ Another 
letter subsequently received, declares that " the administration on 
Friday received advices from General Gage to the 18th of 

' Archives, Vol. ii. p. 345. « Ibid, Vol. ii. p. 319. 



164 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

March, wherein he acknowledges the receipt of the king's orders 
to apprehend Messrs. dishing, Adams, Hancock, &c., and send 
them over to England to be tried ; but the second orders which 
were to hanir them in Boston, the General had not received."^ 
General Gage, as we have already seen, in his letter to Dart- 
mouth, of the 18th of January, had suggested the propriety of 
seizing "the most obnoxious leaders," and olfering pardon to 
all others; and his Proclamation of the 12th of June, 1775, 
offering " his jNIajesty's most gracious pardon to all persons who 
shall forthwith lay down their arms, and return to the duties of 
peaceable subjects, excepting only from the benefits of such 
pardon, Samuel Adams and John Hancock, whose offences are 
of too flagitious a nature to admit of any other consideration 
than that of condign punishment ; " shows that such a measure 
was premeditated. Lord Dartmouth, in his letter to General 
Gage, imder date of April 15th, expressly declares that the 
seizure of the most obnoxious leaders "is already provided for."^ 
These facts prove most conclusively, that one object of the 
stealthy movement of the British oflScers on the evening of the 
18th of April, was to seize these illustrious patriots, that they 
might suffer the full penalty of treason. This fact was admitted 
at the time, and has since been acknowledged by foreign,*^ as 
well as by American writers."* 

Everything indicated that the ci'isis Avas at hand, and a fearful 
one it was for Massachusetts. General Gage had received a 
small accession to his forces, which now amounted to about four 

' Archives, Vol. ii. p. 386. * Vol. ii. p. 336. ' Botta, Murraj', and others. 
* Shattuck, in his history of Concord, declares that one object of this expe- 
dition was " to apprehend Hancock, Adams, Barrett, and other distinguished 
patriots." — p. 101. We have no disposition to detract from the merits of 
Colonel Barrett. He was undoubtedly a brave and efficient officer, and a true 
patriot ; but we are not aware that he stood so prominent as to be known 
across the Atlantic, and to be ranked with Adams and Hancock. After a 
pretty thorough examination of authorities, we heve found nothing that could, 
even by implication, include him in the list of the proscribed patriots. He 
certainly was not exempted from pardon in Gage's proclamation. 

The designs of the British, and the belief of the day, are clearly embodied in 
a tory ballad of that period — more remarkable for truth than for poetry, we 
imagine. 

" As for their kirig, that John Hancock, 
And Adams, if they're taken, 
Their heads for signs shall hang up high, 
Upon the hill, called Beacon." 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON-. 1G5 

thousand men, ■well armed and equipped, and, under the most 
perfect discipline, could be brought into the field at any moment. 
Large reinforcements were on their way from Europe, and Boston 
was the place of their destination. On the side of the Province 
there was no organized army ; not a single company in the field 
to oppose the march of the king's troops. The whole Province 
was in a state of comparative disorder. General Gage, by dis- 
solving the Legislature, had left Massachusetts without any 
laAvful government. The Provincial Congress, a body almost 
self-constituted, assumed to act as a sort of Legislature, and the 
Committees of Safety and of Supplies were exercising a kind of 
Executive power. And though these bodies, under all the cir- 
cumstances of the case, acted with great wisdom and eflSciency, 
so far as they were concerned, they had no poAver to enforce 
their measures, and no adequate means in their hands to procure 
the necessary troops or nnuiitions of war. Though the Provin- 
cial Congress had, as early as October, 1774, recommended the 
j)urchase of arms and ammunition to the amount of £20,800, 
their Treasurer, on the 25th of April, 1775, reported that only 
about £5,000 had come into his hands. ^ The poverty of the 
people and the dearth of military stores within the Province, 
are manifest from the journals of those bodies. IMost of the 
arms in the hands of the people, were their old hunting guns, 
w'ithout bayonets ; and hence votes were passed by Congress 
earnestly recommending the purchase and manufacture of that 
essential appendage of the musket. The manufacture of salt- 
petre was also urged upon the people, that they might be able to 
supply the great demand for powder. The towns wei'e earnestly 
called upon to furnish as far as possible, a certain quantity of 
bayonets, powder and "firelocks." 

The records show the great difficulties under which the Com- 
mittee of Supplies labored. Many of their votes indicated the 
strait to which they were driven. ^ They were directed to 

' Journals of the Provincial Congress, and of the Committees of Safety and 
Supplies. 

* " Voted unanimously by both Committees, that the Committee of Supplies 
do procure ten tons of brimstone, provided it can be had on this condition : 
that the Committee of Supplies agree to pay therefor, when the present owner 
shall have opportunity to sell the same, or that it shall be returned in six 
months, if not used ; and if used, it shall be paid for." — Journal of the Com,' 
mittee of Hwpplies and Safety. Ftbnianj 21, 1775. 



166 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

"endeavor to procure " such aiul such articles. The supply of 
military stores and of provisions, indicated their destitution both 
in the implements and the sinews of war. The Committee of 
Supplies were directed to " endeavor to procure " 200 spades , 
150 iron shovels, 150 pickaxes, 1000 six-quart iron pots, 200 
bill-hooks, 1000 wooden mess-bowls, 1 tenon-saw, 200 axes, 
50 wheelbarrows, and a suitable supply of wooden spoons ; also 
355 barrels of pork, 700 barrels of flour, 300 bushels of beans, 
and 20 tierces of rice. Limited as were these amounts, and 
active as were the endeavors of the Committee, these amounts 
could not be fully obtained. They also obtained as many field- 
pieces as they could, but so limited was the supply, that certain 
officers w^ere directed, if possible, to borrow of those who pos- 
sessed them, that the men might be instructed in their use. 
With such comparative destitution, and with a population of 
only about three hundred thousand, without any oroanized gov- 
ernment, and almost without money or credit, jMassachusetts 
dared with a small number of undisciplined and half-armed 
militia, to withstand the mighty energy of Great Britain, lately 
victorious on both continents over the most pow^erful nations of 
the earth. But great as was the disparity, the patriots stood 
firm. Animated by the justice of their cause, and sustained by 
a lively faith in an over-ruling Providence, they w^ere determined 
to do their duty, and trust the issue to Him " who bringeth the 
princes to nothing, and taketh up the isles as a very little 
thing." 

General Gage having obtained all needed information relative 
to the topography of the country, planned a secret expedition to 
Concord, for the purpose of destroying the military stores there 
deposited. On the 15th of April, on the pretence of teaching 
the grenadiers and light infantry some new discipline or evolu- 
tions, he detached about eight hundred of them from the main 
body, and marched them to another part of the town. At night 
the boats of the transport ships, which had been hauled up for 
repairs, were launched and moored under the sterns of the men- 
of-war, lying in the river. But the object of this movement 
was suspected by the watchful patriots ; and Dr. Warren, ever 
upon the alert, immediately caused information to be commu- 
nicated to his friends in the neiohborinir towns : and a messenger 



^ 







BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. / 167 



was cllspatched to Hancock and Adams at Lexino-ton. This 
timely notice enabled the Committee of Safety, of which Hancock 
was chairman, to adopt the precautionary measure on the 17tli 
and 18th, of having a portion of the cannon and stores at Con- 
cord, removed to Sudbury, Stow, and Groton ; and another 
portion secreted in different places within the town. 

On Tuesday, the 18th of April, Gen. Gage detailed a number 
of his officers, and sent them out of town with instructions to post 
themselves on the several roads leading from Boston, to prevent, 
if possible, all intelligence of his intended expedition that night 
from reaching the country. To prevent suspicion a part of them 
left Boston in the morning, and dined that day in Cambridge. 
Late in the aftenioon, they proceeded leisurely on horseback 
towards Lexington and Concord. The Committees of Safety 
and Sup[)lies had been in session that day at Wetlierby's tavern 
at Menotomy, now Arlington ; and as they had not completed 
their business, had adjoiu'ned over to nine o'clock the next 
morning. Mr. Gerry, afterwards Vice President of the LTnited 
States, and Colonels Orne and Lee, remained there to spend the 
night. jMr. Richard Devens and Mr. Abraham Watson started 
in a chaise for Charlestown ; but meeting a number of British 
officers on horseback, they returned to inform their friends at 
Wetlierby's and remained there till the officers had passed, when 
they returned to Charlestown. Mr. Gerry lost no time in 
sending an express to Hancock and Adams, that " eight or nine 
officers were out, suspected of some evil design." The mes- 
senger took a by-path and arrived safely at Lexington.^ But a 
verbal message had already communicated to the people of Lex- 
ington the fact thift these officers were on the road. 

" Solomon Brown of Lexington, who had been to market at 
Boston on the I8tli, returned late in the afternoon, and informed 
Col. Munroe, then the orderly sergeant of the militia company, 
that he had seen nine British officers, dressed in blue greatcoats, 
passing leisurely up the road, sometimes before and sometimes 
behind him, armed, as he discovered by the occasional blowing 
aside of their greatcoats. Munroe suspecting their intention 
was to seize Hancock and Adams, immediately collected a guard 
of eight men, well armed and equipped, and placed them, 

' Frothinghara's Siege of Boston, p. 57, and authorities there cited. 
22 



1G8 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

himself at their head, at the house of Mr. Clarke, which was 
about a quarter of a mile from the main road leading to Concord. 
Small parties of British officers in the spring of that year, had 
frequently been seen making excursions into the country, early 
in the day, and returning before evening. But the unusually 
late hour of their passing up at this time, excited the attention of 
our citizens, and drew together at an early hour in the evening, 
about thirty of the militia, Avell armed, and ready for any 
emergency to wliich the critical and alarming state of things 
mio-ht suddenly call them. It had been cuiTcntly I'eported that 
the British had threatened that Hancock and Adams should -not 
stay at Lexington ; and it Avas generally believed to be the object 
of these officers who had passed up, to return secretly at a late 
hour in the night and seize them, and carry them to Boston. 
After some consultation, it was concluded by those present to 
send three of their number, Sanderson, Brown, and Loring, 
towards Concord to watch the British officers, and endeavor to 
ascertain and give information of their movements. In the 
borders of Lincoln the whole three men were taken prisoners by 
the British officers, who Avere paraded across the road."' 

Soon after Mr. Devens had arrived atCharlestown, he received 
intelligence that the British troops in Boston were in motion, 
and were preparing to leave the town on some secret expedition. 
A signal had previously been agreed upon. If the British 
attempted an expedition by the Neck, two lanterns were to be 
hung out from the steeple of the Old North Church, and if by 
water, one. Devens, an ardent patriot, and an active member 
of the Committee of Safety, kept his eye upon the Church ; the 
lantern soon conveyed the tidings that the troops were leaving 
Boston, by crossing the river. Believing that Concord was the 
place of their destination, and fearing for the safety of his friends 
at Menotomy and Lexington, he immediately prepared to dis- 
patch messengers with the intelligence. 

General Gage in the meantime supposed that his movement 
was unobserved, and that his expedition was known only to him- 
self and the few officers to whom he had committed the secret. 
Stedman, the English liistorian, wdio accompanied Percy in this 
expedition, informs us that Gage sent for Percy that evening 

' Phinney's History of the Battle at Lexington. ' 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 169 

about nine o'clock, and comnuinicatcd to him tlic contemplated 
expedition, and congratulated himself upon his success in keeping 
it from the patriots. But as Percy was crossing the Common a 
short time after, he saw a gi-oup of citizens assembled ; and 
mingling Math them, he found the subject of this expedition 
to Concord was freely spoken of and well understood ; whereupon 
he hastened back to Gage's quarters, and gave him the inform- 
ation.* Mortified at the intelligence, and to prevent its further 
spread, he immediately issued orders that no one should be per- 
mitted to leave Boston. 

But it was too late. The intelligence had gone forth from the 
Old North Church Avith the rapidity of light ; and Dr. Warren 
had a few minutes befoi'e dispatched Paul Revere and William 
Dawes into the country to give the information, and alarm the 
people. A little before eleven o'clock, Revere crossed the river 
in his own boat, close to the Somerset man-of-war, unobserved, 
and landed at Charlestown, where he had an interview with Mr. 
Devens, who informed him tliat ten British officers, well armed 
and mounted, were upon the road. A fleet horse was obtained 
of Deacon Larkin, and Revere started on his perilous mission 
about eleven o'clock. Soon after passing Charlestown neck, he 
fell in with two British officers who attempted to arrest him ; but 
turning his horse back towards Charlestown, he gained the 
Medford road, and owing to the fleetness of his horse, he escaped 
from his pursuers, one of whom in attempting to cut him off, 
rode into a clay-pit. 

Relieved from such troublesome company. Revere passed 
through Medford to Menotomy, alarming the people by the 
Avay, and arrived safely at Lexington, where he found Rev. 
Mr. Clarke's house guarded by sergeant Munroe and eight 
men. This was a little past midnight ; and on requesting 
to be admitted to Mr. Clarke's house, he was told by the 
sergeant that the family had just retired, and had requested 
that they might not be disturbed by any noise about the 
house. "Noise," exclaimed Revere, " You'll have noise enough 
before long. The regulars are coming out." He was then per- 
mitted to pass. On knocking at the door, Mr. Clarke opened a 
window, and inquired who was there. Revere without answering 

' Stedman's History, VoL i. p. 119. 



170 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

the question, said he wished to see Mr. Hancock. Mr. Clarke, 
ever deliberate and watchful, was intimating that he did not like 
to admit strangers to his house at that time of night, without 
knowing who they Avere, and the character of their business ; 
when Hancock, who had retired to rest, but not to sleep, recog- 
nizing Kevere's voice, cried out, " Come in, Revere, we are not 
afraid of you." Shortly after, Dawes, who came out through 
Eoxbury, arrived. They both brought the intelligence that " a 
large body of troops, supposed to be a brigade of twelve or 
fifteen hundred men, were embarked in boats at Boston, and 
gone over to Lechmere's Point in Cambridge ; and it was sus- 
pected that they were ordered to seize and destroy the stores 
belonging to the Colony at Concord."^ 

After refreshing themselves at Lexington, Revere and Dawes, 
not knowing the fate of the three men w'ho had been sent up 
the road from Lexington, set off for Concord to alai-ni the 
people. Soon after, they were overtaken by Dr. Prescott, 
a young gentleman of Concord, who had been spending the 
evening at Lexington. Pcing an ardent whig, Prescott entered 
heartily into their design, and they proceeded towards Concord, 
alarming the people on the road. Before reaching Brooks's 
tavern at the Concord line, they were suddenly met by a party 
of British officers, armed and mounted, Avho immediately sur- 
rounded and captured Revere, who was in advance of his 
companions. Prescott, being a little in the rear, eluded them, 
and leaping a stone wall, made his escape, and arrived safely in 
Concord, where he gave the alarm. The same officers had 
already taken Sanderson, Brow'n and Loi'ing of Lexington, and 
had them then in custody. These prisoners were all subjected 
to a rigid examination. Presenting their pistols, the officers 
threatened to blow out the brains of their captives, if they did 
not give true answers to their questions. They interrogated the 
Lexington men relative to Hancock and Adams, and inquired 
where they could be found. They also questioned Revere, who 
at first gave them rather evasive answers ; but finding himself in 
then' keeping, and seeing no way of escape, he said to them 
firmly, " Gentlemen, you have missed your aim." One of the 

' Revcre's Narrative, Wm. Munroe's Deposition, Clarke's Narrative, and 
Phinney's History. 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 171 

officers said, "What aim?" Revere replied, "I came out from 
Boston an hour after your troops left, and if I had not known 
that messengers had been sent out to give information to the 
country, and have had time enough to carry it fifty miles, I 
would have ventured one shot from you, before I would have 
suifered you to stop me." Startled at this, they pushed their 
inquiries further, when, on hearing the sound of a distant bell, 
one of the Lexington prisoners said to them, "The bell 's ringing 
— the town's alarmed — and you are all dead men." These 
declarations frightened the British officers, who, after a brief 
consultation aside, started on their return towards Lexington. 
They kept possession of their prisoners till they came within 
about one hundred rods of the meeting-house, when taking 
Eevere's horse from him, and cutting the girths of the saddles, 
and the bridles of the other prisoners, the officers left them, and 
rode oflf at full speed towards Boston. This was about three 
o'clock on the morning of the 19th.^ 

While these things were occurring on the road towards Con- 
cord, the alarm spread rapidly throughout Lexington, and the 
minute-men were summoned to assemble at their usual place of 
parade on the Common. At two o'clock on the morning of the 
19th, Captain John Parker caused the roll of his company to be 
called, and ordered every man to load his gun with powder and 
ball. After remaining some time upon parade, one of the 
messengers who had been sent towards Boston, returned and 
reported that he could hear nothing of the regulars, as the 

' Sanderson's Deposition, and Revere's Narrative. 

'♦The Ride of Paul Revere" has been made classic by the poem, "Tales of a 
Wayside Inn," by Longfellow. We have heard of poetic license, but have 
always understood that this sort of latitude was to be confined to modes of 
expression and to the regions of the imagination, and should not extend to 
historic facts. This distinction Longfellow has not been careful to observe. 
He says of Revere : 

" It was two by the village clock, 
When he came to the bridge in Concord town." 

Now the plain truth, as stated by Revere himself, and by all other authorities, 
is that he did not even enter the township of Concord, or approach within 
several miles of Concord bridge. When poets pervert plain matters of history, to 
give speed to their Peyasus, they should be restrained, as Revere was in his 
midnight ride. 



172 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

British troops were then generally called. This created the 
impression that the movement of the troops at Boston was a 
mere feint on the part of General Gage, to call off public atten- 
tion from some expedition he was about to undertake in some 
other dii'ection. The evening being cool, the company was 
dismissed, with orders to assemble again at tlie beat of the drum. 
Some who resided in the immediate neighborhood, repaii-ed to 
their own homes, but the greater part of them went to Buckman's 
tavern, near the place of parade.^ 

It may aid the reader in understanding what is to follow, to 
give a brief description of the village, and of the localities where 
the principal events occurred. Lexington is about twelve miles 
noi'th-west of Boston, and six miles south-east of Concord. 
The immediate village at that time did not contain more than 
eight or ten houses. " The road from Boston divides near the 
centre of the village. The branch leading to Concord passes to 
the left, and that to Bedford to the right of the meeting-house, 
forming two sides of a triangular green or common, on the 
south-easterly corner of which stood the meeting-house, facing 
directly down the road leading to Boston. The road is straight 
for about one hundred rods below the meeting-house, and nearly 
level. The common is a pleasant level green, containing about 
two acres, surrounded by trees, having on the left a gently rising 
knoll, where the present monuiuent now stands."^ On the right 
of the meeting-house, nearly opposite, and separated from the 
conunon by the road leading to Bedford, stood Buckman's tavern. 
V The house is still standing, and is owned by the Merriams ; and 
its perforated clapboards are living witnesses of the attack of a 
ruthless foe. On the north side of the green, in the rear of the 
meeting-house, at about twenty rods, were two dwelling houses, 
one the site of the present house owned and occupied by Mr. 
James Gould, and the other the old house now standing and 
owned by Mr. Bowen Harrington. These houses, with their 
out-buildings, and one or two shops, formed the northerly 
boundary of the common. North of this is a belt of low 
swampy ground, extending without interruption for a consider- 
able distance, from the north-east to the south-Avest. The 
present Bedford road not then having been constructed, the 

' Gordon's Letter, Phinney's History, and Depositions of 1775. ' Phinney. 




L . 
M N 



Clarke House. 

Bucknam Tavern. 

Munroe's Tavern. 
. Parker's Connpany. 

Jonathan Harrington's. 
. Daniel Harrington's. 
, Nathan Munroe's. 
. Blacksmith's Shop. 
. Emerson's House. 
. Loring's House. 
. Loring's Barn. 
. Meeting-House. 
. Percy's Field Piece. 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 173 

travel to Bedford passed by the house of the Rev. Mr. Clarke, 
on what is now known as Hancock street. There were also 
houses on the Concord road southerly of the common — the one 

where Mr. John Pludson now resides, then occupied by 

INIonroe. The accompanying diagram will show more fully the 
localities of the events of that day, and the house where Adams 
and Hancock were staying. 

The apprehension which was felt for the safety of Hancock 
and Adams, was increased by the report of Sanderson, Kevere, 
and others just escaped from the British officers, who had 
held them as prisoners. Their inquiries where tliese distin- 
guished patriots could be foimd, left no doubt in the minds of 
the people of Lexington, that one object of the expedition was 
to seize them. The friends of Adams and Hancock advised 
them to leave their present lodgings, and repair to a place of 
greater safety. At first they oljjected. Hancock declared that 
" it should never be said of him, that he turned his liack upon 
the British." But tliey Avcrc told that their preservation was of 
the utmost consequence to the interest of the Colony, and to the 
great cause of freedom ; and as they were unarmed, they could 
do but little towards opposing the king's troops. They at last 
consented, though with great reluctance, to leave the scene of 
danger, and the patriot priest whose hospitality they had shared, 
and whose sacred benedictions rested upon their heads. It was 
decided that they should repair to Burlington. But being un- 
willing to retire at once to a distant place, Avhere they should be 
beyond the reach of the earliest intelligence, and having a strong 
desire to witness with their own senses whatever miaht occur, 
they at first retired to the hill south-east of Mr. Clarke's house, 
which was then covered with wood, where they remained con- 
cealed till after the British had taken up their line of march for 
Concord, when they repaired to the house of a Mr. Reed, in the 
borders of Burlington. Here they remained a short time, Avlien 
they were induced to retire further from tlie scene of danger ; 
and they were conducted to the house of iMadam Jones, widow 
of Rev. Thomas Jones, and of Rev. Mr. ^Nlarrett, in Bur- 
lington.^ 

' While they were there, an alarm was given that the British were upon 
them. Whereupon. Mr. Marrctt conducted them along a cartway to Mr. Amos 
Wyman's house, in a corner of Billerica. 



l'^4 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

Dorothy Quincy, true to the instincts of patriotism and her 
attaclmients to Hancock, to wliom she was enirao-ed, and wliom 
she married in September of tliat year, accompanred him on that 
perik)us occasion. It was at this place, in the wood near Mr. 
Clarke's house, that the venerable Adams, on hearing the firing 
of the British troops, made that memorable exclamation, " What 
a glorious morning for America is this ! " 

Far-sighted patriot ! He was not insensible to the horrors of 
war. His patriotic soul was fully alive to the agonies of the 
dying, and the lamentations of the widow and the orphan. But 
in his prophetic vision, he looked beyond the events of that 
gloomy morning, to that brighter day which would dawn upon 
America. He was fully sensible that in politics as in relio-ion 
"the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church ; " and'that 
the first guns that were fired, were but the signal for the general 
nsmg of the people, which must result in the independence of 
the colonies. Though a dark cloud overshadowed his beloved 
country, he plainly saw that its gilded margin betokened a 
brighter sky, and pointed to the bow of promise. Such pros- 
pects filled him with rapture, and drew from him that cheerin- 
patriotic exclamation. *' 

While these British officers were playing their part on the 
road towards Concord, the British troops were on their march to 
the place of their destination. Colonel Smith, at the head of 
about eight hundred grenadiers, infantry and marines, the flower 
ot the British army, embarked about ten o'clock in the boats of 
the ships of war. They landed at Phipps's farm in Cambrido-e 
near where the present court-house stands, just as the moon was 
nsmg; and to prevent discovery, took an unfrequented path 
aci;oss the marshes to the old road leading from Charlestown 
to Menotomy. This subjected them to considerable delay and 
inconvenience, as the path was untrodden, and they were 
compelled in some cases to wade through the Avater. Beino- on a 
secret expedition, their march was silent and noiseless. Gerry 
Urne, and Lee, having been apprised of their approach, rose 
from their beds at Menotomy, to witness their stealthy midni-.ht 
march. Ihe front of the column passed the house with-it 
annoying any one ; but as they proceeded a sergeant's guard was 
detached to search the house. Gerry, Orne, and Lee, consid- 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 175 

ering themselves in immediate danger, though but partly dressed, 
escaped from the house to the neighboring fields, where they 
remained till the overflowing scourge had passed by.^ The 
soldiers searched the house ; they entered into the chambers 
where they had been sleeping, but their intended victims had 
departed.^ 

Colonel Smith had not marched far before he found that the 
country was alarmed. Though General Gage had used the 
utmost secresy in preparing for the expedition, and his own 
movements had been cautious and stealthy ; though no martial 
airs had animated his troops, and their march was silent as the 
grave to which many of them were hastening, he found that the 
news of his expedition had preceded him. The light from the 
Old North Church in Boston, had drawn forth a chime from the 
bells of the country churches, and the firing of alarm guns in 
every direction showed that the faithful heralds, sent out by the 
patriots, had performed their duty ; and if they had not prepared 
his way before him, they had prepared the people to give him a 
warm if not cordial reception. Fearing that the country was 
rising to oppose his progress, he detached six companies of light 
infantry, under the command of Major Pitcairn, with orders to 
press forward and secure the bridges at Concord. At the same 
time. Colonel Smith dispatched a messenger to General Gage for 
a reenforcement. Soon after, the officers who had been sent 
forward the preceding night, returned with very exaggerated 
statements of the numbers of the militia which were collectino- — 
representing that there were five hundred assembled at Lex- 

' Smith, in his West Cambridge Address, says, '• Gerry in his perturbation, 
being on the point of opening the front door in their faces, the landlord cried 
out to him, ' For God's sake don't open that door ! ' and led them to the back 
part of the house, whence they escaped into the cornfield, before the officer 
had posted his guards about the doors. There was nothing to conceal them 
from view in the broad field but the corn-stubble which had been left the pre- 
vious fall a foot or two high, and that was but little protection in the bright 
moonlight. Gerry stumbled and fell, and called out to his friend, ' Stop, 
Orne ; stop for me, till I can get up ; I have hurt myself ! ' This suggested 
the idea, and they all threw themselves fiat on the ground, and, concealed by 
the stubble, remained there, half-clothed, as they left their chamber, till the 
troops passed on. Colonel Lee never recovered from the effects of that mid- 
night exposure; he died in less than a month from that night." 

' Gage's Account, and Austin's Life of Gerry, p. 169. 
23 



176 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

ington, and tliat they were constantly coming in from every 
quarter. The representation so alarmed Pitcaira, that when he 
had arrived near Lexington Common, he halted till the grena- 
diers came in sight, that he might be supported in case he should 
be attacked by an overwhehning force.' 

"The march of the British," says Phinney, "was silent and 
rapid, • One of the messengers sent by our people to ascertain 
if they were coming, was surprised before he was aware of 
their approach, and taken prisoner in Cambridge.^ Thus they 
continued their march undiscovered, taking and detaining as 
prisoners every person they met with on the road, till they had 
arrived within a luile and a half of Lexington meeting-house. 
In order to secure persons traveling upon the road, they would 
send two soldiers at a considerable distance in advance of the 
main body, Avith orders to secrete themselves, one on each side 
of the road, and when any one approached, they would allow 
him, to pass them, so as to get between them and the troops, and 
then rise and close upon him. In this way they had taken a 
number of our men, who had been sent to get information of 
their approach. Thaddeus Bowman, the last one sent on this 
business, was riding pretty rapidly down the road, and had pro- 
ceeded about a mile and a half, when his horse became suddenly 
frightened, stopped, and refused to go forward. In a moment 
he discovered the cause. Two British soldiers were perceived 
just ahead, sitting on opposite sides of the way, close to the 
fence. It was then daylight. While Bowman was unsuccess- 
fully endeavoring by all the means of whip and spur to urge his 
horse forward, not conceiving of their plan to entrap him, he 
caught a glimpse of the main body of the British troops, then 
about twenty rods off. He instantly turned his horse and rode 
with all possible speed to the meeting-house, and gave Captain 
Parker the first certain intelligence of the approach of the king's 
troops. About the same time that Bowman discovered them, a 
flanking party made prisoner of Benjamin Wellington, Avho was 
within about ten rods of the main road, on his Avay to join the 
company at the Common. They took his ai-ms from him, and 
on his promise to return home, he was released. Wellington, 
however, took a cross route to the meeting-house, and reached 

' Gage's Account. ' Clarke's Narrative. 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 177 

there soon after Bowman. There was no longer any doubt that 
the regulars were coming." ^ 

It was now about half-past four in the morning. Captain 
Parker immediately ordered the alarm guns to be fired, and the 
drum to beat to arms. Sergeant William jMunroe was directed 
to form the company, which he did with the utmost dispatch, in 
two ranks, a few rods north of the meeting-house. Fifty or 
sixty of the militia had formed, or rather were forming, while 
there were some thirty spectators near by, a few of whom had 
arms. But what was to be done ! What could this little de- 
voted band do in the face of what they then believed to be twelve 
or fifteen hundred veteran troops ? To attack them would, in a 
military point of view, be the height of madness ; to stand their 
ground in case they were attacked by such overwhelming num- 
bers, would be exposing themselves to certain destruction without 
any justifiable motive. Captain Parker and his men not only 
knew their danger, but they knew the great responsibility which 
rested upon them. They stood there not merely as soldiers, but 
as citizens, nay, almost as statesmen, having the destiny of the 
country in their hands. Their conduct on that occasion might 
affect, for weal or for woe, thousands that were to come after 
them. The patriots in the other colonies had expressed a fear, 
lest the people of Massachusetts, goaded on by oppression, might 
indiscreetly commit some overt act, and so involve the country 
prematurely in a civil war. The Continental Congress had 
recommended to the people of this Colony, to avoid a collision 
with the king's troops, and in all cases to act only on the 
defensive.^ Hancock and Adams had recommended prudent 
measm-es ; and though they foresaw that a conflict of arms was 
approaching, they were extremely anxious that when war should 
come, we could say with truth that the colonists were not the 
aggressors. Captain Parker, in his intercourse with Parson 
Clarke, had learned that patriotism was consistent with pru- 
dence ; and that his duty to his country and to his God, re- 
quired him to act only on the defensive. To have been the 
assailant under such circumstances, would have been unworthy 
of him as a military commander and as a patriotic citizen, and 
would justly have exposed him to the censure of a court-martial, 

' Phinney's History. '' Resolution of the Continental Congress, Oct. 11, 1774. 



178 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

and tlic displeasure of every intelligent friend of the popular 
cause. Knowing his duty as a soldier, and feeling the full 
weight of his responsibility as a citizen, Captain Parker ordered 
his men " not to fire unless they were fired upon." 

At a short distance fi-om the parade ground," the British 
officers, hearing the beat of the American drum, and regarding 
it as a challenge, ordered the column to halt and prime and load ; 
when they moved forward in double quick time directly upon the 
Americans, as they were forming. Some of Captain Parker's 
men, unused to such trying scenes, and knowing their inability 
to resist successfully, for a moment faltered ; Parker commanded 
every man to stand his ground till he should order him to leave 
it, and added that he would cause the first man to be shot down 
who should attempt to leave his post.^ At this moment the 
British rushed forward with a shout, led on by Major Pitcairn, 
who exclaimed, "Disperse, ye rebels; lay down your arms and 
disperse ! " The Americans did not obey ; whereupon he re- 
peated the exclamation with an oath, rushed forward, discharged 
his pistol and commanded his men to fire. A few guns were 
discharged ; but as no execution was done, the Americans, sup- 
posing that they were loaded only with powder, stood their 
ground, but did not return the fire. The command to fire was 
repeated, and a general discharge from the front rank followed 
with fatal effect. The Americans, seeing some of their numbers 
killed and wounded, hesitated no longer as to their right to resist, 
and several of them immediately returned the fire of the British. 
Jonas Parker^ John Munroe, and Ebcnezer Munroe, Jr., and 
some others, fired before leaving the line. Captain Parker, 
seeing several of his men fall, and the British rushing upon his 
little band from both sides of the meeting-house, as if to sur- 
round them, ordered his men to disperse. They did so ; but as 
the British continued firing, several of the Americans returned 
the fire after leaving the field. ^ 

The firing on the part of the Americans, and also on the part 
of the British, after the first two rounds, was scattei-ing and 
irregular. As Major Pitcairn led the van, the responsibility of 

' Depositions of Underwood, Douglass, and John ^lunroe. 
* Depositions of 1775, Gordon's Letter, Clarke's Narrative, Phinney's His- 
tory, and Everett's Address. 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 179 

tlie first firing rests solely upon him. From the best information 
that can be obtained, it is not probable that Colonel Smith was 
upon the ground, until after or at the moment of the fatal volley. 
Most of the accounts, and especially the British, which are the 
best authority on the question as to who was then in command, 
ascribe it to Pitcairn. As the light infantry, which were put 
under the INIajor, were sent forward in advance of the grenadiers, 
and as the grenadiers under Smith did not join the column of 
infantry, until the delay of the latter near the Common, the sole 
direction of the firing must have devolved upon Pitcairn in the 
first instance. It is probable that Smith, who was not far from 
the Common, hearing the first discharge, rode forward, and 
arrived about the time the fatal volley was fired by the command 
of the ]\Iajor. Smith may have been upon the Common before 
the scattering fire ceased, but was not at the commencement of 
the firing.^ 

The depositions taken in 1775, and subsequently, during the 
life-time of those who were actors in the scenes of that day, 
have preserved many interesting facts relative to the firmness, 
heroism, and noble daring of individuals on that occasion. 
Jedediah Munroe was wounded in the morning ; but nothing 
daunted by the dangers he had encountered and the wound he 
had received, instead of quitting the field, he marched with his 
company towards Concord to meet the enemy, and fell a victim 
to his patriotism and bravery in the afternoon.^ On the first 
fire of the British in the morning, John Munroe, seeing no one 
fall, said coolly to his namesake, Ebenezer Munroe, Jr., that 
they had fired nothing but powder. On the second discharge, 
Ebenezer replied, 'They have fired something besides powder 
now, for I am wounded in the arm.' He then discharged his gun 
at the British, receiving two balls from them in return — one of 

' Several of the depositions taken in 1824, ascribe the command to fire to 
Colonel Smith. But though the deponents were on the field at the time, and 
saw the officers who first rode forward ; not knowing either of the officers, 
they could not tell one from the other. Pitcairn himself admitted that he was 
the officer in command at the commencement of the firing, though he knew 
that admission subjected him to the censure of his own government. 

^ Jedediah Munroe was armed that day not only with a musket, but with a 
long sword, or claymore, probably brought over by his ancestors from the 
Highlands of Scotland iu the times of Oliver Cromwell. — MS. Papers of Edmund 
Munroe, late of Boston, 



180 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

which grazed his cheek, the other passed between his arm and 
his body, leaving its mai'k in his garment. John Munroe, after 
firing in the line, retreated a few rods, when he turned about, 
loaded his gun with two balls, and discharged it at his pursuers ; 
the strength of the charge carrying away about a foot of the 
muzzle of his gun. William Tidd, the second in command of 
the company, when retreating from the Common, was pursued 
by an officer, supposed to be Pitcairn, on horseback, up the 
Bedford road some thirty or forty rods, with repeated cries of 
" Stop, or you are a dead man." Tidd turned from the road into 
the lot, where he made a stand, and discharged his gun at his 
pursuers, who in turn sought safety in flight. John Tidd remained 
upon the field so long, that as he was leaving the Common a 
British officer upon horseback rushed upon him and struck him 
down with his cutlass ; and while he remained senseless fi-om the 
effects of the blow upon the head, they despoiled him of his 
arms, taking away his gun, cartridge-box and powder-horn. 
This furnishes pretty good proof that he did not run on the first 
approach of the enemy. ^ 

Joshua Simonds, Avith three others, had, on the approach of 
the British, gone into the church to obtain a supply of powder. 
They had succeeded in getting two quarter casks from the upper 
loft into the gallery, when the British reached the meeting-house. 
Two of them, Caleb Harrington and Joseph Comee, resolved at 
every hazard to escape from the house and join the company. 
Harrington was killed in the attempt at the west end of the 
meeting-house. Comee, finding himself cut off from the com- 
pany, ran under a shower of balls, one of which struck liim in 
the arm, to the INIunroe house, (Avhere Mr. John Hudson now 
resides,) and passing through the house made his escape at the 
back door. The third secreted himself in the opposite gallery, 
while Simonds loadecj and cocked his gun, and laying down, 
placed the muzzle upon the open cask of powder, determined to 
blow up the British, if they should enter the gallery, choosing 
to destroy his own life rather than fall into their hands. "His- 
tory, Roman history," says Everett, "does not furnish an ex- 
ample of bravery that outshines that of Jonas Parker. A truer 

* Depositions of John Munroe, Ebenezer Munroe, and William Tidd : Eve- 
rett's Atidress : Petition of John Tidd to the Legislature, January, 1776. 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 181 

heart did not bleed at Thermopylfe. He was next door ncighlior 
of Mr. Clarke, and had evidently imbibed a double portion of 
his lofty spirit. Parker was often heard to say, that be the con- 
sequences what they might, and let others do what they pleased, 
he would never run from the enemy. He was as good as his 
word ; — better. Having loaded his musket, he placed his hat, 
containing his ammunition, on the ground between his feet, in 
readiness for the second chai-ge. At the second fire from the 
enemy, he was wounded, and sunk upon his knees ; and in this 
condition discharged ' his gun. While loading it again upon his 
knees, and sti'iving in the agonies of death to redeem his pledge,, 
he was transfixed by a bayonet, and thus died on the spot where 
he first stood and fell." ^ 

In addition to Jonas Parker, whose death was thus remark- 
able, Isaac ]\Iuzzy, Robert JSIunroe, and Jonathan Harrington, 
were killed on or near the Common, where the company was 
paraded. Robert ISIunroe, who thus fell a sacrifice to the lawless 
oppression of Great Britain, had, on a former occasion, periled 
his life in her defence — having served in the French war, and 
been standard-bearer at the capture of Louisburg in 1758. 
"Harrington's was a cruel fate. He fell in front of his own 
house, on the north of the Common. His wife at the window 
saw liim fall, and then start up, the blood gushing from his 
breast. He stretched out his hands towards her, as if for assist- 
ance, and fell again. Rising once more on his hands and knees, 
he crawled towards his dwelling. She ran to meet him at the 
door, but it was to see him expire."^ Samuel Iladley and John 
Brown Avere killed after they left the Common, and Caleb 
Harrington in attempting to escape from the meeting-house. 
Asahel Porter, of Woburn, was not under arms. He had been 
captured on the road by the British that morning on their 
approach to Lexington ; and in attempting to make his escape, 
about the time the firing commenced, was shot down a few rods 
from the Common.^ 

' Everett's Address. * Ibid. 

3 Phinney's History and Deposition appended, and MS. Statement of Levi 
Harrington. The number killed that morning was eight, viz : Jonas Parker, 
Robert Munroe, Isaac Muzzy, Jonathan Harrington, Caleb Harrington, Samuel 
Hadley and John Brown of Lexington, and Asahel Porter of Woburn. Three 
other Lexington men were killed and one wounded in the afternoon. 



182 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

In addition to the killed, nine, viz: Ebenezer Munroe, Jr., 
John Tidd, John Robbins, Solomon Pierce, Joseph Comee, 
Thomas Winship, Nathaniel Farmer, Jedediah Munroe, and a 
colored man called Prince, were wounded in the morning, and 
Francis Brown in the afternoon. Jedediah Munroe, who was 
wounded in the morning, was killed in the afternoon. Several 
of the above received severe wounds.^ 

Of Captain Parker's gallant company, seven were killed, and 
nine wounded on or near the Common, being a quarter part of 
the whole number assembled. This furnishes the most striking 
proof of their bravery, and the firmness with which they with- 
stood the British fire. The history of the most sanguinary 
battles, though continued for hours, rarely furnishes a per centage 
of loss equal to this. At the celebrated battle of Austerlitz, 
whei'e the combined forces of Russia and Austi'ia were so sis:- 
nally defeated and cut to pieces by Napoleon, the loss of the 
allies was only fifteen per cent ; while here it was tweiity-five. 
Brave and patriotic band ! How shall we do justice to your 
names and your memories ! When a dark cloud overshadowed 
our country, and many a stout heart shrunk back in dismay, you 
boldly stood forth in defence of our rights, and offered your- 
selves a living sacrifice on the altar of freedom. Your firmness 
inspired the patriots throughout the colonies — your blood 
cemented the union of the States. To you we are indebted, in 
no small degi'ee, for the manifold blessings we now enjoy. A 
grateful country remembers your deeds of noble daring, and will 
transmit your names to the latest posterity. 

The British suffered but little from the fire of the Americans. 

' Farmer received a ball in his right arm, which fractured the bone, and dis- 
abled him for a long time : several pieces of bone were taken from his arm 
months afterwards. The Legislature made him a grant of £15 15s. for loss of 
labor and for surgical attendance. Comee was wounded in the left arm, and 
received a grant of £12 7s. Tidd, of whose wound in the head we have 
already spoken, was rewarded for his bravery and suffering by a grant of £4 
10s. Ebenezer ^lunroe, Jr., was wounded in the arm, and remembered by a 
grant of £4. Francis Brown, who was wounded in the afternoon, received a 
ball in his cheek, which went nearly through his neck, where it lodged and was 
extracted on the back of his neck, the year following. He received £12 2s. 
from the Legislature. Notwithstanding this severe wound, he lived fifteen or 
twenty years, and in 1776 commanded the Lexington company. Nor must we 
forget the black man, Prince ; he entered the Continental service, and served 
under Captain Edmund Munroe, in Colonel Bigelow's regiment. 




o 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 183 

One man of the tenth regiment was wounded in the leg, and 
another in the hand. JMajor Pitcairn's horse was struck in two 
places.^ When Munroe and others fired from the line, tlie 
British were so enveloped in smoke by the volley they had just 
fired, as to make them invisible to the Americans. This is un- 
doubtedly one cause why more of their shots did not take effect. 
Some of the militia retreated up the Bedford road, but most of 
them across the swamp to the rising ground north-west of the 
Common. As soon as the Lexington company had dispersed, 
and the firing had ceased, the British troops drew up on the 
Common, fired a volley, and gave three cheers in token of their 
victory ! They then took up their line of march for Concord, 
the next village, about six miles distant, where they arrived 
without further opposition. The tarry of the British at Lex- 
ington was short, the whole period occupying not more than 
twenty or twenty-five minutes. ]\Iost of Captain Parker's com- 
pany, who had withdrawn to no considerable distance, returned 
to the Common immediately after the British had left for Con- 
cord, and made prisoners of six of the regulars who were in the 
rear of the detachment. It was supposed that they had wan- 
dered from the main-body for the purposes of plunder, or had 
gone into some of the houses on the road to obtain some 
refreshment, and were thus left behind. These prisoners were 
disarmed, put under guard, and conducted to Woburn precinct, 
now Burlington, and from thence were sent to Chelmsford. ^ 
There was another prisoner taken shortly after, on the road near 
the old Viles tavern, not far from the Lincoln line. These 
were the first prisoners made in the Revolution. 

The report of the bloody transaction at Lexington spread as 
on the wings of the wind, and the fact that the regulars had fired 
upon and killed several citizens, was known not only in the 
neighboring towns, but to the distance of forty or fifty miles, in 
the course of the forenoon.^ The people immediately flew to 

' Gage's Report, Depositions of Ebenezor Munroe and Abijah Harrington. 

^ Phinney's Histor)-, Gage's Letter, Hi^t. ColL 4 Series, Ebenezer Munroe's, 
Sanderson's, Heed's, and Harrington's Depositions. 

•' As a specimen of the speed with which the information of the events of 

that morning was circulated, and the effect it produced upon the public mind, 

■we will give an extract from Lincoln's History of Worcester. " Before noon, 

on the 19th of April, an express came to the town, shouting as he passed 

24 



184 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

arms ; and half-formed companies, and single individuals, were 
seen moving rapidly to the scene of action. The intelligence 
that the British were on their way for Concord, had reached that 
place between one and two o'clock in the morning. Dr. Pres- 
cott, whose escape from the British officers has already been 
related, had given the alarm. The village bell and the alarm 
guns awoke the people from their slumbers. The Committee of 
Safety, the militaiy officers, and the prominent citizens, held a 
liasty consultation. Rev. Mr. Emerson, their patriotic priest, 
was with them. The militia and minute-men were assembled, 
and expresses were sent towards Lexington to ascertain the 
approach of the king's troops. In the meantime the patriotic 
Colonel Barrett, to whose care had been committed the military 
stores in that place, was actively employed in removing them to 
places of safety. Some were secreted in the woods, and some 
under rubbish about the buildings, as opportunity would permit, 
or ingenuity suggest. 

Concord is about eighteen miles from Boston. The village is 
situated on low, level ground, and is completely commanded by 
tlie hills on either side. Between these hills on the north- 
westerly and westerly side of the village, flows the Concord river 
in a serpentine channel with a sluggish current, approaching in 
some places within fifty rods of the houses, though generally at 
a greater distance. Across this stream in 1775, there were two 
bridges, known as the North and South bridges. The North 
bridge was some two hundred rods from the meeting-house. 
The west bank of tlie river at that place consists of low, wet 
ground, which is generally overflowed in the spring freshets. 

through the streets at full speed, 'To arms ! to arms ! the war has begun ! ' 
His white horse, bloody with spurring, and dripping with sweat, fell exhausted 
by the church. Another was instantly produced, and the tidings went on. 
The bell rung out the alarm, the cannon were fired, and messengers sent to 
every part of the town to collect the soldiery. As the news spread, the imple- 
ments of husbandry were thrown by in the field, and the citizens left their 
homes with no longer delay than to seize their arms. In a short time the 
minute-men were paraded on the green, under Captain Timothy Bigelow ; after 
fervent prayer by the Rev. Mr. Maccarty, they took up their line of march. 
They Avere soon followed by as many of the train-bands as could be gathered 
under Captain Benjamin Flagg." This shows the spirit of the times ; and as 
Worcester, at least thirty miles distant from Lexington, received the tidings of 
the attack before noon, it shows the rapidity with which the alarm on that day 
was given. 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 185 

From the bridge the road was a causeway leading westerly over 
the low ground towards Acton. The road from the hill where 
the Americans assembled after leaving the village, ran southerly 
till it met this causeway leading to the bridge at an acute angle. 
This bridge across the river was discontinued in 1793 ; the abut- 
ments and causeway, however, are still to be seen. The North 
bridge led to Colonel Barrett's, which was about two miles from 
the centre of the town. The road from Lexington enters Con- 
cord from the south-east, and runs along nearly a mile upon level 
land close to the foot of a hill which rises abruptly from thirty 
to fifty feet above the road, and terminates at the north-easterly 
part of the square. The top forms a plain which overlooks 
and commands the village. The liberty-pole stood upon the 
northerly part of this ridge of high land. " The town," says 
D' Bernicre, the spy sent out by General Gage, "is large, and 
contains a church, jail, and court-house ; but the. houses are not 
close together, but in little groups." 

Eeubcn Brown, one of the messengers sent forth from Con- 
cord to obtain information, returned with the intelligence that 
the British had fired upon the Americans at Lexington, and were 
on their way to Concord. This was soon after confirmed, with 
the additional intelligence, that some half-dozen of the Americans 
had been killed.^ The militia and minute-men of Concord 

* John Hoar, and seven othtrs of Lincoln, on the 23d of April, 1775, testify- 
that on the 19th of April they " were assembled at Concord in the morning of 
that day in consequence of information received that a brigade of regular troops 
■were on their march to Concord, who had killed six men at Lexington; about an 
hour afterwards we saw them approaching," &c. Captain Nathan Barrett, 
Lieutenants Jonathan Farrar, Joseph Butler, and Francis Wheeler, and Ensign 
John Barrett, and eleven others, all of Concord, testify on the same day as 
follows: "On Wednesday, the 19th instant, about an hour after sunrise, we 
assembled on the hill near the meeting-house in Concord, in consequence of 
information that a number of regular troops had killed six of our countrymen at 
Lexington, and were on their march to Concord ; and about an hour after we 
saw them approaching to the number, as we imagined, of about twelve hundred." 
As these troops assembled at Concord " About an hovir before the British 
arrived," and had at that time received information that the regulars had fired 
xipon and killed six of their countrymen at Lexington, it is manifest that this 
information had been forwarded with the utmost dispatch, and hence must 
have been known to all the militia and minute-men before the firing at the 
North bridge. 

There is strong internal evidence in the depositions, that the intelligence of 
the slaughter of Captain Parker's men was early communicated to the citizens 



18G ' HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

assembled on the Green near the meeting-house. They were 
soon joined by a portion of the military from Lincoln, which 
had turned out on the alarminc; intelligence from Lexington of 
the slaughter of their countrymen. The gallant Captain AVil- 
liam Smith had brought on liis minute-men, and Captain Samuel 
Farrar, with equal promptness, was there with his militia com- 
pany. It was determined at first to go out and meet the enemy, 
and some companies marched down the Lexington road, till they 
saw the British approaching within about two miles of the 
village. Captain ]\Iinot remained in the village, and took a 
position on the hill near the liberty-pole. The companies which 
had marched down the road soon returned, and reported tliat the 
British were three or four times their number. The whole party 
then wisely fell back to an eminence about eighty rods from the 
meeting-house, where they formed in two battalions.^ Here 
they were joined by Colonel Barrett, the senior officer on the 
occasion, who had previously been engaged in removing and 
secreting the military stores. In the meantime the British 
apjicai-ed in full view at the distance of a quarter of a mile, 
marcliiug at a rapid rate. There was but little time for deliber- 
ation. Some were in favor of standing their ground and re- 
sisting the British troops, in case they should attack them. But 

and to the military at Concord. The deponents had information that six of 
their countrymen were slain, which shows that the tidings must have been for- 
warded immediately, before the whole number had been ascertained. Timothy 
Minot, Jr., of Concord, testified that after he heard of the regulars firing upon 
the Lexington men, he thought it his duty to secure his family ; and after 
securing them, to use his own language, " sometime after that, returning 
towards his dwelling, and finding that the bridge was guarded by the regular 
troops," stood as a spectator and saw the Americans march down to the bridge 
where the firing co • menced." The only authority we can find that even im- 
plies that the Americans at the North bridge did not know of the slaughter at 
Lexington, is that of Mr, Emerson, and his language may naturally be inter- 
preted to imply nothing more than that they had not learned all the particulars, 
though they had heard of the main fact. Such an interpretation of his lan- 
guage will make it harmonize with that of Captain Barrett and sixteen other 
citizens of Concord. None can take an impartial view of the evidence without 
being satisfied that the Lexington slaughter was known to the Americans before 
a gun was fired at Concord. "That such a fact, so perfectly knoAvn to 
hundreds at Lexington about sunrise, on a day when so many were literally 
running from town to town, should not have traveled six ?ni'es in about five 
hours, cannot be believed," — Adams's Address. 
' Emerson, Ripley and Clark. 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 187 

more prudent counsels prevailed, and Colonel Barrett ordered 
the militia under liis command, to retire over the North bridoe 
to a commanding eminence about three-fourths of a mile fi-om 
the meeting-house, there to watch the movements of the enemy 
and wait for recnforcements.^ 

The British troops marched into Concord in two columns ; 
one in the main road, and the other north of the road on the hill 
from which the Americans had just retired. Colonel Smith, 
with the grenadiers, marines, and a portion of the light-infantry, 
remained in the centre of the town, while Captain Parsons, with 
six light companies, consisting however of only about two 
hundred inen, was detailed to secure the North bridge, and 
destroy the stores supposed to be deposited in that part of the 
town. Pursuant to orders, Captain Parsons posted Captain 
Laurie wath about one hundred men at the bridge, while he pro- 
ceeded with the remainder, under the guidance of Ensign D' Ber- 
nicre, who had visited Concord about a month before, to the 
house of Colonel Barrett, in pursuit of military stores. Captain 
Pole, with a small detachment, was sent to the South bridge for 
a similar purpose.- These bridges were important in a military 
point of view, as they furnished the only approach to the town 
from the west and north-west, at this season of the year, when 
the water is usually higii. 

In the meantime the Americans, assembled on the hill near 
the North bridge, were receiving accessions to their numbers 
from Carlisle, from Chelmsford, from Westford, from Littleton 
and Acton, and from other towns in that neighborhood. 
As the militia and minute-men repaired to the scene of action 
with the utmost haste on the first receipt of the intelligence 
of the approach of the British, the companies generally were 
not full at this eai-ly hour. About four hundred and fifty 
however had arrived."^ They were formed in line by Joseph 
Hosmer of Concord, who acted as adjutant on the occasion. As 
the men arrived they took their places in their respective com- 
panies. The gallant Captain Da^is, with his Acton minute-men, 
came upon the field after the line was partly formed, and took his 
appropriate place — the one which he had occupied a short time 

' Depositions of 1775, llipley and Emerson. * Gage's Letter to Trumbull. 
^ Depositions of 1775. 



188 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

before at a muster — on the left of the Concord minute compa- 
nies, commanded by Captains Brown and INIiles, both of whom 
were his seniors.^ From their position on the liill the Americans 
had a full view, not only of the British troops at the bridge, but 
also of those near the meeting-house, who Avere seeking for and 
destroying military stores. Seeing several fires set by the troops 
under Colonel Smith, they became alarmed for the fate of the 
village. A consultation of the officers present and of prominent 
citizens was held, which resulted in a resolution to pass the 
bridge, and march to the centre of the town.'"^ 

The Americans were at this time about four times as numerous 
as the British at the bridge ; but the latter were vastly superior 
in discipline, and in the quality of their arms. Besides, the 
British had a veteran force of at least five hundred men in the 
village, on which they could fall back in case of necessity ; and 
being posted at the bridge which the Americans could .approach 
only by a narrow causeway, they had greatly the advantage of 
position. Knowing that the British had fired upon the militia at 
Lexington, and killed several men, the Americans had every 
reason to believe that they would dispute the passage of the 
bridge ; and knowing that the front of the column upon the 
causeway leading directly to the bridge, would be greatly exposed 
to their fire in case of resistance, it required no ordinary firmness 
to occupy that position. Who then should head the column? 
What company should occupy that post of honor and of danger ? 
It of right belonged to the Concord companies ; their position on 
the right of the line would, under ordinary circumstances, give 
them that post. A consultation of the officers and others was had, 
at which the subject was considered. We have no full report of 
what took place there. William Parkman of Concord, who was 
present acting as one of the vigilance committee, said that Major 
Buttrick requested one of the Concord companies to meet the 
British at the bridge, but the Captain replied that he had rather 
not. Captain Davis of Acton, promptly accepted the honor, 
dangerous as was the position.^ Captain William Smith of 
Lincoln, also offered his services to lead the column to the 

' Adams's Address, and Depositions appended. ' Ripley and Shattuck. 
•* Deposition of liradley Stone, appended to Adams's Letter to Lemuel Shat- 
tuck, Esq. 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 189 

bridge.^ That there Avas some feeling exhibited on tlils occasion, 
and that some of the officers had declined the post of danger, is 
manifest from the course pvirsued by the gallant Davis, who, in 
returning to his company from this consultation, said with emotion 
and firmness, " I have n't a man in my company that 's afraid to 
go," and ordering his men to follow him, Avheeled them out of 
the line, and placed them at the head of the column, under the 
guidance of Major Buttrick.^ Colonel Barrett gave orders to 
pass the bridge, but not to fire unless fired upon by the king's 
troops. lie designated jNIajor John Buttrick to execute this 
order. Lieutenant Colonel llobinson, of Westford, volunteered 
to accompany him. On their march Major Buttrick requested 
him to act as his superior, but he generously declined.^ 

It was nearly ten o'clock when the Americans, about three 
hundred strong,^ commenced their march for the river, the Acton 
company in front, led by the gallant Davis. Captains Brown, 
]\Iiles, Smith and others fell into line with their companies. 

' Mass. Archives, — "Lincoln, November, 1776. This may certify that Cap- 
tain William Smith of Lincoln, in the county of Middlesex, appeared on Con- 
cord parade early in the morning of the 19th of April, 1775, with his company 
of minute-men; was ordered to leave his horse by a lield-ofRcer, and take his 
post on an adjacent hill — the British troops possessing the North bridge. He 
voluntarily offered with his company, to endeavor to dislodge them, leaving his 
horse at the tavern ; by which means, on their retreat, the horse, &c., were 
carried off with one of their wounded men. — John Buttrick, Major." 

This important fact was brought before the public for the first time, we 
believe, by Frothingham in his Siege of Boston. 

^ Smith's Deposition, appended to Adams's Address. Pierpont, in a Poem 
delivered at Acton, October 29th, 1851, on the celebration of the completion of 
the monument erected to the honor of Davis, Hosmcr, and Hayward, thus 
describes this consultation : 

" But who sliall head the coluran ? Who shall dare 
Btard first the lion, leaping from his lair? 
The chiefs la consultation ask, ' Which corps 
Of these, who never faced a foe before. 
Will stand those veterans' flre ? Which will not quail 
At yonder bayonets, and the leaden hail 
That lies behind them ? Davis, are there ten 
Of your command — of Acton's minute men — 
Who will not waver — will not quit their place, 
When meeting yonder bull-dogs face to face ? ' 
' Ten, do you ask me, Buttrick, Robinson, 
Ten of my minute men that will not run? 
Say but the word — march with me down this hill, 
And you shall see, there is not one that ivill,' 
Nor was there one that did." 

3 Ripley. * Deposition of 1775. 



190 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

Their positions, however, are not exactly knoAATi.^ They 
marclied in double ranks. The British guard of about one hundred 
in number, under Captain Laiu-ie, Avcre then on the west side of 
the river. On seeing the Americans approach, they recrossed 
the bridge, formed in order of battle, and began to take up the 
planks. JNlajor Buttrick in a loud voice remonstrated against 
this, and ordered his men to hasten their march. When they 
arrived witliin a few rods of the bridge, they were fired upon by 
the British. The first guns, only two or three in number, did 
no execution, the balls, probably by design, strilving the water. 
These were followed by a few other shots, one of which wounded 
Luther Blanchard, a fifer in the Acton company. These were 
succeeded by a volley, by which Captain Davis and Abner 
Hosmer, of the same company, were killed. On seeing this. 
Major Buttrick exclaimed: "Fire, fellow soldiers; for God's 
sake, fire ! " This order was instantly obeyed, killing one and 
wounding several of the enemy. The British immediately 
retreated in great haste and confusion towards the village, and 
were soon met by a reinforcement ; when the whole fell back 
upon the main body, near the meeting-house. The Americans 
pursued them over the bridge, where one of the wounded 
British soldiers was cruelly killed by a hatchet, as he was strug- 
slinir to rise from the a-round.^ Part of the Americans turned 
off to the left, and ascended a hill east of the main road, while 
another portion returned to the high grounds, carrying with 
them the remains of Davis and Hosmer. ^Military order was 
now broken up, and the Americans improved the time in taking 
refreshments. In the mean time, the detachment which had 
been sent to Colonel BaiTctt's to destroy the munitions of war, 
returning, re-passed the bridge where the skirmish had taken 
place, and joined the main body under Colonel Smith, without 
molestation. The localities here referred to, and the movement 
of the troops, will be better understood by reference to the 
accompanying diagram . 

» Ripley. 

2 This barbaioTis deed gave rise to t^e charge made by the Britis^h that the 
Americans scalped the wounded and cut off their ears. The act was com- 
mitted by a rash j'oung man, acting from the impulse of the moment, who 
regretted it to his dying day. It was condemned by all parties at the time, and 
has never been justified by any one. It was an act of an individual, without 
orders from any in authority. 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 



191 




1. Lexington Road. 

2. Hill and high lands where the liherty-pole stood. 

3. Centre of the town, and main body of the British. 

4. Road to the South Bridge. 

5. Road to the North Bridge and to Colonel Barrett's house, two miles from the centre of 
the town. 

6. High grounds nearly a mile north of the meeting-house where the militia assembled. 

7. Road along which they marched to dislodge the British at North Bridge. 

8. Spot where Davis and Ilosmer fell. 

9. Rev. Mr. Emerson's House. 

10. Bridges and roads made in 1793, when the old roads with dotted lines were discontinued. 



The Americans, whose numbers were now considerably in- 
creased, ought, it has been said, to have intercepted this detach- 
ment at the bridge ; but as no declaration of war had taken 
place, there must have been some hesitancy on the part of 
the officers as to the wisdom or propriety of such an attempt. 

Such a step might have exposed the women and children to 
25 



192 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

the grossest outrages, and the village itself to destruction. 
The conduct of the British in the afternoon shows that such 
apprehensions, if they were entertained, -were well founded. 
Besides, the Provincial troops were unused to strict discipline, 
and it would have been difficult to rally them, and bring them 
into the field to act with such efficiency at a single point, as to 
intercept a hundred veteran soldiers ; and every military man 
knows that it would have been next to impossible for three hun- 
dred militia, without discipline and poorly armed, to capture such 
a force before they could have been relieved by Colonel Smith, 
who had six or seven hundred men at his command, and who 
must have been on the alert for the safety of Captain Parsons' 
detachment. On the whole it was undoubtedly wise that no such 
attempt was made by Colonel Barrett ; though it must have been 
a great mistake to permit the militia and minute men to disperse 
at that critical moment, as they were allowed to do, on the poor 
plea that they wanted their breakfast. 

The British met with but partial success in their destruction of 
military stores. The delay produced by the affair at Lexington, 
and the consequent caution which Colonel Smith afterwards 
observed, gave the people at Concord a better opportunity than 
they would otherwise have had to secure them ; which they so 
wisely improved, by scattering and secreting them, that most of 
them escaped destruction. Little or no success crowned the 
efforts of the detachment, sent to the South bridge. The party 
sent to Colonel Barrett's were a little more successful. They 
burnt a number of gun carriages and other implements of war. 
In the centre of the town, they knocked off the trunnions of three 
iron twenty-four pounders, burnt a number of gun carriages, 
threw a quantity of balls into the mill-pond, broke open some 
sixty barrels of flour, and destroyed a small quantity of wooden 
bowls and spoons. They also cut down the liberty-pole, and set 
the court-house on fire, which however was extinguished by the 
exertion and address of the patriotic Mrs. Moulton. Gordon 
sums up the total destruction as follows : " They disabled three 
twenty-four pounders, destroying their carriages, wheels and 
limbers ; sixteen wheels for brass three pounders ; two carriages 
with wheels for two four pounders ; about one hundred weight 
of balls, which they threw into the river and wells, and about 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 193 

sixty barrels of flour, one-half of which was afterwards saved." ^ 
After the firing at the North bridge, the British fell back to 
the village, where they were soon joined by the detachments 
under Captain Parsons and Captain Pole, who had been sent 
out to destroy the military stores. Here the whole body of the 
king's troops remained nearly two hours unmolested ; a delay not 
easily accounted for, unless Colonel Smith was in expectation of 
a reenforcement — a delay which nearly cost him the loss of his 
whole detachment. In the meantime the country w^as alarmed, 
and the militia and minute-men were pressing to the scene of 
action. The fiu-mer left his plougli in the furrow, the mechanic 
threw doAvn his tools, and neither returned to his house, save 
to seize his musket and his powder horn, that he might be 
prepared to defend his own and his country's rights. The intel- 
ligence which went forth from Lexington in the morning, had 
like an electric fire spread rapidly in every direction, and produced 
a shock of righteous indio-nation, which brour>;ht men from 
every quarter, and prepared them for vigorous action ; and 
the scenes which had occurred at the North bridge at Concord, 
strengthened their hands and their hearts, and rendered them 
desperate. 

About noon the British commenced their retreat. They left 
the village in the same order in which they entered it — the main 
body in the road, and a strong flanking party upon the hill to 
protect their left. For the first mile they were unmolested ; but 
■when they arrived at Merriam's corner, they encountered a party 
of minute-men from Reading, under Major Brooks, afterwards 
Governor of the Commonwealth ; Colonel William Thompson 

' "The shrewd and successful address of Captain Timothy Wheeler on this 
occasion deserves notice. He had the charge of a large quantity of Provincial 
flour, which together with a few casks of his own, was stored in his barn. A 
British officer demanding entrance, he readily took his key, and gave him admis- 
sion. The officer expressed his pleasure at the discovery; but Captain Wheeler 
with much affected simplicity said to him, putting his hand upon a barrel — 
•This is my flour. I am a miller, sir. Yonder stands my mill. I get my 
living by it. In the winter I grind a great deal of grain, and get it ready for mar- 
ket in the spring. This,' pointing to one barrel, 'is the flour of wheat ; this,' 
pointing to another, ' is the flour of com ; this is the flour of rye; this,' putting 
his hand upon his own cask, ' is my wheat ; this is my rye ; this is mine.' 
' Well,' said the officer, ' we do not injure private property ;' and withdrew, 
leaving this- important depository untouched." — Holmes's Armals. 



194 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

with a body of militia from Billerica and the vicinity coming up 
about the same time. The Provincials on the high grounds near 
the North bridge, seeing the British leaving the village, went 
across the " great field," so called, to the Bedford road, .and 
arrived in time to support the troops brought up by Brooks and 
Thompson. Here may be said to have commenced the battle of 
the 19th of April. At Lexington Common and at Concord North 
bridge, but few gims had been fired by the Americans ; and 
though ten Americans had fallen, only one of the king's troops 
had been killed by the return fire. But now all restraint seems 
to have been removed, and every true patriot felt at full liberty 
to fire without the bidding of any superior. Rev. Edmund Foster, 
then a young man and a private in the Reading company, gives 
a graphic account of what occured at this point. " A little before 
we came to Merriam's hill, we discovered the enemy's flank guard 
of about eighty or a hundred men, who, on the retreat from Con- 
cord, kept the height of land, the main body being in the road. 
The British troops and the Americans, at that time, were equally 
distant from Merriam's corner. About twenty rods short of that 
place the Americans made a halt. The British marched down 
the hill with very slow but steady step, without music or a word 
beino- spoken that could be heard. Silence reigned on both sides. 
As soon as the British had gained the main road, and passed a 
small bridge near the corner, they faced about suddenly and fired 
a volley of musketry upon us. They overshot ; and no one to 
my knowledge was injured by the fire. The fire was immediately 
returned by the Americans, and two British soldiers fell dead at 
a little distance from each other in the road near the brook. The 
battle now began and was carried on with little or no militaiy 
discipline or order on the part of the Americans, during the 
remainder of the day. Each sought his own place and oppor- 
tunity to attack and annoy the enemy from behind trees, rocks, 
fences and buildings as seemed most convenient." ^ 

A little above, near Hardy's Hill, the Sudbury company, led 
by Captain Cudworth, came up and attacked them with vigor. 
There was also a severe skirmish below Brooks's tavern on the old 
road north of the school house. " We saw a wood at a distance," 
says Mr. Foster, " which appeared to lie on or near the road 

' See Ripley's History. 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 195 

where the enemy must pass. Many leaped over the walls and 
made for that wood. We arrived just in time to meet the enemy. 
There was on the opposite side of* the road, a young growth of 
vroo^ filled with Americans. The enemy were now completely 
between two fires, renewed and briskly kept up. They ordered 
out a flank guard on the left to dislodge the Americans from their 
posts behind the trees ; but they only became better marks to be 
shot at." A short but sharp contest ensued in which the enemy 
received more deadly injury than at any other place from Concord 
to Charlestown. 

From the bridge below Brooks's, the woody defiles extended a 
considerable distance ; in passing which the British suffered 
severely. The character of the country obstructed their flanking 
parties ; and as the retreat was now approaching a rout, and their 
flanks were outflanked by the Americans, they were called in, — 
thus exposing their main body to the direct fire of those who lined 
the woody borders of the road. Here they were met by a large 
body of men from Woburn, who, fired by patriotism, had rallied 
in defence of the common cause. Loammi Baldwin, afterwards 
Colonel Baldwin, was one of that body. In Lincoln also, Cap- 
tain Parker, who had collected most of his men, came up with 
his company, and taking a position in the fields, poured into the 
retreatyig enemy a galling and destructive fire as they passed. 
Nor ceased the efforts of this gallant band with a sino;le discharo-e. 
They joined in the pursuit, determined to avenge the outrage of 
the morning ; and their loss in the afternoon in killed and wounded 
is conclusive evidence that they did not shun the post of danger. 
In no part of the retreat were the British more sorely pressed 
than in passing through Lincoln. Their loss was severe. 
Eight of their slain were buried in Lincoln grave-yard. The 
loss of the Americans was comparatively light ; though Captain 
Jonathan Wilson, of Bedford, Nathaniel Wyman, of Billerica, 
and Daniel Thompson, of Woburn, fell in this part of the 
field. 

The retreat here became a rout, the British making little resis- 
tance other than what could be made in their rapid flight. As 
they entered the town of Lexington, however, they made one 
more desperate effort to check the pursuers, and restore order in 
their broken ranks. Near the old Viles tavern, on the border of 



196 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

the town, they threw a detachment upon a high bluff on the north 
side of the road, to hold the Americans in check, till they could 
form their fugitives on Fiske Hill, about a hundred rods below. 
But the Americans by this time had acquired so much coniidfince 
in their own prowess, that they vigorously attacked the detach- 
ment on the bluff, and drove them from their commanding posi- 
tion. 

In the meantime Colonel Smith was attempting to rally his 
men on Fiske Hill, or at least to restore something like order 
amone: his fusitives. De Bernicre, who was with the detachment 
acting as their guide, informs us that after other efforts had failed, 
the officers placed themselves in front, and threatened every man 
with instant death, who should leave the line. This desperate 
expedient partly succeeded, and many of the troops formed under 
a galling fire. An officer mounted on a fine, spirited horse, with 
a drawn sword in his hand, was seen actively engaged in rallying 
the fugitives, directing their movements, and attempting to restore 
order. A party of the Provincials having passed through the 
woods, concealed themselves behind a pile of -rails near where the 
British were attempting to form, and poured into their half- 
formed ranks a deadly volley. The officer was unhorsed, and his 
affrighted animal leaping the wall, ran directly to those who had 
relieved him of his rider, and was taken by them. Colonel 
Smith was here severely wounded in the leg. This unexpected 
attack upon their flank, the flight of the detachment driven 
from the bluff, and the hot pursuit of the Provincials, destroyed 
the last hope of the king's troops, who fled in the utmost 
confusion.^ 

At the foot of Fiske Hill on the easterly side, near the present 
residence of Mr. Dudley, a personal contest took place between 
Mr. James Hayward, of Acton, and a British soldier. The latter 
had stopped at the well to obtain a draught of water, and as the 
ardent Hayward, who was in front in the pursuit, approached, the 
Briton drew up his gun, and exclaimed, "You are a dead man ! " 
''And 80 are you," returned the youthful Hayward. They both 

' Ripley, Shattuck, and Frothinghani. The horse captured at Fiske Hill was 
■with his trappings taken to Concord and sold at public auction. Captain Nathan 
Barrett bought the pistols, and afterwards offt-red them to General Washington, 
but he not accepting them, they were given to General Putnam. 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 197 

fired, and both fell — the former dead, the latter mortally 
wounded. He died the next day.^ 

The British were again attacked with great vigor and fatal 
effect in a wood near the old poor-house in Lexington. Their 
ammunition began to fail, and the trooj^s were so oppressed with 
thirst and fatigue, as to be almost unfit for service. Their flight 
was so rapid that their killed were left where they fell. Their 
wounded which they attempted to take with them, created great 
embarassment, and many were left behind. The troops broke, 
and disregarding all order, each one looked out for himself alone. 
This was the condition of the British when they passed Lexington 
Common, on which they had shown such a haughty demeanor, 
and so much martial pride some eight or nine hours before. They 
were fatigued, dispirited, and almost exhausted ; and nothing but 
the timely arrival of Lord Percy with a reenforcement saved the 
detachment from utter ruin. 

The British accounts admit that the condition of Colonel 
Smith was perilous in the extreme, when Percy joined him. 
Mahon, an English historian, says of Smith's detachment, "Their 
utter destruction would have ensued, had not General Gage sent 
forward that morning another detachment under Lord Percy to 
support them."^ All accounts agree that the day was unusually 
warm for that season of the year, and so hotly were the British 
troops pressed on their retreat, that they were well-nigh exhausted. 
Stedman, the British historian who attended Percy in this expedi- 
tion, not only admits that "the British were driven before the 
Americans like sheep," but he says that when they arrived within 
the hollow square formed by Percy's brigade to receive them, 
" They were obliged to lie down upon the ground, their tongues 
hanging out of their mouths, like those of dogs after a chase." "* 

It has already been stated that Colonel Smith on his way to 
Lexington from Boston, became alarmed, and sent a messenger 
to General Gage for a reenforcement. His message was received 
early in the morning, and about nine o'clock Gage dispatched three 
regiments of infantry, and two divisions of marines with two 
field-pieces, under Lord Percy, to support him. Percy marched 

' The powder horn worn by Hayward, and through which the fatal British 
ball passed, has been carefully preserved by the family. 

' History of England, vol. vi. p. 55. ^ American War, vol. i. p. 118. 



198 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

out through Roxbury to tlie tune of Yankee Doodle.^ To pre- 
vent or impede his march, tlie selectmen of Cambridge caused 
the planks of the old bridge, over which he was obliged to pass, 
to be taken up ; but instead of removing them to any distance, 
they were unwisely left upon the causeway on the Cambridge 
side of the river. Hence Percy found no difficulty in replacing 
them so as to enable his troops to cross. But a convoy of pro- 
visions under a sergeant's guard was detained, until it was out of 
the protection of the main body, and measures were taken to 
cut it off, which was effectually done in JNIenotomy. Gordon 
the historian, who visited the scene of action immediately after 
the events occurred, ascribes the leadership in this movement to 

' As the tune of " Yankee Doodle," was employed by the British in derision, 
at the commencement of the Revolution, it may be desirable to learn something 
of its origin and character. Strictly speaking, it is not to be classed with our 
national airs ; yet it is played so often, is so associated with our national life, 
and so entwined with our free institutions, that no liberty-loving {American is 
willing to discard it. Though its faults may be obvious, they are all pardonable. 
Cynics may snarl, and wits may satirize it, but the people take it to their 
bosoms. The lovers of scientiiic music may denounce it, as low and vulgar, 
and unworthy of a refined and delicate taste ; but the truly democratic reply is 
" the sovereign people do not so understand it." They love the gay old tune, 
and will not give it up. They hail it as one of our free institutions, and are 
ready to stand by it. And the singular fact, that it has no acknowledged words, 
only gives it a versatility, which adapts it to every subject, and fits it for all 
occasions. The poetry in which it naturally flows, can be composed by almost 
every rhymester, and the tune luxuriates as freely in low doggerel, as in the sub- 
lime stanzas of our greatest poets. It is equally at home in 

" Jove on high Olympus sat, 
Aud awed the world with thunder;" ^ 

Or in 

" Yankee Doodle came to town. 
Riding on a pony;" 

and it is never embarassed in whatever dress it appears. It is also adapted to 
all occasions, and can with equal grace and propriety, cheer on the brave, or 
lampoon the laggard. In fact, 

" Yankee Doodle 's all the run, 
"With every theme uniting; 
'Tis fit for marching, frolic, fun, 
And just the thing for fighting." 

Rev. Elias Nason, a distinguished antiquary, in a Lecture on National Music, 
fraught with instruction and humor, says of Yankee Doodle : 

" The tune you know is a 'Daughter of the Regiment,' coming to us by adop- 
tion. Its parentage is involved in obscurity ; many cities, as in the case of 
Homer, claiming it. Some consider it an old vintage song of France ; the Span- 
iards think their voices have echoed to iis notes in early days ; the Magyars with 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 199 

Rev. Dr. Payson, of Chelsea, wliile others ascribe It to oncDavid 
Lamson, a half-breed Indian. Probably both statements are 
founded in fact. It is admitted that a courier came from Old 
Cambridge, who informed the people of West Cambridge that 
these supplies were on the way and urged them to intercept them ; 
and that the people rallied, and made Lamson their leader at that 
place, while Payson might have been the instigator, and an active 
leader at some other point. A few of the citizens of West Cam- 
bridge assembled, and under the leadership of Lamson, took a 
position behind a bank wall of earth and stone, and when the 
convoy made its appearance near the meeting-house in that parish, 
they demanded a siu-render, which being refused, they discharged 

Louis Kossuth, recognize in it one of their old national dances. England 
entertains some shadowy tradition of it, both before and during the times of 
Cromwell ; and the Dutchman claims it, as a low country song of tithes and 
Bonnyclabber, giving the original words — 

' Yanke didel, doodal, down, 
Didel, dudel, lanter; 
Yanke vivt-r, vovor, vown. 
Buttermilk and tautber (tithes).' 

'< But whatever may have been the origin, this ' Daughter of the Regiment,' 
so far as I can learn, first appeared in America, on the banks of the Hudson in 
June, 1755, and was introduced into the American camp by one roguish Dr. 
Richar d Shu ckburg of the British Army, in this amusing way. Our Colonial 
companies, under Governor Shirley, encamped on the left of the British, meanly 
disciplined and poorly clad, and marching after music quite two centuries old, 
increased of course the ridicule of their well equipped and fashionable trans- 
atlantic brethren. To keep the sport along, this mischievous Dr. Shuckburg, 
■wit, surgeon and fiddler as he was, tells the Americans that the music is too 
ancient, and that he will get up a tune in the modern style — and so he gave 
them ' Yankee Doodle.' The American soldiers called it < mighty fine.' It 
struck a strong chord in the American heart, and was heard immediately, and 
nothing else was heard, throughout the camp and throughout the Colonies. 

" This tune became our battle-march, through the Revolution ; and though the 
British gave it to us in June, 1755, we gave it back to them with compound 
interest in June, 1775, at Bunker Hill; and we baptized the bantling, which 
they gave us in derision, in the blood of heroes, placed upon it the name of 
FREEDOM, rocked it in Faneuil Hall, and took it home to dwell with us forever ! 
♦Independence now and forever' rings through every note of it, and one 
never feels half so much like '76 itself, as when he hears it rolling. Hence the 
leaders of the Rebellion, after the pitiful policy of European kings, descend to 
the mean expedient of ostracising our national songs, in order to keep their 
wicked cause in countenance with the people. Yankee Doodle must be silenced 
before our brave old flag can be cut down ; so long as its old rolicsome notes 
roll out, the stars and stripes must and will float over us." 
26 



200 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

a volley killing several of the horses. The affrighted drivers and 
the guard made their escape as best they could. The wagons 
were taken possession of by the citizens, and were removed to a 
place of safety. It is said that six of the men attached to the 
teams were afterwards taken prisoners.^ 

Percy met the fugitives some half a mile below Lexington 
Common about two o'clock. One of his field pieces was placed 
on a bluff or mound near the present site of the town hall, which 
has since been levelled for the erection of the building and the 
repairs of the highways ; and the other upon the high ground 
above the Munroe tavern and back of the residence of the late 
Dea. Nathaniel Mulliken. By this accession to the British force, 
and by the presence of the artillery, the Americans were, for a 
short period, kept in check. Shots were fired from the field- 
pieces in every direction where any Provincials could be discov- 
ered. Several shots were thrown into the village — one of which 
passed through the meeting-house, and out at the pulpit window. 
The ball lodged in the back part of the Common ; it was preserved 

* Smith's West Cambridge Address, After stating that six of these grenadiers 
surrendered to " an old woman digging dandelions," Mr. Smith says, " So to 
West Cambridge belongs the honor of making the first capture of provisions 
and stores, and also of prisoners, in the American Revolution." Granting the 
marvellous achievement of the old lady, which some may be disposed to question, 
the truth of history compels us to say, that he must have been misled in sup- 
posing that these were the first prisoners taken that day. Percy did not leave 
Boston till about nine o'clock that morning, and coming out over the Neck, 
through Roxbury and Brighton, could not have reached West Cambridge before 
about the middle of the day ; as he did not reach the !Munroe tavern in Lexing- 
ton, till nearly two o'clock. His baggage was in his rear and was detained so 
long at the bridge, or by other misfortunes, as to be separated from the troops. 
It must have been twelve or one o'clock before they could have reached the 
centre of West Cambridge. Now, it is a well authenticated fact, that several 
British soldiers who fell in the rear of their main body, were captured at Lex- 
ington, soon after the British left for Concord, which must have been as early 
as seven or eight o'clock that morning. See depositions of Wm. Monroe, John 
Monroe, Ebenezer Munroe, and James Reed of Burlington, to whose house the 
prisoners were sent. These deponents were all actors in the scene of that morn- 
ing and knew what they related. 

Gordon, who wrote a History of the Revolution, whose means of information 
were good, gives the following account of what happened at West Cambridge. 
" Before Percy's baggage reached the place, a few Americans, headed by Rev. 
]Mr. Payson of Chelsea, who till then had been extremely moderate, attacked a 
party of twelve soldiers carrying stores to the retreating troops, killed one and 
wounded several, made the whole prisoners, and gained possession of their arms 
and stores without any loss to themselves." Vol. i. p. 313. 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 201 

for some time, when it was passed over to Harvard College, and 
by some neglect it was taken away, and as far as we know is lost. 
Another ball was ploughed up some years after, on the farm 
owned and occupied by the late Benjamin Fiske, Esq., on Lowell 
street. 

There must have been many eases of extreme bravery, of wise 
caution, of great exertion and of cruel suffering, which occurred 
that day. Nor is the glory due to the men alone. The women 
and children performed and endured their full share of labor and 
of suftering. We would joyfully give some instances of rare 
courage or personal foresight ; but the moment you go beyond 
the record you have such floods of traditionary lore, some prob- 
able and some improbable, that you cannot distinguish fact from 
fiction ; and we had rather omit some incidents tolerably well au- 
thenticated, than to falsify history by inserting the extravagant 
accounts of some credulous persons, who to magnify the worth 
of a family, or the honor of the town, would swell mole hills into 
mountains. 

We will state, however, what is true in general, that after the 
British had passed on to Concord, there was great apprehension 
for the safety of families ; and many who resided on the line of 
the great road, left their houses in dismay, and fled to distant 
neighbors, or in some cases to the woods, taking with them some 
valuables from their houses ; — and what is still more trying, in 
some cases mothers with then* babes but a few days old, and the 
sick and infirm, who had been confined to theu" beds, were hurried 
away to places of safety. 

During this respite the harrassed troops were enabled to rest 
themselves, and, by entering the houses in the immediate neigh- 
borhood and seizing whatever they could lay their hands upon, to 
obtain some refreshment. But after pillaging the houses, not 
only of what their hunger and thirst required, but of such articles 
of clothing, &c., as they could comfortably carry away, they 
wantonly destroyed the furniture and other property in and about 
the buildings ; and to complete their works of vandalism, they 
set fire to several buildings which were entirely consumed. 
Joseph Loring who resided on the place directly opposite the 
present town house, had his house and barn, valued at jC35Cf, laid 
in ashes, and other property to the amount of £370 was wantonly 



202 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

destroyed. Lydia jNIulliken had her house and shop, vahied at 
£128, and .other property to the amount of £303, destroyed. 
Joshua Bond lost his dwelHng house and shop, and other prop- 
erty valued at £189 IGs. Id. William Munroe lost in household 
furniture, goods in retail shop, &c., destroyed, £203 lis. dd. 
The whole amount of property in Lexington thus ruthlessly 
destroyed, was valued at the time at £1,761 2s. Sd.^ 

The conduct of the king's troops, after they were met by 
Percy, was marked by a vandalism totally unworthy the charac- 
ter of a soldier. In addition to a wanton destruction of property, 
they practiced a system of personal insult, treachery and murder, 
which reflects disgrace and infamy upon the commanders and the 
men. A party entered the Munroe tavern, and helping them- 
selves, or rather compelling the inmates of the house to help them 
to whatever they wanted, they treacherously and with ruthless- 
ness shot down John Raymond, an infirm man residing in the 
family, only because he, becoming alarmed at their roughness and 
brutal conduct, was about leaving the house to seek a place of 
greater safety. The brutality here commenced, was continued 
throughout the remainder of their retreat. 

As the events, crowded into the memorable 19th of April, 
were numerous as well as important, and are naturally divided 
by the change of commanders, which took place in Lexington, 
we will, like the fugitives of Smith's command, rest for a short 
time, and commence our next chapter with the flight of Lord 
Percy. 

' See original accounts as reported by a committee. The sufferers in Lex- 
ington were : Joseph Loring £720, Jonathan Harrington £103 7s., Lydia Win- 
ship £66 13s. 4d., Joseph Mason £14 13s. id., Matthew Mead £101, Benjamin 
Merriam £223 4s., Nathaniel Farmer £46 10s., Thomas Fessenden £164, Ben- 
jamin Fiske £9 7s., Jeremiah Harrington £11 13s. lid., Robert Harrington £12, 
Joshua Bond £189 16s. 7c?., Benjamin Brown £42, Hepzibah Davis £5 Is. 6d., 
Benjamin Estabrook £12, Samuel Bemis £4 8s. 8d., Nathan Blodgett £18, 
Elizabeth Sampson £10, Jonathan Smith, jr., £13 12s. Sd., John Williams £36 
15s., John Winship £12, Margaret W'inship £22 10s., ^larret Munroe £5 5s., 
William Munroe £203 lis. 9d., Amos Muzzy £18 4s., Lydia Mulliken £431, 
Wm. Munroe Jr., £9. 



CHAPTER VII. 

THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON— CONTINUED. 

Percy commences his Retreat — Heath and Warren join the Provincials — The 
Militia gather at West Cambridge — The Danvers Company — The Zeal and 
Bravery of Warren — The Barbarities of the British — Aspin wall's A ccount 

— Retreat becomes a Rout — British take Shelter in Charlestown — The 
Fatigue and Exhaustion of their Troops — The British Loss — The Provincial 
Loss — The Effect of this Day's Events upon the Public Mind — The Nine- 
teenth of April celebrated — Lexington Monument — Concord Monument 

— Danvers Monument — West Cambridge — Acton ilonument — Middlesex 
a Monumental County — A Proposed National Monument at Lexington — 
The Relative Claims of Lexington, Concord, and other Towns to the Honors 
of the Nineteenth of April, 1775. 

Percy, as senior officer, assumed the command. He had now 
under him a force of al)out eighteen hundred well disci|)lined 
troops, and two pieces of artillery — a force four times as large 
as that of the Americans. But still he manifested no disposition 
to attack the rebels as he denominated them, or to drive back the 
undisciplined citizens, which hung upon his rear, and flanked 
him at every convenient point. Though he left Boston in the 
morning with as stout a heart as that of his namesake of Nor- 
thumberland, immortalized in the ballad of " Chevy-Chase," and 
though his force was superior to that of his prototype, he had no 
disposition to " spend his dearest blood," in a contest with the 
rebels ; but took warning by the fate of his predecessor, and 
giving over his hunt in woods of old Middlesex, made the best of 
his way to his headquarters at Boston. 

After the weary fugitives of Smith's command were rested and 
refreshed, Percy commenced his retreat. His field-pieces, which 
at first kept the Provincials at a distance, soon lost their terror ; 
and the same undisciplined force which had proved such a scourge 
to Smith and Pitcairn, hung upon his rear, and assailed him on 
his right and left from the trees, and rocks, and fences, and ren- 



204 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

* 

dered liis movement rather a flight than a retreat. Some of the 
Americans who had pursued the British from Concord, gave over 
the chase from time to time on the route ; and, at Lexington, 
after seeing that Smith was supported by a thousand fi-esh troops 
and two pieces of artillery, and deeming a further pursuit un- 
availing, others returned to their homes. The larger portion, 
however, remained, and being joined by others, united in the 
pursuit. 

It was nearly three o'clock when Percy commenced his retreat. 
Up to this time there had been no general officer who assumed 
the command of the Americans. General Heatlrwho had been 
appointed by the Provincial Congress one of the general officers, 
to command the militia and the minute-men, in case they were 
called out, had an interview with the Committee of Safety that 
morning : after which he repaired to Watertown, where he col- 
lected a small body of the militia, which he ordered to move to 
Cambridge, to take up the planks and make a barricade of them at 
the Great Bridge, so as to intercept the British, if they attempted 
to return to Boston by way of Roxbury and the Neck. Having 
given this order, Heath, accompanied by Dr. Warren, passed by 
a cross road to the scene of action, and arrived at Lexington 
just before Percy took up his line of march, or rather com- 
menced his flight. Heath collected the scattered Provincials, 
and put them in as good order as the nature of the case would 
permit, and pressed closely upon Percy's rear. For the first 
two miles nothing of special moment occuiTcd ; but on descend- 
ing from the high lands, at the "foot of the rocks" upon the 
plain in West Cambridge, the fire became brisk. The topo- 
graphy of the country, the locality of the population in other 
towns, and the direction of the roads, would naturally bring 
together a considerable accesion to the Provincial force at this 
point. Not only from Cambridge, but from Roxbury and 
Doi'chester, and Brookline and Needham, and Watertown, and 
Dedham, on the one hand, did the militia and minute-men rally 
and move to West Cambridge ; but they came in freely from 
Medford, and Charlestown, and Lynn, on the other. Thus 
strengthened, the Americans made a more formidable resistance 
here than at any point below Lexington. Here too the youthful 
Foster brought up his gallant company of minute-men from 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 205 

Dtanvers, which marched in advance of the Essex regiment, and 
arrived after a rapid march of sixteen miles in four hours, in 
time to meet the common enemy. The company consisted of 
one hundred men, and had about ten days before elected Gideon 
Foster, a brave and ardent young man of twenty-six years of 
age, as their captain.' Arriving at West Cambridge, and being 
as he says, "unused to the artifices of war," he posted a part of 
his men near the road to intercept the main body of the British. 
They took post in a walled inclosure, and made a breastwork 
of bundles of shingles ; others placed themselves behind trees on 
the side of the hill west of tlie meeting-house, where they awaited 
the arrival of the king's troops. But while the main body of 
the British came down the road, they had thrown forward 
a large guaixl, which had flanked and came up in rear of the 
Danvers men, who found themselves between two fires. In this 
critical situation they suffered severely — having seven killed and 
several wounded. 

This accumulation of fresh troops in front of the retreating 
regulars, together with the force which hung upon their rear, 
made their position uncomfortable, and induced them to assume 
a more warlike attitude than they had done before. They drew 
up their men temporarily in order of battle, and in a few instances 
had recourse to their field-pieces. But this more formal array 
on their part, was met by a more perfect organization on the 
part of the Provincials. General Heath assumed the control, and 
as far as practicable reduced the discordant elements to order ; 
and the ardent and intrepid Warren by word and deed, by active 
effort in places of the greatest danger, rallied and inspired the 
men. As at Bunker Hill in June following, so here, he seemed 
to rise with the occasion, and take new courage as obstacles pre- 

' Foster's Address at the laying of the Corner Stone of the Danvers Monu- 
ment, in memory of the members of his company who fell at West Cambridge. 
He says, ♦' On that morning (April 19, 1775) more than one hundred of my 
townsmen hastened to the field of battle, unused to the artifices of war ; but 
their hearts were glowing with zeal in their country's cause, and they Avere 
ready to offer their lives on the altar of their liberties." — "I was then twenty- 
six years of age. About ten days before, I had been chosen to command a com- 
pany of minute-men, who were at all times to be in readiness at a moment's 
■warning. They were so ready. They all went, and in about four hours from 
the time of meeting, they travelled on foot, half of the way upon the run, sixteen 
miles and saluted the enemy." 

' King's Address and Frothingham's Siege of Boston. 



206 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

sented and as dangers pressed. He was seen everywhere, ani- 
matingr the men and directing their movement.^ But the British 
were too anxious to gain the cover'of their ships, and the Pro- 
vincials were too ardent in their pursuit to admit of anything like 
a formal battle. 

But there was brisk skirmishing ; and bold attacks of small 
bands, and instances of individual courage occurred at different 
points. Here General Warren had liis temple grazed by a mus- 
ket-ball, which carried away a pin from his earlock.^ Here 
Samuel Whittemore was shot and bayoneted and left for dead. 
Here Dr. Eliphalet Downer in a single combat with a British 
soldier, killed him with his bayonet.^ 

Up to the time of the arrival of Percy with his reenforcement, 
the British troops had, in the main, abstained from pillage, and 
had confined themselves mostly to the destruction of military 
stores. But we have already seen that before leaving Lexington, 
they commenced a system, not merely of plunder but of barbarity 
— wantonly destroying private property, and butchering the 
aged and defenceless. If this was not actually ordered, it was 
permitted by Percy. And tliis policy, commenced at Lexington, 
was continued through the remainder of the day. At West Cam- 
bridge their course was marked by pillage, and by a wanton 
destruction of private property. Nor was their barbarity con- 
fined to the destruction of property. They attacked and ruth- 
lessly butchered the old and infirm, the weak and defenceless. 
Even women and children were the subjects of their brutal rage. 
Furniture was destroyed, houses were set on fire, women and 
children driven from their homes, and peaceable citizens mur- 

' The conduct of "Warren on this occasion was a subject of general commen- 
dation, and probably secured to him the appointment of major-general, which 
he soon afterwards received. In a poem, published in IJoston, 1781, Warren's 
conduct at West Cambridge is thus described : 

" From rank to rank the daring warrior flies, 
And bids the thunder of the battle rise; 
Sudden arrangements of his troops are made. 
And sudden movements round the plain displayed. 
Columbia's Genius in her polished shield 
Gleams bright and dreadful o'er the hostile field; 
Her ardent troops enraptured with the sight, 
W^ith shock resistless force the dubious fight. 
Britons astonished, tremble at the sight 
And, all confused, precipitate their flight." 

' Heath's Memoirs, p. 12-14. ' Siege of Boston, p, 79. 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 207 

dered and mangled in cold blood. Jason Russell, an invalid 
and non-combatant, was cruelly murdered in his own house. 
Jabez Wyman and Jason Winship, two aged citizens unarmed, 
who came to Cooper's tavern simply to inquire the news, " were 
most barbarously and inhumanly murdered by the British, being 
stabbed through in many places, their heads mauled, skulls 
broken, and their brains dashed out on the floors and walls of the 
house." ^ The house of Deacon Joseph Adams was rudely en- 
tered, and his sick wife driven from her bed, and her young 
children exposed to the flames of their burning dwelling. We 
give these facts in the language of Mrs. Adams : " Divers of the 
king's troops entered our house by bm-sting open the door, and 
three of the soldiers broke into the room in which I was con- 
fined to my bed, being scarcely able to walk from the bed to the 
fire, not having been to my chamber door from being delivered 
in child-bed to that time. One of the soldiers immediately 
opened my curtain with his bayonet fixed, pointing the same at 
my breast. I immediately cried out, * For the Lord's sake, do 
not kill me ;' he replied, ' Damn you.' One that stood near said, 
' We will not hurt the woman, if she will go out of the house, 
but we will surely burn it.' I immediately arose, threw a blan- 
ket over me, and crawled into a corn-house near the door, with 
my infant in my arms, where I remained until they were gone. 
They immediately set the house on fire, in which I had left five 
children ; but the fire was happily extinguished, when the house 
was in the utmost danger of being utterly consumed." ^ 

Before setting fire to the house, they robbed it of all the val- 
uables which they could carry away — not sparing the communion 
service of the church, which was kept by Deacon Adams. 
Various houses were entered, and similar outrages committed.^ 
These enormities tended to exasperate the Americans and make 
them more zealous in the pursuit. " Indignation and outraged 
humanity struggled on the one hand ; veteran discipline and des- 
peration on the other." ^ 

' Deposition of Benjamin and Rachel Cooper, taken May 10, 1775, while the 
facts were fully known. 

' Hannah Adams's Deposition, May 16, 1775. 

' The amount of property stolen and destroyed in West Cambridge was 
estimated at £1,202 8«. Id. 

* Everett's Address. 
27 



208 HISTORY OFLEXIXGTON'. 

The loss to the Americans and to the British within the limits 
of West Cambridge was considerable. One British officer Avas 
left wounded at a house near the present railroad station. The 
approaching night and the constant accessions to the Provincials 
admonished Percy to hasten his retreat. 

The British took the road which winds round Prospect Hill.^ 
When they entered this part of Charlestown their situation be- 
came nearly as critical as was Smith's, when he arrived at 
Lexington and took shelter under the protection of Percy's 

' Colonel Aspin-wall, of Brookline, has kindly furnished the following incidents 
which he has heard from those who were actors in the scene. 

" On the 19th of April, 1775, the militia of Brookline marched towards Lex- 
ington across the fields as a crow flies. My father, Dr. William Aspinwall, and 
my maternal grandfather, Isaac Gardner, one of his majesty's Justices of the 
Peace, went with the rest. Jled was in those days a common color for coats, 
and appearing at the rendezvous, Dr. Aspinwall had on a coat of that color, but 
being told that he might be shot for an enemy by his own friends, he thought it 
best to put on another of a different hue. When the Brookline men reached 
West Cambridge, the British troops were resting at Lexington, and they endea- 
vored to get within musket range of the British pickets, at least to see them 
when they came. An irregular tire took place ; but when the British began to 
move towards Boston, the militia scattered, some to a distance, and others to 
various covers to harrass the retreating enemy. 

" Mr. Gardner with a few others posted themselves behind some casks near 
Watson's corner. While they were intently watching the approaching column, 
the British flank guard came upon their rear, and shot and bayoneted the whole 
party. Mr. Gardner was pierced by balls and bayonets in twelve places. 

" Dr. Aspinwall, in the meantime, had regained the college road, where he 
found a detachment of six or seven score of men under Captain Gridly, drawn 
up in line across the road. He suggested to the captain, that the enemy would 
not take the college road, but go directly towards Charlestown as the shortest 
course ; and if they did come down the road, his company could not stop them. 
Finding, however, that his remonstrances were unheeded, the doctor mounted the 
wall just as the head of the British column crossed the northern extremity of 
the road, and crying out, * There they go ! Now boys, whoever wants to do any 
good, follow me,' pushed on with about half the detachment, and a number of 
his Brookline neighbors, and getting within musket shot, he continued to fire 
with deliberate aim as fast as he could load. In reloading, however, he found 
it best to shelter himself behind a tree or whatever protection he could find, 
against the fire of his own party in the rear. On one of the momentary halts, 
his neighbor, Ebenezer Davis, passing him, pointing out the body of a British 
soldier, cried out, ' Doctor, that man's arms are yours, for you brought him 
down.' But the doctor thought himself better employed in endeavoring to get 
another shot as quick as possible. 

"After the pursuit was ended, he learned the fate of Mr. Gardner, sought out 
the body, and had it conveyed home to his bereaved widow, and her eight young 
children." 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 209 

brigade. " The liirge number of wountled," says Frotliingliam, 
" proved a distressing obstruction to their progress, while they 
liad but a few rounds of ammunition left. Their field-pieces had 
lost their terror. The main body of the Provincials hung closely 
on their rear ; a strong force was advancing upon them from 
Roxbury, Dorchester and Milton ; while Colonel Pickering with 
the ' Essex militia, seven hundred strong, threatened to cut off 
their retreat to Charlestown. Near Prospect Hill the fire again 
became sharp, and the British again had recourse to their field- 
pieces. James Miller of Charlestown, was killed here. Along 
its base Lord Percy, it is stated, received the hottest fire he had 
during his retreat. General Gage, about sunset, might have 
beheld his harrassed troops almost on the run, coming down the 
old Cambridge road to Charlestown Neck, anxious to get under 
the protection of the guns of the ships of war. The minute- 
men closely followed, but when they reached the Charlestown 
Common, General Ilcath ordcS^ed them to stop the pin-suit." ' 

On arriving at Charlestown the British troops offered no indig- 
nities to the inhabitants. The town had been the scene of jrreat 
excitement through the day, and on the approach of the retreat- 
ing army at sunset, the inhabitants were naturally filled with 
apprehension, and many had left the place. But the officers 
assured them that, if they returned to their houses, they would 
not be molested. The main body of Percy's troops occupied 
Bunker Hill, and some additional troops were sent over from 
Boston. Sentinels were placed about the town and the night 
passed off quietly. 

Thus ended a day of great anxiety and peril to his majesty's 
troops. They had left Boston with high hopes and expectations 
— regarding the expedition as a sort of pleasure excursion. But 
the day had proved one of fatigne, of toil, and of danger. Twice 
during their adventure they had been in a perilous situation. 
Colonel Smith's command had barely escaped destruction in 
their march from Concord by taking refuge under the guns 
of Percy's brigade, whose timely arrival alone saved them. 

' Siege of Bostoh. In this excellent work, Mr. Frothingham has well nigh 
exhausted all the material which relates to the battle of Lexington ; so that we 
have, in most cases, after much research been compelled to rest mainly upon the 
facts and authorities he has already presented. 



210 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

Nearly the same was tnie of Percy's command on arriving 
at Cliarlestown. If he had been but a trifle later he would 
inevitably have been cut off by the Essex regiment, and the 
troops from Dorchester, Milton and other places. The pro- 
tection of the guns of the ships of war was as grateful to Percy, 
as was the protection of his own guns to the fugitives of Smith 
and Pitcairn. 

The sufferings of the king's troops, especially those under 
Smith, which left Boston on the evening of tlie 18th, must have 
been very severe. To march forty miles in half that number of 
hours, is of itself no ordinary trial of human endurance, for 
soldiers laden with their arms, and such other appendages as are 
necessary for troops, even when reduced to light marching order. 
But this severe march was performed under the most embarrass- 
ing circumstances, — a portion of it in the night, across lots and 
marshes, and other portions of it under a galling fire in flank and 
rear — now pressing tlurough a narrow gorge, and now thrown 
out as a flank guard to clear the woods and drive the Provincials 
from their liiding places behind trees, rocks and fences. Nor 
were the ordinary trappings of war their only incumbrance. To 
bear off their wounded comrades must have greatly increased 
their burden, and impeded their march. The heat of the day, 
the haste which attended some portion of the movement, the loss 
of sleep and rest, the great difiiculty of satisfying their hunger 
or slaking their thirst — these, and embarrassments such as these, 
must have rendered their march exhausting, and made their suf- 
ferings extreme. 

But to the officers in command, and to all filled with that 
lordly pride which characterized the haughty Britons at that 
period, the flight of their troops must have been pecuHarly 
humihating. They had boasted of their ability to put whole 
regiments of Yankees to flight with a handful of British troops ; 
. and of marching in triumph through the country with a single 
regiment. To such men the shameless flight of British regulars, 
well disciplined and completely armed, before one-half their 
number of the Provincials, without discipline or organization and 
poorly armed, must have been mortifying — especially to Lord 
Percy and the officers in immediate command ; and to General 
Gage and his advisers, the result of this expedition must have 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 211 

cast " ominous conjectures o'er the whole success " of suljduinnj 
the rebellious Province. And had not the British ministry been 
fated to be bhnd, they would have seen in this day's adventure, 
the result of a contest with such a people, determined to be free. 

The actual loss to the British in this expedition was seventy- 
three killed, one hundred and seventy-four wounded, and twenty- 
sLx missing — the greater part of whom were taken prisoners. 
Of the whole loss, eighteen were commissioned officers, and two 
hundred and fifty non-commissioned officers and men. Lieuten- 
ant Hall, wounded at the North bridge, was taken prisoner on 
the retreat, and died the next day. His remains were delivered 
to General Gage. Lieutenant Gould, also wounded at the 
bridge, was subsequently taken prisoner, and was exchanged, 
May 28th, for Josiah Breed, of Lynn. "Pie had a fortune of 
£1,900 a year, and is said to have offered £2,000 for his ran- 
som." ^ The prisoners taken by us were treated with great 
humanity, and General Gage was notified that his own surgeons, 
if he desired it, might attend upon the wounded. 

The loss of the Americans was forty-nine killed, thirty-nine 
wounded, and five missing. Several lists of the killed and 
wounded have been published — the fullest of which, found in 
the ' Siege of Boston,' w^e here insert : 

Lexington. — Killed, Jonas Parker, Robert IMunroe, Samuel Iladley, 
Jonathan Harrington, jr., Isaac Muzzy, Caleb Harrington, John Erown, 
Jedediali Munroe,^ John Raymond, Nathaniel Wy man, 10. Wounded, John 
Robbins, Solomon Pierce, John Tidd, Joseph Comee, Ebenezer Munroe, jr., 
Thomas Winship, Nathaniel Farmer, Prince Estabrook, Jedediah Munroe,' 
Francis Brown, 10. Making a total loss to Lexington of 19. 

Concord. — Killed, none. Wounded, Charles Miles, Nathan Barrett, 
Abel Prescott, jr., Jonas Brown, George Minot, 5. 

Acton. — Killed, Isaac Davis, Abner Hosmer, James Hayward, 3. 
Wounded, Luther Blanchard, 1. 

Cambridge, including West Cambridge. — Killed, William ]\Iarcy, INIoses 
Richardson, John Hicks, Jason Russell, Jabez Wyman, Jason Winship, 
6. Wounded, Samuel Whittemore, 1. Missing, Samuel Frost, Seth Rus- 
sell, jr., 2. 

Needliam. — Killed, John Bacon, Elisha Mills, Amos Mills, Nathaniel 

Chamberlain, Jonathan Parker, 5. Wounded, Ebenezer Kingsbury, 

Tolman, 2. 

» Siege of Boston, p. 82. 

" Jedediah Munroe was wounded on the Common in the morning, and killed 
while in pursuit of the British, in the afternoon. 



212 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

Sudbury. — Killed, Josiah Hajnes, Asahel Reed, 2. Wounded, Joshua 
Haynes, jr., 1. 

Bedford. — Killed, Jonathan Wilson, 1. Wounded, Job Lane, 1. 

Woburn. — Killed, Daniel Thompson, Asahel Porter, 2. Wounded, 
George Reed, Jacob Bacon, Johnson, 3. 

Medford. — Killed, Henry Putnam, William Polly, 2. 

Charlesiown. — Killed, James Miller, Edward Barber, 2. 

Watertown. — Killed, Joseph Coolidge, 1. 

Framinghain. — Wounded, Daniel Ilemininway, 1. 

Dedham. — Killed, Elias Haven, 1. Wounded, Isaac Everett, 1. 

Stow. — Wounded, Daniel Conant, 1. 

Roxhury. — Missing, Elijah Seaver, 1. 

Brookline. — Killed, Isaac Gardner, 1. 

Billerica. — Wounded, John Nichols, Timothy Blanchard, 2. 

Chelmsford. — Wounded, Aaron Chamberlain, Oliver Barron, 2. 

Salem. — Killed, Benjamin Pierce, 1. 

Neivton. — Wounded, Noah Wiswell, 1. 

Danvers. — Killed, Henry Jacobs, Samuel Cook, Ebenezer Goldthwait, 

K George Southwick, Benjamin Deland, Jotham Webb, Perley Putnam, 7. 
Wounded, Nathan Putnam, Dennis Wallace, 2. Missing, Joseph Bell, 1. 
Beverly. — Killed, Reuben Kennison, 1. Wounded, Nathaniel Cleves, 
Samuel Woodbury, William Dodge, 3d., 3. 

Lynn. — Killed, Abednego Ramsdell, Daniel Townsend, William Flint, 
Thomas Hadley, 4. Wounded, Joshua Felt, Timothy Monroe, 2. Missing, 
Josiah Breed, 1. 

Total. — Killed, 49. Wounded, 39. Missing, 5. — 93. 

It will be seen by the above list that Lexington suffered more 
severely than any other town. Though her population was much 
less than that of Concord, or Cambridge, her loss in killed and 
wounded was more than one-third greater than both of those 
towns together. In Concord no one was killed, and in Cam- 
bridge of the six killed, three of them at least were non-com- 
batants of West Cambridge. Next to Lexington, Danvers 
suffered the most severely, having seven killed and two wounded. 
The number of killed and wounded is no sure evidence of the 
bravery of these companies ; but it does afford strong presump- 
tive evidence of the position of the troops relative to the posts of 
danger. And as the men on that day acted on their own respon- 
sibility, or under their local commanders, the number of casual- 
ties furnishes some proof of the zeal and bravery of the men, 
and the efforts of the different towns on the occasion. 

Some regrets were expressed at the time that the Provincials 
did not pursue Percy farther, and attempt to prevent his entering 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 213 

Cliarlcstown. Bitter complains were made against Colonel 
Pickering for his delay in bringing up the Essex regiment. It 
is not our province to pass sentence upon Colonel Pickering, or 
to intimate that he was at fault in that case. If lie could have 
been earlier upon the ground, and could have joined the militia 
some miles above Charlestown, it would have been well, and 
might have been the means of cutting off Percy's retreat. But 
it is perhaps a mercy that the Essex troops did not arrive in 
season to attack him at the Neck. This would in all probability 
have brought on a general engagement, for which the Provincials 
were not prepared ; and as Gage could easily have reenforccd 
Percy, and the ships in Charles River could participate in such a 
battle, the fortune of the day would doubtless have turned against 
us. Besides there were fears that if we pursued the British into 
Charlestown, they might lay the town in ashes, and so subject 
our friends to the calamity of being turned houseless into the 
street. The wanton barbarity they had practiced in Lexington 
and West Cambridge that day, would naturally create an appre- 
hension for the safety of Charlestown, if we should attempt to 
follow the British within the Peninsula. Such considerations 
probably occurred to General Heath, and he prudently gave 
over the pursuit. 

The events of the 19th of April produced a profound sensation 
throughout the country. They aroused the people to arms, and 
gave a new impulse to the cause of freedom. This opening scene 
of the American Revolution foreshadowed the character and result 
of the great drama, and the moral it would teach mankind. It 
showed that the Americans were alive to a sense of their rights, 
and ready to rally at their country's call ; and that though they 
were at that time without organization or discipline, and but 
poorly armed, they possessed every requisite for soldiers, and with 
a little drill and discipline would be equal to any emergency. In 
fact, that day established their reputation for energy and fortitude, 
for sagacity and courage, and should have taught their British 
brethren that the subjugation of such a people was impossible. 
Up to this period the people acted under a species of embarrass- 
ment, but now the restraint was removed. England liad been 
the aggressor ; she had shed the blood of her subjects in America ; 
she had wantonly commenced a war for the subjugation of her 



214 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

colonists ; and they now felt themselves absolved from all alle- 
giance. England had appealed to the arbitrament of war, and 
the colonists were ready to try the case in that stern tribunal. 
And the experience of the 19th of April had given them con- 
fidence in themselves. They had seen the disciplined veterans 
of Great Britain put to an ignominious rout by half their number 
of bold and determined citizens ; and relying upon the justice of 
their cause, and trusting in the great Disposer of events, to 
whom the appeal had been made, they were ready to abide the 
issue. 

But while that day's sun in its setting cast a halo of glory 
around the American cause, and there was a general rejoicing 
wherever the result was known, there were those who blended 
tears with their rejoicings, and sighed over the hapless victims of 
oppression — the Avilling sacrifices offered on freedom's altar. 
In Lexington alone, ten of her sturdy citizens, whose bosoms 
swelled witli patriotic ardor in the early dawn of that memorable 
day, were lying cold in the embrace of death before the evening 
shades had lulled the world to silence and repose. They slept 
in peace. But who can describe the angniish which wrung 
the heart of the lone widow or the orphan child at the sudden 
bereavement of a husband or a father ! or tell the gi'ief of 
the sad mother who is weeping the loss of a beloved son I 
Truly there was lamentation and mourning. The tenderest ties 
of nature had been broken, and hearts that were made to feel, 
were bleeding in anguish. But in the bitterness of their anguish 
they had one consolation — the deceased fell at the post of duty 
— fell a sacrifice, a willing sacrifice, to the cause of liberty. 
Such reflections cheered and gladdened many a heart, which had 
otherwise been desponding. Such reflections are the support and 
comfort of many a patriotic mother and wife, whose grief would 
otherwise be almost insupportable. Nor is this a vain consola- 
tion. Patriotism is a Christian virtue ; and he who from a sense 
of duty lays down his life for his country, acts in humble imita- 
tion of Him " who died that we might live." 

The anniversary of the 19th of April was appropriately noticed 
in Lexington for several years. In 1776, Rev. Jonas Clark deliv- 
ered a patriotic sermon in commemoration of the day ; to which was 
appended a narrative of the battle of Lexington. The discourse 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 215 

was published, with the appendix, wliich furnishes us with one 
of the most vahiable and reHal)le sketches of the events of that 
day. The next auniversaiy Rev. Samuel Cook, of Cambridoe, 
preached the sermon. In 1778, the discourse was delivei'cd by- 
Rev. Jacob Cushing, of AValtham ; in 1779, by Rev. Samuel 
Woodward, of Weston ; in 1780, by Rev. Isaac Morrell, of Wil- 
mington ; in 1781, by Rev. Henry Cunimings, of Billerica ; in 
1782, by Rev. Phillips Payson, of Chelsea ; in 1783, by Rev. 
Zabdiel Adams, of Lunenburg. These discourses were all pub- 
lished, and they furnish a good specimen of the spirit of the 
times, and show the independent and patriotic spirit of the clergy 
of that day ; and so by contrast rebuke that timid and craven 
spirit, manifested by some of the occupants of the pulpit at this 
day, who dare not allude to public affairs, lest some of their hear- 
ers should accuse them of preaching' politics. But thanks to the 
clergy of New England, they have generally on great occasions, 
been found true to freedom. Not only in the days of the 
Revolution, but during the late slave-holders' Rebellion, they 
have spoken out freely, and thrown their influence on the side of 
truth and righteousness. 

The events of the 19th of April, 1775, produced a deep per- 
sonal feeling in Lexington. The loss of ten of her citizens 
carried mourning into many families. But the feeling of grati- 
tude and veneration for the heroic dead had a tendency to 
assuage their grief, and produce a conviction that something 
should be done to perpetuate the fame of these martyrs of liberty, 
and to hand their names down to after generations. Such feelings 
led to the erection of a Monument to their memories, which was 
completed in 1799. 

But the people of Lexington, knowing that the event to be 
commemorated was national in its character, and that those who 
fell offered themselves on the altar of their country, very properly 
asked the State to assume paternity of the Monument. On the 
petition of Joseph Simonds, the General Court in 1797, passed 
the following Resolve : " That there be allowed and paid out of 
the Public Treasury, to the Selectmen of Lexington, the sum of 
Two hundred dollars for the purpose of erecting in said town a 
Monument of stone, on which shall be engraved the names of 
the eight men, inhabitants of Lexington, who were slain on the 
28 



216 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

morning of the 19th of April, 1775, by a party of British troops, 
together with such other inscription as in the judgment of said 
Selectmen, and the approbation of the Governor and Council, 
shall be calculated to preserve to posterity a record of the first 
effort made by the people of America for the establishment of 
their freedom and independence. The said Monument to be 
erected on the ground where the said citizens were slain, and the 
Monument so erected shall be deemed and taken to be a Public 
Monument, and entitled to the protection of the law in such cases 
made and provided." 

The sum thus appropriated having been found insufficient, the 
fact was made known to the Legislature ; and in 1798, " On the 
petition of the town of Lexington, praying for an additional 
grant to enable them to erect a ISlonument, commemorative of 
the battle of Lexington on the 19th of April, 1775 : 

" Resolved, That there be allowed and paid out of the Public 
Treasury, the sum of Two hundred dollars, to the Selectmen of 
the town of Lexington, to enable them to erect and complete the 
Monument afoi'esaid, and His Excellency, the Governor, is 
requested to issue his warrant for the same." 

It seems that our fathers had not embraced that refined theory 
of political ethics, which affirms that the true spirit of patriotism 
is impaired by the erection of visible memorials in honor of noble 
deeds. Ti'anscendentalism had not impaired their sober sense. 
They knew that, though men had an intellectual and moral nature, 
they were at the same time so constituted that most of their im- 
pressions were received through the senses ; and that thousands 
are actually moved by visible objects, who could scarcely be 
reached through any other medium ; and that the enlightened 
patriot who perceives the intellectual and the moral, will not des- 
pise the visible which strengthens his impressions, and concen- 
trates all his powers upon the object of his contemplation. 

The inscription upon the Monument was furnished by the 
patriot priest, and breathes that devotion to the cause of America, 
that love of freedom and the rights of mankind, for which he 
was distinguished. Nor does he, in his devotion to the cause, 
overlook the brave men who so nobly offered themselves on the 
altar of their country ; nor the ruling hand of the great Disposer 
of events, who makes the wrath of men praise him, and the folly 
and madness of tyrants subserve the cause of human freedom. 




THE LEXINGTON MONUMENT. 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 217 

The following is tlic inscription upon the Monument : 

Sacred to the Liberty and the Rights of IMankind ! ! ! 

The Freedom and Independence of America, 

Sealed and defended with the Blood of her Sons. 

This Monument is erected 

By the inhabitants of Lexington, 

Under the patronage and at the expence of 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 

To the memory of their Fellow Citizens, 

Ensign Robert Munroe, and Messrs, Jonas Parker, 

Samuel Hadley, Jonathan Harrington, junr.^ 
Isaac Muzzy, Caleb Harrington and John Brown, 

Of Lexington, and Asahel Porter, of Woburn, 

Who fell on this Field, the First Victims to the 

Sword of British Tyranny and Oppression, 

On the morning of the ever memorable 

Nineteenth of April, An. Dom. 1775. 

The Die was cast! ! ! 

The Blood of these Martyrs 

In the cause of God and their country 

Was the Cement of the Union of these States, then 

Colonies, and gave the spring to the Spirit, Firmness 

And Resolution of their Fellow Citizens. 

They rose as one Man to revenge their Brethren's 

Blood, and at the Point of the Sword, to assert and 

Defend their native Rights. 

They nobly dar'd to be free ! ! 

The contest was long, bloody and affecting. 

Righteous Heaven approved the solemn appeal, 

Victory crowned their arms : and 

The Peace, Liberty, and Independence of the United 

States of America was their Glorious Reward. 

Though this Monument was respectable in its day, and reflected 
honor upon the State and the town, every one must allow that it 
falls beneath the taste of the present age, and is not at all com- 
mensurate with the event it was designed to commemorate. The 
opening scene of the American Kevolution is one of the most 
important events in the history of the world. The patriotic 
rising of the people, the cool and undaunted spirit of the citizens, 
the momentous questions involved in the issue, and the lasting 
consequences resvdting from the Revolution inaugurated on the 
19tli of April, 1775, give to the day and the place an importance 
which can hardly be overrated. 



218 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

"Wc cannot better present this subject than by citing a portion 
of Hon. Edward Everett's Address to the people of the United 
States (1859) in behalf of a new Monument at Lexington. 

"Felloio Citizens: — The American Revolution is considered, not merely 
as the most memorable event in our own history, but as one of the most 
important events in the history of the world. The birth of a new member 
into the great Family of Nations, with political institutions more favorable, 
as we believe, to the rights and happiness of the masses than had ever been 
established in any large and powerful State, must certainly be regarded as a 
most momentous occurrence. It is nothing less than the transmutation of 
Colonies, receiving the law from a Monarchical Power beyond the Atlantic, 
into self-governing States, united into an Independent Kepublican Confed- 
eracy. An event like this, which, at the moment of its occurrence, arrested 
the attention of the civilized world, has gained immeasurably in importance 
by the experience of more than eighty years of prosperity, on the part of 
the States thus ushered into existence. 

" In proportion to the magnitude of the event itself, as the starting point 
in the history of Independent America, and In its relations to the general 
cause of political progress, must be the Interest which attaches to every 
marked stage of the Revolution, and especially to its opening scene. When 
a great movement has once commenced In the political as in the physical 
world. Its continuance — its increase — under the causes which produced It 
excites no surprise. But the extinction of one great system and the foun- 
dation of another, the subversion of foreign rule and the establishment of 
self-government — this is felt to be a phenomenon, and one of the rarest 
occurrences In the world. Mankind would gaze In astonishment on a vast 
continent, which they should behold rapidly emerging from the bosom of 
the ocean. History would record, as a never-to-be-forgotten era, the time 
when its mountain tops first rose upon the level waste. But, surely, the 
event which distinctly marks the appearance of an extensive confederacy of 
Independent Republics, rising from the stagnant waters of arbitrary rule, 
is to the philosophical mind an event of superior importance and interest. 

"With these Impressions, the citizens of Lexington and Its vicinity are 
confident that It will not be deemed the effect of mere local partiality on 
their part,, if they attach a very peculiar Importance to the occurrences, of 
which their own quiet village was the theatre, on the 19th of April, 1775, 
On their soil and on that day, commenced the dread appeal to arms, long 
anticipated, though loyally deprecated by the friends of American liberty. 
On that day and on their soil commenced the struggle, in which so much 
hardship was endured and so much precious blood was shed, and which,' 
by the blessing of Providence, was conducted by the Heaven-appointed 
Chieftain, to its auspicious result. 

" To perpetuate the memory of that day of mingled sorrow and triumph, 
the people of Lexington and Its vicinity have proposed to erect a Monu- 
ment on the spot, where their Fathers shed the first blood of the American 







THE CONTEMPLATED MONUMENT. 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 219 

Revolution. To ensure the success of the enterprise, tbey Lave already 
obtained a charter as a body corporate, and have organized an Association 
co-extensive with the Union. They have, in the next place, procured the 
design of a INIonument, by Mr. Haramatt Billings, a distinguished native 
artist, which, with great success, embodies the spirit of the day which it is 
intended to commemorate; not doing homage to any one individual — for 
no individual is entitled to the honors of that day — but symbolizing the 
entire class of men, who were the actors in that great scene. It is the 
figure of a Minute-Man, who, leaving his accustomed labors, and seizing 
his musket, his ball-pouch, and his powder-horn, has hastened to confront 
the disciplined battalions of arbitrary power. Such were the men of the 
lOth of April, 1775 ; such the men who fell that day on Lexington Green ; 
and in whose honor the Statue will stand as an abiding memorial of their 
sacrifice and a monument to their heroism. It is to be of bronze and of 
colossal size ; elevated upon a lofty pedestal of granite, handsomely 
wrought, with niches for the insertion of appropriate relievos, emblematic 
of the events of the day ; the whole to be of a magnitude and in a style of 
execution worthy of the great event, creditable to American art, and in 
harmony with the national feeling. 

" Such, fellow citizens, is 'the work which It is proposed to erect in com- 
memoration of the 19th of April, 1775, and in grateful remembrance of 
those who laid down their lives on the morning of the American Revolution. 
For an enterprise conceived in a spirit of comprehensive patriotism, and 
commemorative of an event in which the whole country has an equal 
interest, we confidently rely upon the sympathy of our brethren throughout 
the United States. Every citizen of the Union has an equal share in the 
benefits of the great system of self-government which received its solemn 
inauguration that day, and we would fain enlist the co-operation of every 
citizen. In the execution of the work. The blood shed at Lexington on the 
19th of April, 1775, was the signal which, from Maine to Georgia, called 
the Continent to arms. May we not hope that, not merely from the old 
thirteen, but from the younger States descended from them, in the rising 
West, a voice of encouragement will reach us in this great work of com- 
memoration ! The venerable name of Lexington has been given to twenty 
cities and towns, in different States of the Union. Will not the same 
patriotic sentiment which has thus planted the memory of the honored spot 
in the very soil of every portion of the land, induce our fellow citizens 
throughout the country to unite with us, in rearing a lasting Monument to 
the event, which has clothed that name with its wide-spread honors, and 
made it a household word throughout America, for all time ? " 

In Concord a Monument has been erected near the bridge, 
where the two British soldiers were killed.^ This monument was 

' It certainly would have been in better taste, to have erected the Monument 
on the spot where the gallant Davis and Hosmer fell. 



220 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

erected by the aid of the Bunker Hill Monument Association, 
which contributed $1,500 for the purpose. In 1825 the comer 
stone was laid, with great ceremony — Hon. Edward Everett 
delivering the Address. 

In 1827, Rev. Dr. Ripley and others published a "History of 
the Fight at Concord " — claiming the principal honors for that 
to>vn. 

In Danvers, on Monday, April 20, 1835, the corner stone was 
laid of a Monument in memory of their citizens who fell on the 
19th of April at West Cambridge. General Gideon Foster one 
of the survivors of the gallant band which met the enemy with 
so much alacrity, and who commanded the company on that day, 
made an address at the site of the Monument, in which he re- 
counted some of the events of the day, the numbers of the com- 
pany, and the rapidity with which they marched to the scene of 
danger. General Foster at that time was eighty-six years of age. 
A procession was formed and moved to the church, where an 
address was delivered by Hon. Daniel P. King. The addresses 
and proceedings of the day were published. 

In West Cambridge a Monument was erected in 1848 over 
the remains of twelve of the patriots slain on the 19th of 
April. The names of the three who belonged to West Cam- 
bridge were : Jason Russell, Jason Winship, and Jabez Wyman. 
The twelve were buried in one common grave. Their remains were 
disinterred and placed in a stone vault, now under the Monument, 
April 22, 1848. This is a simple granite obelisk, nineteen feet 
in height, inclosed by a neat iron fence. It was erected by the 
voluntary contributions of the citizens of West Cambridge. 

In 1851, the citizens of Acton petitioned the Legislature for an 
appropriation, to aid them in their laudable effort to erect a Mon- 
ument to the memory of the gallant Davis and his brave towns- 
men who fell in defence of freedom on the 19th of April. Tlie 
petition met with a favorable response, and a Resolve was passed 
appropi'iating the sum of two thousand dollars for this object, 
providing the citizens of said town shall raise the sum of five 
hundi-ed dollars for the same purpose. This condition was 
complied with, and the Monument was erected, and its com- 
pletion celebrated October 29, 1851. It having been erected 
by the patronage and under the guidance of the State, George S. 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 221 

Boutwell, then Governor of the Commonwealth, delivered the 
address. 

As the county of Middlesex was the first to declare her readi- 
ness to resist the encroachments of Great Britain by the sword, 
and as she had the proud preeminence of shedding the first blood 
in the sacred cause of freedom, so she is justly entitled to the 
highest honors, and may fairly be entitled to the appellation of the 
IMoxuMENTAL CouxTY. The towcring obelisk on Bunker Hill, 
which looks down in an awful froAvn upon British vandalism, and 
in pious veneration upon American valor ; the modest shaft at 
West Cambridge, which bespeaks alike the bai-barity of the 
retreating foe, and the heroic gathering of the friends of freedom, 
ready to do and sufi'er in her cause ; the humble Monument at 
Lexington, proclaiming the undaunted firmness of the minute- 
men, and the cowardly spirit of the invaders of their rights ; the 
unpretending spire at Concord, which marks the spot where 
British blood atoned for British rashness, and where disciplined 
troops fled before the untaught prowess of the gallant yeomanry ; 
and the more lofty and imposing column at Acton, reflecting the 
honors of the heroic dead, whose patriotism prompted them to 
defend other homes than their own ; these, fair jNIiddlesex, these 
memorials of departed worth and self-devotion, are all upon thy 
soil ; and they proclaim to the world the truth of thy famous 
Resolution, " That he can neve}' die too soon, who lays down 
his life 171 support of the laws and liberties of his coiintryJ'^ 

There is a remarkable coincidence between the 19tli of April, 
1775, and the IDth of April, 18G1. On the former day the 
patriotic citizens of Middlesex met the ruthless bands of free- 
dom's foes, and' sanctified the day and the cause of liberty by 
becoming the first victims in the struggle which made us an 
independent nation ; and on the latter day the citizens of Middle- 
sex, true to the spirit of their fathers, met a lawless horde of 
slavery's minions, and fell the first martyrs in that desperate 
struggle, which has placed our independence on the most endur- 
ing basis. In 1775, the brave sons of Middlesex were the first 
in the field, when they saw their liberty in danger, and in 18G1, 
though far from the scene of action, they were the first in tlie 
field, when they saw the Capital of the nation in danger. The 
blood shed at Lexington in 1775, and the blood shed in Bal- 



222 msTORY OF Lexington. 

timore in 1861, were alike offerings in freedom's cause ; and the 
victims in both cases should be held in lasting remembrance, by 
the friends of freedom throughout the world, and their names 
should be handed down from generation to generation ; that 
thousands yet unborn, may be taught to lisp the names of Ladd 
and Whitney, together with the names of Munroe and others 
who fell on the first named day, and whose noble daring has long 
adorned our country's history. 

Well may Middlesex be proud of her gallant and self-sacrific- 
ing sons ! They have marched at the first call, and nobly have 
shown, 'that they were worth their breeding.' And well has 
the city of LoweU erected a Monument in honor of Luther 
Cka^vtord Ladd and A. O. Whitney. 

This adds another Monument to the list, and renders the de- 
signation of Monumental County more clearly appropriate. 

As there has been an attempt to magnify the importance of the 
events which occurred at Concord, and thereby rob Lexington of 
its due share of the honors of that day, by asserting that the 
first resistance to the king's troops was made at the North bridge 
in Concord, and that no shots were returned by Captain Parker's 
men at Lexington in the morning of that day ; we deem it an 
act of simple justice to Lexington and to the truth of history, 
to present the facts as they exist ; and tliis we shall do without 
that spirit of crimination and reci'imination wliich has heretofore 
marked this controversy. 

No ftict connected with the events of the 19th of April is 
better sustained by evidence than that of the firmness and bravery 
of Captain Parker's company, and that of their returning the fire 
on tlie morning of that day. In his " History of the Fight at 
Concord," Ripley, an authority not at all partial to the claims of 
Lexington, says, " The military company under Captain Parker 
were prompt, patriotic and courageous to admiration. That a 
single company should parade in an opposing attitude, directly 
in the face of nearly a thousand of the picked troops of Great 
Britain, places their courage and firmness beyond all controversy. 
Some may think they were not so wise in council, as fearless 
in danger — not so prudent in action, as zealous in patriotism." 
Shattuck in his "History of Concord" says, "The inhabitants of 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 223 

Lexington deserve great credit for the stand tliey took in the 
morning, and the part they acted during the day. That her 
mihtia were slain with arms in their hands, is an important fact, 
and highly honorable to their patriotism and valor." These ad- 
missions, from the chief advocates of the claims of Concord, ill 
accord with the insinuation implied in conceding that " some 
very few of the militia, being in a state of high excitement and 
confusion, after the British had gone on their way, did fire off 
their guns," &c.^ 

The fact that there were twenty killed and wounded, on that 
day, belonging to a company of about one hundred, is conclusive 
evidence that they did not shun posts of danger. Not only on 
and near the Common in the morning, but during the day, the 
promptness and valor of this company were seen and acknowl- 
edged. They met the enemy in Lincoln on their return from 
Concord, and fearlessly joined in the hot pursuit, having three 
killed and one w^ounded in the afternoon — a greater loss than 
was sustained by most of the towns during the whole day. In- 
cluding those killed and wounded in the morning, Lexington 
suffered more severely than any other town, losing more than 
one-sixth of her entire company, a proportion greater than that 
experienced on most of the sanguinary battle-fields. All co- 
temporaneous and other authority, shows the firmness and self- 
devotion of this gallant company, and establishes the fact that 
the fire was returned on the morning of that eventful day. 

John INIunroe, who was a member of the company, and on the 
field at the time, testifies that, on parading the company in the 
very face of the British troops which were marching rapidly upon 
them, " Captain Parker gave orders for every man to stand his 
ground until he should order them to leave." Joseph Under- 
wood, then of Woburn, who was present at the time, testifies 
"that he stood near Captain Parker, when the regulars came up, 
and is confident that he did not order his men to disperse, till the 
British troops had fired upon them the second time." He also 
testifies that on the rapid approach of the British, some proposed 
to quit the field ; but Captain Parker gave orders for every man 
to stand his ground, and said he " would order the first man shot 
that offered to leave his post." Robert Douglas, then of Woburn, 

• Ripley's History of Fight at Concord, p. 37. 
29 



224 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

testifies to the same fact. John IMiinroe testifies that he fired 
once before lie left the field, and once after he had retreated about 
ten rods ; that Ebenezer Munroe fired before leaving the field, 
and is confident that Jonas Parker and some others did the same. 
Ebenezer Munroe says in his deposition, "After the first fire I 
received a wound in my arm, and then as I turned to nm, I dis- 
charged my gun into the main body of the enemy. As I fired, 
my face being turned towards them, one ball cut oif a part of my 
earlock, which was then pinned up. Another ball passed between 
my arm and my body, and just marked my clothes. As we 
retreated, one of our company, Benjamin Sampson, I believe, 
turned his piece and fired." William Munroe says, that he is 
confident that some of the company fired before they left the 
field, and that he saw a man firing from Buckman's house. 
William Tidd and Nathan IVlunroe testify that they fired at the 
British, after they left the Common. Amos Locke testifies that 
Ebenezer Locke took aim and fired at the Britons. Solomon 
Brown and another were seen to fire at the British, one from the 
rear of the house, and one from the front door of Buckman's ; 
and the ball holes near the door which are still to be seen, show 
that the fire was recognized and returned by the British. The 
Rev. Mr. Gordon who was upon the ground a few days after the 
afiiair took place, for the express purpose of learning the facts in 
the case, that he might write a history of the transaction to send 
to England, says that James Brown told him that he fired, and 
that several others did the same. The British account, published 
at the time, declared that one man of the Tenth regiment was 
wounded, and that Major Pitcairn's horse was struck in two 
places. The testimony of Elijah Sanderson and Abijah Har- 
rington, that they saw blood in the road where the British column 
was standing at the time of the firing, goes far to confirm the 
statement that the Americans returned the fire, and that their 
shots took effect. 

Nor are any of these facts contradicted by the depositions 
taken a few days after the events occurred. The British accovmt, 
published at the time, represented that the Americans were the 
aggressors, and that the king's troops acted only on the defensive. 
The Provincial Congress ordered these depositions to be taken 
for the purpose of refuting this statement, by showing that the 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 225 

British troops were the aggressors, and thereby acquitting Cap- 
tain Parker of the charge of rashness, and of having commenced 
a civil war in disregard of the urgent advice of the Continental 
and Provincial Congresses. They would naturally, therefore, 
select the best evidence they could for that purpose. "Besides," 
as Major Phinney justly remarks, "the principle of law that a 
person is not bound to state any facts in evidence, which might 
tend to criminate himself, was as well known at that day as at 
the present. The struggle had just commenced, and the issue 
was quite doubtful. It could not have been expected of those 
who had taken an active part in the aftair at Lexington, that they 
would voluntarily disclose facts which might, in all probability, 
as they then considered, expose them to the British halter." 

Still these depositions taken under such peculiar circumstances, 
not only do not contradict, but go directly to confirm the fact 
that the fire was returned by the Americans. Elijah Sanderson, 
of Lexington, in his deposition, given on the 25th of April, 1775, 
says " The Lexington company did not fire a gun, before the 
regulars discharged on themJ'^ John Robbins, of Lexington, 
says, " We received a very heavy and close fire from them. 
Captain Parker's men, I believe, had not the7i fired a gun." 
Benjamin Tidd, of Lexington, and Joseph Abbott, of Lincoln, 
say, " The regulars fired a few guns, which we took to be pistols, 
and then they fired a volley or two, before any gmis were fired 
by the Lexington conipany .''^ Nathaniel Mulliken and thirty- 
three others, of Lexington, say, "Not a gun was fired by any 
j^erson in our company on the regulars, to our knowledge, before 
they fired on us." Nathaniel Parkhurst and thirteen others, of 
Lexington, say, " The regulars fired on the company, before a 
gun was fired by the company on them." Timothy Smith, of 
Lexington, says, "I saw the regular troops fire ujson the Lex- 
ington company, before the latter fired a gun." William 
Draper, of Colerain, who happened to be present at the time 
says, " The regular troops fired before any of Captain Parker^ s 
company fired." 

These depositions which were taken a few days after the event 
occurred, and which are very carefully worded, plainly imply 
that the Americans did return the fire. By saying that Captain 
Parker's men did not fire before they were fired upon, the im- 



226 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

pression is distinctly given that they did fire after. The British 
official account, and the account given by General Gage in his 
letter to Governor Trumbull, both state that the Americans fired 
first, and the British periodicals of that day repeat the statement ; 
but the evidence is conclusive that this was not the case. The 
evidence is also conclusive that the Americans did return the 
fire. Not only the depositions we have cited, but the accounts 
of that day which are entitled to the highest consideration, con- 
firm the position that though the Americans did not fire first, 
they did return the fire of the king's troops. On the 12th of 
June, 1775, General Gage issued a Proclamation, offering a 
pardon to all the rebels, as he called them, who had taken up 
arms against his majesty's authority, except Samuel Adams and 
John Hancock, in which he recounted the events at Lexington. 
This Proclamation was taken up in the Provincial Congress, then 
in session, and referred to a committee of which Dr. AYarren was 
chairman, and John Hancock, Col. Palmer, Mr. Seaver, and 
Dr. Taylor were members. This committee submitted a counter 
statement or Proclamation, which was adopted by the Congress 
on the 16th day of June. In that document we have the follow- 
ing clear and explicit statement. " When the British troops 
arrived at Lexington meeting-house, they fired upon a small 
number of the inhabitants, and cruelly murdered eight men. 
The fire was returned by some of the sui'vivors, but their num- 
ber was too inconsiderable to annoy the regular troops." Lin- 
coln's Journals of the Provincial Congress, p. 345. 

As this statement was drawn up by Dr. Wan-en some six 
weeks after the event had taken place, when there had been full 
and ample time to have the first impulse of feeling subside, so 
that all the facts could be ascertained, and all the evidence 
weighed coolly and dispassionately ; and as the Provincial Con- 
gress, composed of delegates from all the towns in the Province, 
including those in the vicinity of the scene of action, adopted and 
endorsed this statement, we have every reason to give it the 
fullest credit, and to regard it as absolutely conclusive in the 
case. We might with safety rest the whole matter here ; but as 
efibrts have been made to show that the first resistance to the 
British troops was made at Concord, we will subjoin a few other 
authorities. 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 227 

Rev. ]\Ir. Clarke, in a Narrative of the Events of the 19th of 
April, appended to his anniversary sermon, delivered April II), 
1776, says, " So far from firing first upon the king's troops, n[)on 
the most careful inquiry it appears that but very few of our 
people fired at all ; and even they did not fire till, after being 
fired upon by the troops, they vs^ere wounded themselves or saw 
others killed or wounded by them ; and looking upon it as next 
to impossible for them to escape," &c. This statement of 
Mr. Clarke, who was near the scene of action, shows that the 
fire was returned, and at the same time that Captain Parker's 
men acted with prudence, and did not wantonly commence 
the attack. De Bernicre, a British officer who was in the de- 
tachment, says in his narrative, " Pitcairn came up immediately, 
and cried out to the rebels to throw down their arms and dis- 
perse, which they did not do ; he called out the second time, 
but to no purpose." This is a clear refutation of a statement 
which has sometimes been made, that Captain Parker's men dis- 
persed as soon as they saw the British troops approach. That 
Captain Parker did, with great prudence and propriety, order his 
men to disperse, is readily admitted ; but Joseph Underwood 
says in his deposition, " I stood near Captain Parker, when the 
regulars came up, and am confident he did not order his men to 
disperse, till the British troops had fired upon us the second 
time." Dr. John Warren in his MS. Diary, as cited by Froth- 
ingham, says under date of April 11), 1775 : "Some dispersed, 
but a few remained in a military position." Gordon also says, 
"A few continued in a military position. Individuals finding they 
were fired upon though dispersing, had spirit enough to stop and 
retm-n the fire." 

Foreign historians who could have no motive to misrepresent 
the facts in the case, have all given their testimony to the firm- 
ness of tlie Americans, and to the fact that the fire was returned. 
Botta, in his " History of the War of Independence," says, 
" The English appeared, and ]\Iajor Pitcairn cried in a loud voice, 
'Disperse, rebels, lay down your arms and disperse.' The Provin- 
cials did not obey, upon which he sprung fx'om the ranks, dis- 
charged his pistol, and brandishing his sword, ordered his soldiers 
to fire. The Pi'ovincials retreated ; the English continuing to 
iii'e, the former faced about and returned it." — Vol. i. p. 181. 



228 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

Graham, an English historian, in his valuable " History of North 
America,'' says of Pitcairn's command to disperse, "This order, 
which they refused to obey, was followed by a discharge from 
the British troops, whose fire, huzza, and rapid advance compelled 
their handful of adversaries to an instant flight. The fire con- 
tinued after the dispersion, and the fugitives stopped, rallied, 
and returned the fire." — Vol. iv. p. 373. In Winterbotham's 
" View of the United States," we find the following : "Individuals 
finding they were fired upon though dispersing, returned the fire." 
— Vol. i. p. 473. "Lardner's Cabinet Cyclopaedia," gives this 
account of the transaction : "Pitcairn rode towards them, calling 
out, 'Disperse, ye rebels, throw down your arms, and disperse.' 
The order was not immediately obeyed. Major Pitcairn advanced 
a little farther, fired his pistol and flourished his sword, while his 
men began to fire with a shout. Several Americans fell ; the 
rest dispersed, but the firing on them was continued, and on 
observing this, some of the retreating Colonists returned tlie 
fire." — Vol. ciii. p. 125. Taylor says of the Americans, "This 
company, not instantly obeying the order to throw down their 
arms and disperse, were fired upon, and eight of their number 
killed." — Manual of History, p. 760. It is useless to multiply 
English authorities. They all admit that the Provincials fired 
upon the king's troops. Those writers who rely upon Gage's 
oflficial account, declare that the Americans fired first, and those 
who examine the subject more thoroughly, admit that the British 
fired first, and that the fire was returned by the Americans. 

Bancroft, our own historian, says, "Pitcairn cried out, 'Dis- 
perse, ye villains, ye rebels, disperse ; lay down your arms ; why 
don't you lay down your arms and disperse ! ' The main body of 
the countrymen stood motionless in the ranks, witnesses against 
aggression ; too few to resist, too brave to fly. The order to fire 
was instantly followed, first by a few guns, which did no execu- 
tion, and then by a heavy, close, and deadly discharge. Parker 
ordered his men to disperse. Then and not till then, did a few 
of them, on their own impulse, return the British fire." Speak- 
ing of Jonas Parker, he says, "A wound brought him on his 
knees. Having discharged his gun, he was preparing to load it 
again, when as sound a heart as ever throbbed for freedom, was 
stilled by a bayonet." 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 229 

Lcndrum in his "Plistory of the American Rcvohition," gives 
this truthful account of the transaction at Lexington on the morn- 
ing of the 19th; " Major Pitcairn who led the advanced corps, 
rode up to them, and called out, 'Disperse, you rebels, throw 
down yovu" arms and disperse.' The Americans still continued 
in a body, on which he advanced nearer, discharged his pistol, 
and ordered his soldiers to fire. This was done with a huzza. 
A dispersion of the militia was the consequence, but the firing of 
the reo;ulars was nevertheless continued. Individuals finding 
they were fired upon, though dispersing, returned the fire." — 
Kevised Edition, vol. i, p. 91. 

Ramsay, the justly distinguished American historian, tells us 
that after Pitcairn ordered the Americans to disperse, " They con- 
tinued in a body, on which he advanced nearer, discharged his 
pistol, and ordered his soldiers to fire. Individuals finding they 
were fired upon, though dispersing, returned the fire." — History 
of the United States, vol. ii. p. 14. Hannah Adams, in her 
"History of New England," gives the same account. Holmes, 
in his "American Annals," gives us a similar account. "The 
firing," says he, " continued after the dispersion, and the fugitives 
stopped and returned the fire." In the " Encyclopaxlia Ameri- 
cana," we have this testimony : "The English connnander having 
commanded the Americans to disperse, ordered his men to fire. 
Several Americans wei*e killed and wounded, and the company 
dispersed, several of the militia discharging their muskets as they 
retreated." Lossing says, "As the patriots did not instantly 
obey the command to lay down their arms, Pitcairn wheeled his 
horse, and waving his sword, gave orders to press forward and 
surround the militia. Pitcairn then drew his pistol and discharged 
it, at the same moment giving the word Fire. A general dis- 
charge of musketry ensued. Four of the patriots were killed 
and the remainder dispersed. Finding themselves fired upon, 
while retreating, several of them halted and returned the shots, 
and then secured themselves behind stone walls and buildings. 
Three British soldiers and Pitcairn's horse were wounded." — 
Pictorial Field Book of the Revolution, p. 524. 

But it has frequently been said that there was no " organized 
opposition" at Lexington. I am rather at a loss to understand 
what is meant by organized opposition. That Captain Parker's 



230 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

company was an organized company, as much as any in the field 
that day, admits of no doubt. His men were called together by 
his command, paraded under his order, and were expressly for- 
bidden to leave the field without his order. It is abundantly 
proved that he ordered them to load their guns with powder and 
ball, and to form in warlike array in the very face of the British 
troops, and they refused to throw down their arms and disperse, 
when commanded so to do by the rash leader of the king's de- 
tachment. This of itself was organized opposition to the king's 
authority, and such opposition as would have been regarded as 
treason by the British Government at that day. The very writers 
who deny that there was any organized resistance at Lexington 
in the morning, furnish evidence that Parker's company came 
upon parade, armed and prepared for resistance, if it should 
become necessary. Sylvanus Wood testifies that as he was 
about to form his men on the field, "Parker says to them, 'Every 
man of you who is equipped follow me, and those of you who 
are not equipped, go into the meeting-house, and furnish your- 
selves from the magazine, and immediately join the company.' " 
Kobert Douglas testifies that he formed with Captain Parker's 
company on the Common, near the road that leads to Bedford ; 
"There we were commanded to load our guns. Some of the 
company observed, 'There were so few of us, it would be folly to 
stand here.' Captain Parker replied, 'The first man who offers 
to run shall be shot down.' " ^ This certainly looks like organi- 
zation and strict discipline. 

It is readily admitted tliat Captain Parker when he ordered his 
men to load their guns, gave order " not to fire, unless they were 
first fired upon," ^ and this was the same order Avhich Colonel 
Barrett gave at the North bridge at Concord, several hours after, 
though it was known at that time that the British had commenced 
the attack at Lexington, and liad killed several men.^ This 
command in both cases was prudent and wise under the circum- 
stances ; and especially so in the morning, before any blood had 
been shed. But in both cases the command not to " fire unless 
they were first fired upon" implied a permission, if not a com- 
mand, to fire in case they were attacked. Another thing going 

' Riploy's History. ' Nathan Munroe's Deposition. 

^ Depositions of Colonel Barrett, and Captain Uarrett, and others. 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 231 

to sliow that there was organized resistance at Lexington in the 
morning, is tlie fact that several prisoners were taken in Lexing- 
ton, before the British had reached Concord. There might have 
been no express command to return the fire at Lexington. But 
as the members of this company were citizens as well as soldiers , 
and as the whole subject had long been discussed in every cu-cle, 
they all felt at perfect liberty to act on the defensive : so that the 
firing of the king's troops removed all restraint, and was a sort 
of command to every man to defend himself as best he might. 
It was on this principle that the Americans acted during the 
retreat from Concord to Charlestown ; but no one will assert that 
there was no military resistance in the afternoon, because the 
Provincials fired in most cases without any express orders, and 
performed many deeds of noble daring on their own responsi- 
bility, without being led to the attack by a commanding officer. 

Nor is it true that the first British blood was shed at Concord. 
The evidence is conclusive that one if not two Bi'itish soldiers 
were wounded at Lexington in the morning. It is true that no 
one was killed ; and even at the North Bridge at Concord, which 
has been claimed as the first battle-field of the Revolution, only 
one man was killed by the return fire, the other being killed 
with a hatchet after he was wounded, and left on the field by the 
British in their hasty retreat. It would be unsafe to infer that 
there could have been no resistance at Lexington in the morning, 
because no one was killed. Many a man goes through a succes- 
sion of desperate battles unhurt. The number of killed in any 
encounter of arms depends in a great degree upon the doctrine 
of chances ; and none have greater need of pleading this docti'ine 
of chances than those who maintain that Concord was the place 
where the first resistance was made to the king's troops. All 
accounts agree that no one belonging to Concord was killed on 
that day, though their population and militia were double those 
of Lexington, and according to their own statements, not more 
than four or five were wounded.^ It would be rather ungenerous 
to infer that no citizen of Concord occupied a post of danger 
during that day, because no one happened to be slain. 

I will not revive the controversy which has unhappily existed 
between citizens of the different towns along the line traversed 

' Ripley states the number at three, and Shattuck a.t four. 
30 



232 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

by the British troops on that memorable day. There was some- 
tliing peculiar in each case, and as the people were called upon 
to act at once and without premeditation, it is remarkable that 
they acted as wisely as they did. If war had actually existed, it 
would have been imprudent in Captain Parker to have drawn up 
his men in open field in front of a force ten times as great as his 
own. But at that time war had not been declared, and General 
Gage had assured the people at sundry times, that they should 
not be molested by his troops, so long as they refrained from acts 
of violence. Captain Parker therefore could not have anticipated 
the attack which was made upon his company. The state of the 
times fully justified him in calling his men together ; and as a 
precautionary measure, he ordered them to load their pieces, so 
as to be prepared to defend themselves in case they were attacked. 
Being upon the field and being fired on as they were, common pru- 
dence, and even true courage required that he should immediately 
retire from before such a superior force. If he had led them 
off in order, they would have been much more exposed to the 
enemy's fire, than they were by fleeing in every direction. The 
order to disperse was, under the circumstances, the wisest and the 
best that could have been given. The firing of his men was 
spontaneous ; and just what would naturally occur among men 
of true courage and patriotism, unused to strict discipline, and 
exasperated by the unprovoked slaughter of their brethren. No 
citizen of Lexington — no intelligent patriot could, under the 
circumstances, have desired a different course of action on the 
part of Captain Parker and the brave men under his command. 

But when the British arrived at Concord, the Americans were 
much better prepared to receive them. They had heard of the 
slaughter of their countrymen in the morning, and hence the 
embarrassment arising from commencing the attack, was in some 
degree removed. Their force was also much greater, and hence 
they were better qualified to defend themselves. The stay of the 
British was much longer, and hence the people could act with 
more deliberation. But on the other hand, there was a new source 
of embarrassment. Detachments of troops had been sent to 
different sections of the town, and were in the act of entering 
houses in search of military stores, and were demanding refresh- 
ments of the families. To attack the British troops under these 



BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 233 

circumstances, might expose tlieir homes and families to destruc- 
tion. If, therefore, we iiud the Concord minute-men and mihtia 
less ready for an attack upon the king's troops, less zealous in 
the field, and more disposed to leave the ranks than the men from 
the other towns, who had come to Concord that morning, we can 
easily account for it, without distrusting their courage or impugn- 
ing their patriotism. The deposition of Dr. Timothy INIinott, jr., 
reveals a state of feeling which must have osisted at Concord to a 
considerable extent. He says, "After I liad heard of the regular 
troops' firing upon the Lexington men, and fearing that hostilities 
might be commenced at Concord, I thought it my incumbent duty 
to secure my family." This duty occupied him so long that he 
arrived at the North bridge only in season to be spectator of the 
firing there. Nothing is more natural, under the circumstances, 
than for the father and the husband to over-ride the soldier, and 
make the wife and the children the first object of his care. This, 
undoubtedly, was the case in some degree at Concord on the 
morning of the 19th of April; and if some may think that it 
detracts from the merits of the soldier, others with reasons satis- 
factory to themselves, may think that it adds to the Avortli of the 
man. 

The bravery and self-devotion of Captain Davis and his gallant 
Acton compan}^ warmly commend themselves to every true and 
noble heart. But at the same time it is but just to say, that his 
command was Ijetter situated, than were the companies of Concord, 
for bold and efficient action in the field. The wives and children 
of the former were remote from the scene of action, and could be 
best defended by meeting and repulsing the enemy there and then. 
But an attack and even a repulse of the enemy at the North 
bridge, might, to the citizens of Concord, be but the prelude to 
the firing of their dwellings, and the destruction of their families. 
The honors of the 19th of April are too great to be engrossed 
by any one individual, or to be monopolized by a single town. 
As the cause was one, so are the honors to be distributed among 
all who acted together that day. When Concord talks of her 
old North bridge, she should remember that the spot is conse- 
crated by the blood of Davis and Hosmer shed under the guidance 
of Barrett and Buttrick ; and when Arlington points to the 
field where patriots struggled and where heroes fell, she must 



234 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

remember that the victims of Danvers were offered upon her 
altar. And if Lexington in the twilight of the morning was 
doomed to "tread the wine-press alone," it was only because the 
attack was so sudden that others could not arrive to share the 
glories with her. Concord, and Lincoln, and Lexington, and 
Cambridge, and Charlestown — towns through which the British 
passed that day — must be content to divide their honors with 
Acton, and Stow, and Sudbury, and Framingham, and Billerica, 
and Chelmsford, and Bedford, and Reading, and W'obum, and 
Medford, and Watertown, and Dedham, and Roxbury, and 
Needham, and Brookline, and Newton, and Beverly, and Salem, 
and Danvers, and Lynn, and even with other towns, whose gal- 
lant minute-men promptly rushed toward the scene of action, 
and were prevented only by distance from sharing in the dangers 
of the day. 

The events of the 19th of April are far too momentous to be 
confined to a township, limited to a colony, or circumscribed by a 
continent. They are an important link in a vast chain of causes 
whose effects have been and are still being felt in the remotest 
part of the civilized world. They grew out of a system of 
oppression, and were but the natural upheaving of the human 
breast in its sighs for freedom. They were the beginning of a 
revolution founded in human nature ; and the work they com- 
menced must go on. Kings may denounce, and courts may 
condemn it ; but the cause itself must prosper. Liberty will 
rise and rei"rn when thrones shall have crumbled to dust. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

EFFECTS OF THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 

The Idea of Independence of Slow Growth — Was entertained by the Leading 
Statesmen in 1774 — The Movement at Lexington and Concord in Obedience 
to the Policy of the Committee of Safety — Its Effect upon the Colonies — 
Intelligence sent to Great Britain — Its Effects there. 

We have seen the gradual developments of the oppressive 
policy of Great Britain which led to the American Revolution, 
and the measures adopted by the Colonies to resist those usurpa- 
tions. We recur to tliis subject only for the purpose of inquiring 
into the intent of the Colonies in their opposition, and whether 
they actually aimed at independence. Every proficient in the 
philosophy of the human mind, and every attentive reader of 
history will readily admit, that a fixed and permanent public 
opinion is of slow growth ; and when this sentiment is directly 
repugnant to the sentiment which has before prevailed, it fre- 
quently has its origin in some startling event, or crying evil. 
And how great soever the evil may be, the first effort generally 
is, not to eradicate but to reform it, regarding it only as an abuse 
of something intrinsically valuable. But to oppose the evil with 
success, to awaken the public to its enormity, the strongest 
ground is taken in opposition ; and principles are laid down, 
which when fully carried out, will not only reform the abuse, but 
eradicate the thing abused. 

Tliis principle may be seen in the controversy between the 
Colonies and the mother country. Our patriot fathers had in the 
first instance no idea of a separation from the British empire. 
They had established governments here, which were comparatively 
free, and while the royal governors and officers appointed by the 
crown, conformed substantially to their wishes, the Colonists 
were perfectly content to remain subject to Great Britain. Ab- 
solute independence was not at first aspired at or hardly dreamed 



236 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

of. But when Great Britain boldly asserted the right of Parlia- 
ment to legislate for the Colonies " in all cases whatsoever," and 
this right was firmly denied by the Colonists, an issue was made, 
which if carried to a final decision, must end in the utter subju- 
gation, or the absolute independence of the Colonies. This 
must have been seen by the •intelligent men on both sides ; but 
mutually hoping and believing that the other would yield some- 
thing, they both flattered themselves that the controversy would 
be settled, without being carried to extremes. 

The absolute independence of the Colonies was undoubtedly 
an idea of slow growth, especially in some minds. The pro- 
vei'bial loyalty of Britons, their attachment to British institutions, 
contributed to drive from their minds the thought of an entire 
separation from the parent country, and led them to appeal to the 
justice and humanity of Great Britain. But when their repeated 
petitions were answered only by repeated injuries, they began to 
balance in their minds the painful and uncertain struggle of a 
revolution, and the disgraceful submission to unconstitutional and 
arbitrary exactions. That men of different temperaments should 
come to different conclusions was to be expected ; and that those 
who saw that resistance must come, should differ as to the time 
and manner of making the demonstration, is much more natural. 

But in this they were all agreed — that persuasion and suppli- 
cation should first be tried, and that resistance to the laws slK)uld 
not be resorted to till all milder means had failed. Before the 
breaking out of hostilities, the intelligent men of the country 
must have seen to what things were tending, and that a collision 
of arms was inevitable ; and that a war once begun must end in 
our independence or subjugation. 

The master minds in Massachusetts, from their intimate 
acquaintance with public affairs, must have perceived, after the 
action of Parliament, in May, 1774, that a reconciliation was 
out of the question. The Regulating Act, as it was generally 
denominated, and the "Act for the more impartial administration 
of justice in the Province," which virtually repealed the Charter 
of Massachusetts, and established a despotism ; connected as tliey 
were with the shutting up of the Port of Boston, and taking mili- 
tary possession of the town, presented the alternative of submitting 
to unlawful and oppressive measm'^es, or defending their rights at 



EFFECTS OF THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 237 

the point of the bayonet. The stern principles of the Puritans, 
developed, tried, and purified as they had been, by ten years' 
controversy with the British Ministry, in defence of what they 
lield most dear, led them at once to decide this question. Un- 
conditional submission was not to be tolerated, and resistance 
became a mere question of manner and of time. 

Samuel Adams and Joseph Ilawley, the controlling minds in 
Eastern and Western Massachusetts, foresaw the result, and cm- 
ployed all their powers to prepare the people for the crisis. Their 
zeal, however, was strictly according* to knowledge. Being sen- 
sible that IMassachusetts could not contend single-handed and 
alone with the gigantic power of Great Britain, their great object 
was to enlist the other Colonies in the cause. Knowing that any 
hasty or premature step on the part of this Colony might repel 
their distant brethren who felt less keenly the iron heel of op- 
presion, they counselled moderation and forbearance ; but at the 
same time they labored to the utmost to put the Colony in the 
best state of defence, that it might be prepared for the crisis 
which they foresaw was approaching. 

Some persons appear to have regarded the events of April 19, 
1775, as merely accidental, producing an open rupture, which a 
little prudence might have avoided ; and to suppose that up to that 
time, the controversy might have been settled, as our fjithers had 
not aspired at independence. Our own distinguished historian 
seems to be of this opinion. Speaking of the people as late as 
May, 1774, he says, "They were rushing towards revolution, 
and they kneio it not.''^ ^ Again speaking of the SuiTolk Con- 
vention of that day, he says, "Thus far, they had not discovered 
that independence was really the desire of their own hearts." ^ 
Such ignorance of the real state of affairs at that period, might 
perhaps be ascribed to some men in the community, but could 
not with any propriety be attributed to Samuel Adams and Dr. 
Warren — the very men who got up and guided that Convention. 
As evidence that the people of the Colonies did not aspire at 

1 Bancroft's History of United States, vol. vii. p. 22. 

' Ibid. p. 36. Mr. Bancroft seems to delight in surprising his readers hy the 
sudden transition from one extreme to the other; and while in this way he is 
able to produce a striking stage effect, we are satisfied that the writer who follows 
nature and events just as they are developed, is a safer guide, though his page 
may be less dramatic. Lightning from a clear sky is a rare phenomenon. 



238 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

independence as late as October, 1774, our historian reverts to 
the fact that the Continental Congress in their Address to the 
king, say, " We ask but for peace, liberty and safety. Your 
royal authority over us, and our connection with Great Britain, 
we shall always support and maintain." He then adds, "But 
the best evidence of their sincerity is found in the measure (non- 
importation) which they recommended. Had independence been 
their object, they would have strained every nerve to increase 
their exports, and fill the country in return with manufactures 
and munitions which they required." ^ 

We admit that Congress in true diplomatic style, speak of 
their attachment to the person of the king, and devotion to the 
parent country ; but this was in an address in which they recount 
all their grievances, which they declare to be "too severe to be 
any longer tolerable," and which they entreat the crown to re- 
move. Nor can we see any evidence that they did not desu'e 
independence in their recommendation of non-intercourse, because 
a free importation such as is suggested, would subject them to 
those very impost duties, which were the primary cause of their 
dissatisfaction. Nor was this address to the king adopted until 
after they had resolved " That this Congress approve of the oppo- 
sition of the inhabitants of Massachusetts-Bay to the execution 
of the late Acts of Parliament ; and if the same shall be at- 
tempted to be carried into execution by force, in such a case, all 
A.mertca ought to support them in their opposition." 

The same Congress in their Declaration of Rights, laid doAvn 
principles which, if adhered to, must of necessity bring them into 
collision with Great Britain, unless she retraced her steps by 
repealing her obnoxious Acts, and withdrawing her troops from 
the Colonies. Resolutions passed unanimously declared in sub- 
stance that taxes could not be imposed upon them, or troops 
quartered among them without their consent ; that they held 
their rights by the English Constitution and their Charters, and 
that America cannot submit to an invasion of her rights. 

The leading men, especially in Massachusetts, where the de- 
velopment of t}a'anny Avas the most perfect, were fully sensible 
during the year 1774, that an open rupture would ensue ; though, 
from prudential considerations, they did not make this public 

' Bancroft's History of United States, vol. vii. p. 150. 



EFFECTS OF THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 239 

avowal. They knew that the first colHsion in arms would be the 
signal for a war, which must eventuate in the absolute indepen- 
dence, or the utter subjugation of the Colonies. Knowing that 
Massachusetts was marked as the first victim, and that this 
Colony, unaided and alone, could not hope for success in a con- 
test with one of the mightiest powers of the earth, their first 
effort was to enlist the other Colonies in the cause. Consequently 
they bore and forbore, knowing that the other Colonies which 
had in a less degree felt the weight of British oppression, were 
not equally prepared with themselves to make an appeal to the 
God of battles. Their great object was to impress their brethren 
in the other Colonies with the important fact, that Massachusetts 
was suftering in the cause of American freedom, and that the 
blow aimed at the patriotic town of Boston, was, in truth, Jiimed 
at Massachusetts, and through her at the other Colonies ; and 
they assured their brethren elsewhere, that this Colony would act 
with prudence and moderation, so that the other Colonies which 
had the same interest at stake with themselves, should not be 
involved in any new difficulties through their rashness. 

This policy is manifest from the correspondence of that day. 
When the inhabitants of Boston wei'e reduced to the greatest 
distress by the operation of the Boston Port Bill, and the people 
at a distance with a liberal hand contributed to their necessities, 
the voice which went out from Boston in grateful acknowledg- 
ments, breathed this wise, cautious and patriotic spirit : MVe are 
greatly distressed ; but we rejoice that we are suffering in a com- 
mon cause ; and while we are thus sustained by your sympathy 
and munificence, we are resolved to stand firm in defence of 
those rifjhts which are the common inheritance of all the Amer- 
ican Colonies.' But in the midst of these assurances, the idea 
is frequently presented, that war must ultimately ensue, unless 
their orievances were redressed. 

Writing to the Committee of Preston, Conn., under date of 
August 24, 1774, Dr. AVarren says, "If non-intercourse with 
Great Britain should fail, and we should be obliged to seek 
redress in the way you hint (by arms), we flatter ourselves that 
we shall act like men, and merit the approbation of all America." 
On the 27th, to the Committee of Norwich, he says, "If this 
should fail, we must have recourse to the last resort.''^ 
31 



240 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

Samuel Adams, whose foresight enabled him to perceive tlie 
inevitable issue of the contest, with characteristic caution, says, 
in Avriting to the Committee of Westmoreland, Va., in jNIarch, 
1775: "The people of Boston bear repeated insults of the 
grossest kind, not from want of the feelings of just resentment, 
or spirit enough to make ample returns, but from principles of 
sound policy and reason. Put yovu' enemy in the wrong, and 
keep him so, is a wise maxim in politics as well as in war. They 
had rather forego the gratification of revenging affronts and in- 
dignities, than prejudice that all-important cause which they have 
so much at heart, by precipitating a crisis. AMien they are 
pushed by clear necessity for the defence of their liberties to the 
trial of arms, I trust in God, they will convince their friends and 
their enemies of their military skill and valor. . . . They are 
daily 'preparing for it.^'' 

Such intimations, cautiously expressed, show in the clearest 
manner the expectations of those patriots ; and when they were 
writing more privately to particular friends* they expressed their 
convictions more fully. Dr. Warren, in a letter to Josiah Quincy, 
Jr., Esq., then in London, dated Nov. 21, 1774, employs this 
language : " It is the united voice of America to preserve their 
freedom or lose their lives in defence of it. Their resolutions 
are not the effects of inconsiderate rashness, but the sound result 
of sober inquiry and deliberation. I am convinced that the true 
spirit of liberty was never so universally diffused through all 
ranks and orders of people in any country on the face of the 
earth, as it now is through all North America." In a letter to 
Arthur Lee, then in London, dated Feb. 20, 1775, he says : "It 
is truly astonishing that the administration should have a doubt 
of the resolution of the Americans to make the last appeal^ 
rather than submit to wear the yoke prepared for their necks." 
Again under date of April 3, 1775, he says : "America must and 
will be free. The contest may be severe, the end will be glor- 
ious. But we mean not to make that appeal, until we can be 
justified in doing it in the sight of God and man." 

Nor was Warren alone in entertaining these views. Samuel 
Adams had long seen the result of this misunderstanding, and 
in writing to Arthur Lee, our agent at London, on the 14th of 
February, 1775, he says : "Our safety depends upon our being 



EFFECTS OF THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 241 

in readiness for the extreme event. Of this the people here arc 
thoroughly sensible ; and from the preparations they are making, 
I trust in God that they will defend their liberties with dignity." 
This ardent patriot was so devoted to liberty, that he said in the 
fullness of his heart, " I would advise persisting in our struggle 
for liberty, though it were revealed from heaven, that nine hun- 
dred and ninety-nine were to perish, and only one of a thousand 
survive and retain his liberty. One such freeman must possess 
more virtue, and enjoy more happiness than a thousand slaves ; 
and let him propagate his like and transmit to them Avhat he had 
so nobly preserved." With such views and feelings, it is no 
wonder that Samuel Adams could exclaim on the morning of the 
19th of April, 1775, on hearing the discharge of British muskets, 
" What a glorious morning is this for America ! " 

Joseph Hawley, of Northampton, the leading patriot in the 
Western part of the State, in the summer of 1774, wrote — " We 
must fight ; we must fight, if we cannot otherwise rid ourselves 
of British taxation. Fight w^e must finally, unless Britain re- 
treats." When Patrick Henry read the prophetic words of 
Hawley, "We must fight," calling God to witness, he exclaimed, 
"I am of that man's mind." 

Public bodies of men as well as individuals gave unmistakable 
evidence that they foresaw the result. The IMiddlesex Conven- 
tion, as we have already seen, as early as August, 1774, declared 
in sentiment that God and the world would justify resistance, and 
he could not die too soon who laid down his life for his country. 
The first Provincial Congress of Massachusetts did more than 
express an opinion that public resistance would be made to the 
king's troops. They took the most decisive measures in their 
power to be prepared for that event. They provided arms and 
military stores, recommended the organizing and training of the 
militia — measures which looked directly to a resistance of the 
Acts of Parliament, and a conflict with the king's troops. And 
to give force and efficiency to these measures, they created a 
Committee of Safety, and clothed them with full Executive 
power, giving them express authority to call out the militia and 
minute-men for the defence of life, liberty and property, when- 
ever the case should require it, and elected general officers to 
command the troops that might be called out. 



242 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

Such were the opinions expressed, the resokitions adopted, and 
the measures taken by the people of this Province, long before 
the 19th of April, 1775. It was not the battle of Lexington 
that gave rise to the Revolution. The real causes were deeper 
and more remote than the marching of the king's troops from 
Boston. Nor was the breaking out of the Revolution in any 
proper sense adventitious. It was accidental that it occurred on 
that particular day, and at that particular place, and under those 
particular circumstances. But the oppressive Acts of Parlia- 
ment, and the firm and determined spirit of resistance on the 
part of the colonists, were sure to lead to a collision ; and if it 
had not occurred at that time and place, it would at some other. 
The same spirit which actuated the people of Lexington, filled the 
whole community ; and all who took arms that day only obeyed 
the public voice, and carried into effect what had been resolved 
upon by the Provincial Congi'ess, and by almost every town in 
the Province. When Captain Parker at Lexington, and Major 
Buttrick at Concord, ordered their men "to load their pieces, but 
not to fire, unless they were fired upon," they obeyed the orders 
of the Committee of Safety, just as truly as though that Com- 
mittee had been upon the field, and given the command in person. 
Though the men who appeared in arms on that day acted in 
one sense on their oAvn responsibility, they nevertheless acted in 
obedience to a firmly fixed public sentiment, which surrounded 
every man like the atmosphere, and which exerted a controlling 
influence in every pai't of the Pi'ovince. But those who were the 
first actors in the opening scene of that eventful drama, in all 
probability had influences more direct, and orders more immediate 
than the controlling sentiment above alluded to. Hancock, the 
Chairman of the Committee of Safety, had been stopping some 
days in Lexington. The Provincial Congress of which he was 
President, which had been sitting at Concord, adjourned on the 
15th ; the Committee of Safety, were in session at Concord on 
the 17th, and he returned to Lexington, as was his custom, the 
same evening, where he was in consultation with that ardent 
j^atriot Rev. Jonas Clarke, and with Samuel Adams, who was 
also stopping at Mr. Clai-ke's house. They were there during 
the 18th ; and in consequence of the fact that several British 
officers has passed up the road towards Concord late in the 



EFFECTS OF THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 243 

afternoon, apprehension was felt for the safety of Hancock 
and Adams, whose arrest had been pubhcly rumored. Fearinn- 
that these officers intended to retui-n late at night, and seize 
Hancock and Adams, Captain Parker detailed a portion of his 
company to guard Mr. Clarke's house, where they were lodTinir. 
The movement of the British troops from Boston was communi- 
cated to Hancock and Adams by messengers sent by Dr. Warren, 
M^ho arrived at Lexington at twelve o'clock at night ; whereupon 
Captain Parker called his company together. About two o'clock 
they met and the roll was called on the Common, within hailinr»- 
distance of Hancock's lodgings. 

Under these circumstances it is morally certain that Captain 
Parker came into direct contact with Hancock, and unquestion- 
ably took his advice or orders, as to the course he should pursue. 
This is the more obvious from the well established fact that at 
first Hancock resolved to join the company, and it was not until 
after much persuasion from ]\Ir. Adams that he desisted. In 
matters of detail the gallant Parker acted on his own respon- 
sibility, but on the subject of general policy, he must have known 
the wishes, designs, and as it were the orders of the Committee 
of Safety, which was the only commander-in-chief then recog- 
nized by the military. 

The same is undoubtedly true of the operations at Concord. 
Colonel Barrett was a member of the Provincial Congress which 
had been in session at Concord as late as the 15th, and must 
have known perfectly the policy of that body : and the Com- 
mittee of Safety on the 17th, voted that Colonel Barrett be 
desired to raise a company of artillery. The communication of 
this vote, and the precautions taken to secure the military stores 
intrusted to Colonel Barrett, would bring him into close connec- 
tion with the Committee of Safety ; and hence his course would 
be guided by the policy they had adopted. The acts of that day, 
which have often been regarded as the result of mere accident, 
M^ere in fact the carrying out of a policy dictated and enjoined 
by the only commander-in-chief known and recognized by the 
people. 

The history of the world does not present a more grand and 
imposing spectacle than that of the rising of the people on the 
19th of April, 1775. It was not a restless population, gathered 



244 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

by blind impulse, without a definite motive or design ; not a 
hired soldiery, organized by some bold and daring leader, to 
avenge some personal wrong, or to embark in some mad scheme 
of conquest, in which the perils they bore would be repaid by 
plunder ; nor was it a people goaded to desperation, or reduced 
to the last stages of despair by the iron heel of despotism, making 
their last mighty effort to throw off the yoke they could no longer 
endure ; but it was a cool, voluntary rising of a sedate and orderly, 
an intelligent and conscientious people who knew their rights and 
" knowing, dared maintain them" — a people bred to the right of 
private judgment, and the equality of men ; and who, seeing in 
their religious creed the great principles of civil, as well as relig- 
ious liberty, were determined to defend them whenever invaded, 
or whoever might be the aggressor. It was the spontaneous 
rising of a people who felt that they were set for the defence of 
American liberty, and were I'eady to offer their bodies a living 
sacrifice in the cause. They realized that they were acting, not 
for themselves alone, but for those who should come after them, 
and that they should be false to their great mission, if they should 
tamely surrender rights which God in his providence held out to 
them and their posterity. They knew that the promptings of 
their own hearts were in perfect accordance with the sentiments 
of the Provincial Congress, and that the only acknowledged 
Executive would approve their acts. 

They had no thirst for military glory ; nor did they rally under 
any invincible chieftain whose presence inspired courage, and 
whose previous success gave assurance of victory. Neither could 
they rely on that perfection of discipline, and those improvements 
in the implements of war which insure success on the ensanguined 
field. In all these respects, they knew that the advantage was 
greatly on the side of the oppressor. But their faith in the 
righteousness of their cause nerved their arms, and their trust in 
the Lord of hosts gave them confidence. They felt that they 
had a solemn duty to perform, and they must do it — a sacred 
trust to keep, and they must be faithful, whatever might be the 
immediate consequences. 

The tidings of the battle of Lexington spread with great 
rapidity, and brought upon the ground troops from the distance 
of twenty miles. Others much more remote left their homes on 



EFFECTS OF THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 245 

the receipt of tlie news and marched towards the scene of action. 
A considerable force was assembled at Cambridge, Charlestown, 
and other places in the immediate vicinity of Boston, on the 
evening of that day. General Heath, who joined the Americans 
at Lexington, took command of the troops, and continued the 
superior officer till the afternoon of the 20tli, when he was super- 
seded by General Ward. "At the first council of war on the 
20th," says Frothingham, "there were present Generals Ward, 
Heath and Thomas ; Colonels Bridge, Frye, James Prescott, 
William Prescott, Bullard and Barrett ; and Lieutenant-Colonels 
Spaulding, Nixon, Whitney, INIansfield and Wheelock." They 
wei*e soon joined by General Putnam, and Colonel Stark. 

Expresses w^ere sent forth in every direction, and considering 
the state of the roads at that day, it is remarkable that intelli- 
gence could have reached distant places in so short a time ; 
especially as there could have been no arrangement beforehand. 
The intelligence reached Newburyport at 12, M., on the 19th, 
and Portsmouth, N. H., early on the morning of the 20th. 
The tidings of Lexington Battle reached Worcester before noon 
on the 19th; Newport, R. L, on the 20th; Fairfield, Conn., at 
8 o'clock, A. M., on the 2 2d ; New York at 12, M., on the 23d ; 
Philadelphia at 12, M., on the 26th; Baltimore at 10, A.M., 
on the 27th; Frederick, Va., at 4, P. M., on the 30th-; Beau- 
fort, N. C, on the 6th of May; Wilmington on the 8th, and 
Savannah, Ga., on the 10th. 

The cautious and prudent policy pursued by the patriots of 
Massachusetts, had in a good degree enlisted the sympathy of the 
other Colonies ; so that on hearing of the outrage at Lexington, 
they were prepared at once to embark in her cause. New 
Hampshire, Connecticut and Phode Island, already trained in 
the school of Adams and Hancock, rushed to arms on hearing of 
the attack of the king's troops, and under their respective com- 
manders appeared in the vicinity of Boston, ready to encounter 
the common enemy, if he attempted another excursion into the 
country. Other and more distant Colonies which had hesitated 
before, responded to the calls of patriotism. Tiie blood spilt at 
Lexington and Concord, like that of the righteous Abel, cried 
from the ground for redress. 

New York, which had been held back by her Assembly, which 



246 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

had as late as February, 1775, refused to elect delegates to the 
General Congress, was aroused by the slaughter of her country- 
men ; and the people, rising superior to the Royal Assembly, 
pledged themselves to the cause of freedom. New Jersey, whose 
position had been rather doubtful , was now Avilling to risk life and 
fortune in support of Massachusetts, and to abide the decision 
of the Continental Congress. Pennsylvania, whose distracted 
councils had been a subject of great anxiety to the friends of 
liberty throughout the Colonies, caught the fire, and though a 
portion of her people clung to the delusive hope of a reconcilia- 
tion with Great Britain, the voice of her patriots was distinct 
for resistance, and thousands agreed "to associate together for 
the purpose of defending with arms their lives, property and 
liberty." Little Delaware was not behind the larger Colonies in 
her devotion to freedom. Maryland felt the impulse, but leaned 
a little to the side of reconciliation in the first instance. 

The cry from Lexington met a hearty response from the Old 
Dominion ; and the patriotic ardor of Patrick Ilenr}^, and the 
cool dispassion of James Madison, regarded the blow struck in 
Massachusetts, as a hostile attack upon every Colony, and a 
sufficient cause for reprisals. To these sentiments the people of 
Virginia gave their cordial assent. 

Nor did the Colonies more remote feel indifferent to the events 
which had occurred. On the very night after receiving the news, 
the patriots of Charleston, South Carolina, took possession of the 
royal arsenal, and distributed twelve hundred stands of arms that 
the citizens might be in a condition to defend their rights. The 
Provincial Congress of that gallant State, adopted measures pre- 
paratory to the contest, and declared themselves " ready to sacri- 
fice their lives and fortunes to secure their freedom and safety." 
Such was the zeal and enthusiasm of the people of that Colony 
that General Gage declared, "that the people of Charleston 
were as mad as they are here in Boston." 

The infant Colony of Georgia was not behind her sister 
Colonies. On the receipt of the intelligence of the attack of 
the king's troops, the gallant people of Savannah broke open the 
royal magazine and appropriated to their own use over five 
hundred pounds of powder. And though the people of that 
Colony were few in numbers, and were surrounded by powerful 



EFFECTS OF THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 247 

tribes of hostile savages, they sent supplies to Boston in token of 
their approbation of their gallantry and patriotism in standing 
firm in defence of the rights of the Colonies. 

Thus did the battle of Lexington awaken the sympathy of the 
Colonists, and in a good degree unite them in one common cause. 
Thousands who had been fondly brooding over the delusive idea 
of a reconciliation, now saw that entreaty was fruitless, and that 
they must submit unconditionally or vindicate their rights by the 
sword. And though the timid feared and the prudent hesitated ; 
though the men in power clung to the places which gave them 
their living, and those who aspired at place were unwilling to 
impair their prospects of preferment, the leading patriots of the 
country, and the great mass of the people, were ready for the last 
appeal, and saw safety only in a triumph in the field. 

Not only did the cities and the large towns manifest their indig- 
nation at the barbarity of the British troops, but the people in 
the rural districts where the love of liberty is always strong, vied 
with the more popidous places, in showing their readiness to 
peril all in freedom's sacred cause. Wherever the fact of open 
resistance was known, the people showed that they were ready to 
flock to the standard of freedom, and prosper or perish in her 
cause. Not only in the log-huts beyond the mountains, but 
farther in the Avilderness, where no huts had been erected, did 
the echoes of freedom resound. The hardy hunters of Kentucky, 
wandering in the beautiful valley of the Elkhorn, on the recep- 
tion of the news, celebrated the victory, and in honor of the 
birthplace of American liberty, gave to the place of their encamp- 
ment the name of Lexington — a name which it bears to the 
present day. 

Nor did the thrilling appeal die on their shores. The sound 
crossed the Atlantic ; and while the deluded Ministry were 
dreaming over the subjugation of the rebellious Province of 
Massachusetts Bay, they were startled from their slumbers by 
intelligence that His Majesty's veteran troops in America had 
been baffled, routed, and driven like sheep by the undisciplined 
rebels, whom they had been taught to regard as braggarts, and 
despise as cowards. 

The patriots of INLassachusetts deemed it important to obtain 
a reliable account of the events of the 19th of April ; accordingly 
32 



248 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

on the 22d of April, the Provincial Congress, being in session at 
Watertown, " Ordered that Mr. Gerry, Colonel Cushing, Colonel 
Barrett, Captain Stone, Dr. Taylor, Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Freeman, 
]VIr. Watson, and Esquire Dix, be a Committee to take deposi- 
tions in perpetuam, from which a full account of the transac- 
tions of the troops, under General Gage, in their route to and 
from Concord, &c., on Wednesday last, may be collected, to be 
sent to England by the first ship from Salem." On the day fol- 
lowing. Dr. Church, JSIr. Gerry and Mr. Cushing, were ap- 
pointed a Committee "to draw up a narrative of the Massacre." 
The Committee on depositions held sessions the 23d and 25th of 
April, at Concord and Lexington, and took a large number of 
affidavits. On the day following, the President, Dr. Taylor, Mr. 
Freeman, Mr. H. Gardner and Colonel Stone, were appointed 
to prepare a letter to our agent in London, Dr. Franklin. The 
Committee reported the same day the draught of a letter, urging 
our agent in England to cause the depositions and the Address 
to the inhabitants of Great Britain, giving an account of the 
events of the 19th of April, "to be immediately printed and dis- 
persed tlirough every town in England, and especially to be 
communicated to the Lord Mayor, Aldermen and Council of the 
City of London, that they may take such order thereon as they 
may tliink proper." 

In the Address to the inhabitants of Great Britain, after giving 
a brief account of the march of the king's troops, they say : 

"To give a particular account of the ravages of the troops, as they 
retreated from Concord to Charlestown, would be very difficult, if not 
impracticable. Let it suffice to say, that a great number of houses on the 
road v/ere plundered and rendered unfit for use ; several were burnt ; 
women, in childbed, were driven by the soldiery, naked into the streets ; 
old men peaceably in their houses, were shot dead, and such scenes exhib- 
ited as would disgrace the annals of the uncivilized nations. 

"These, brethren, are the marks of Ministerial vengeance against this 
Colony, for refusing, with her sister Colonies, submission to slavery ; but 
they have not detached us from our royal sovereign. We profess to be his 
loyal and dutiful subjects, and so hardly dealt with as we have been, are 
still ready with our lives and fortunes to defend his person, family, crown 
and dignity.' Nevertheless to the persecution and tyranny of his cruel 

1 It may appear singular that they should express such devotion to the crown, 
while they express their abhorrence of slavery, and determination to be free. 
This is explained partly by the popular language of monarchy, and partly by 



EFFECTS OF THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 249 

Ministry, we will not tamely submit. Appealing to Heaven for the justice 
of our cause, we determine to die or be free." 

The Comraitte of Safety was directed to forward the papers to 
England at the earliest practicable moment. They agreed with 
the Hon. Richard Derby, of Salem, to fit out a vessel as a packet. 
The order to Captain Derby was as follows : 

" In the Committee of Safety, April 27, 1775. Resolved, That Captain 
Derby be directed, and he hereby is directed, to make for Dublin or any 
other good port in Ireland, and from thence to cross to Scotland or Eng- 
land, and hasten to London. This direction is given, that so he may 
escape all enemies that may be in the chops of the channel, to stop the 
communication of the Provincial intelligence to the agent. He will, forth- 
with, deliver his papers to the agent on reaching London. 

"J. Warren, Chairman. 

" P. S. — You are to keep this order a profound secret from every per- 
son on earth." 

Captain Derby with these documents, and with copies of the 
Salem Gazette, which contained an account of the battle, arrived 
in London on the 29th of May. On the day following, the 
Address was printed and circulated, giving the first intelligence 
of the battle of Lexington to the people of Great Britain. The 
Ministry were astounded. They had fondly anticipated that the 
recent measures of Parliament, and the increase of the king's 
troops in Boston, would bring the rebels to submission ; that the 

the general views they had always maintained. The popular language of mon- 
archy is, that the king can do no wrong. If a wrong is done, it is charged upon 
the Ministry ; and the king by changing his ministers, removed the evil. Our 
fathers from courtsey and from policy, in addressing the inhabitants of Great 
Britain, would adopt the respectful language of the empire. 

They would also be inclined to employ this courtly language, from the views 
they had from the first maintained. Their theory had always been, that they 
held their charter by a grant from the crown ; and that to the crown alone they 
owed allegiance. From the very first, they denied the power of Parliament. 
Their argument was, that Parliament has power over, or rather can legislate for 
its constituents ; but that the American Colonies, not being represented in Par- 
liament, were never subject to its laws. So that in their Address to the people 
of England, they but carried out the previous doctrine, that they owed alle- 
giance to the crown, while they denied the power of Parliament, and detested 
the oppression of the Ministry. This view of the subject casts light upon the 
Declaration of Independence, which is a renunciation of allegiance, not to Par- 
liament, which they never admitted, but to the king whose authority they had 
allowed. 



250 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

first display of the royal regiments in arms would frighten the 
"rude rabble" in Massachusetts, and put to flight all the undis- 
ciplined stragglers they could bring into the field. What then 
must have been their astonishment, what their mortification, on 
hearing that the veteran troops of England had been put to an 
inglorious flight, by the sudden rising of the country people 
without leaders ; and that the army in which they had reposed 
so much confidence, and which was to awe America into submis- 
sion, had been driven to their entrenchments, and were closely 
besieged in the limited peninsula of Boston ! The eflTect pro- 
duced by the intelligence is thus described in a letter from 
London, dated June 1, 1775 : "This great city was agitated to 
its centre. The friends of America rejoiced at the noble victory 
of the Bostonians, and its enemies were abashed at their courage. 
The news flew rapidly, and soon caught the ear of the unwise 
and deluded king. The Administration were alarmed at the 
unexpected success of the Provincials, and were at a loss what 
lies to fabricate, which would destroy the force of the gratifica- 
tions which accompanied the intelligence. Kunners were sent 
to every part of the city, who were authorized to deny the 
authenticity of the facts ; and so distressed was the Government 
that they oflficially requested a suspension of belief, until dis- 
patches were received from General Gage." 

Having no intelligence from General Gage, the Ministry 
issued the following card : 

" Secretary of State's Office, Whitehall, May 30, 1775. 

" A report having been spread, and an account having been printed and 
published of a skirmish between some of the people in the Province of 
Massachusetts Bay, and a detachment of His Majesty's troops, it is proper 
to inform the public that no advices have as yet been received in the Amer- 
ican department of any such event. 

" There is reason to believe that there are dispatches from General Gage 
on board the Sukey, Captain Brown, which, though she sailed four days 
before the vessel that brought the printed account, is not yet arrived." 

On the appearance of this card Arthur Lee immediately 
issued the following note : 

" To the Public. 
" As a doubt of the authenticity of the account from Salem, touching an 
engagement between the king's troops and the Provincials in Massachusetts 



EFFECTS OF THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 251 

Bay, may arise from a paragraph in the Gazette of this evening, I desire 
to inform all those who wish to see the original affidavits which confirm 
that account, that they are deposited at the Mansion House with the Right 
Honorable Lord Mayor for their inspection. 

*• Arthur Lee, 
"Agent for the House of Representatives of Massachusetts Bay." 

General Gage's dispatches arrived in London on the 10th of 
June, which, instead of alLaying rather increased the excitement. 
For tliouah his account differed from the Amei'ican account as to 
the commencement of hostiHties, in all other respects the two 
accounts substantially agreed. He virtually admitted that the 
expedition was a failure, and that the flower of his army, con- 
sisting of nearly two thousand men, had been harrassed, and 
actually driven fifteen miles with a loss of nearly three hundred 
in killed, wounded, and missing. 

The account of the Ministry covering General Gage's dispatch 
was severely criticized in Great Britain. One writer says : "When 
the news of the massacre first arrived, the pensioned writer of 
the Gazette entreated the public ' to suspend their judgment, as 
the Government had received no tidings of the matter.' The 
public have suspended their judgment, and the humane part of 
mankind have wished that the fatal tale related by Captain Derby, 
might prove altogether fictitious. To the great grief of every 
thinking man, this is not the case. We are now in possession of 
both accounts." After compai-ing them and showing that they 
agree in all important particulars, the writer adds : "The public 
have but to ponder on the melancholy truths thus attested by the 
Government. The sword of civil war is drawn, and if there is 
truth in heaven, the king's troops unsheathed it. Will the 
English nation much longer suffer their fellow subjects to be 
slaughtered ? It is a shameful fallacy to talk of the supremacy 
of Parliament. It is the despotism of the crown, and the slavery 
of the people, which the INIinistry aim at. For refusing these 
attempts, and for that only, the Americans have been inhumanly 
murdered by the king's troops. Englishmen, weigh these things 
with deliberation ; make the case your own. If the massacre of 
brethren will not make you open your eyes, they deserve to be 
forever shut against your welfare." 



252 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

Another writer, alluding to the British account of the affair 
after Percy had joined Smith, says : 

*' The Gazette tells us dryly that ' the rebels were for a time dispersed.' 
They were so dispersed, however, that as soon as the troops resumed their 
march (not their flight), they began again to fire upon them, and continued 
it during the whole fifteen miles' march, ' by which means several hundred 
were killed and wounded.' If this was not a flight, and if Percy's activity 
was not in running away, I should be glad to know where were the flanking 
parties of this array on its march, with all this light infantry ? Would any 
commanding ofiicer suffer such an enemy to continue killing and wounding 
his troops from stone walls and houses, if it was not a defeat and flight ? 
I think that when the military lend themselves to fight against the freedom 
of their fellow subjects, they deserve to be both disgraced and defeated. 

" Take then the whole of this account as it stands, and to what does it 
amount, but that General Gage's army, having marched out of Boston in 
the night, was attacked by the militia, hastily assembled without a leader, 
and was driven back with the loss of sixty-five killed and one hundred and 
eighty wounded, and twenty-eight taken prisoners — making in all two 
hundred and seventy-three. In fact, this superiority does not arise from 
any difference between the English and the Americans, but from the one 
contending in the cause of tyranny, and the other in that of liberty. It 
has never entered into the hearts of these wretched Ministers and their 
tools, to feel or conceive the enthusiasm and valor which so good and noble 
a cause inspires." 

There was, at the opening of the Revolution, a large class In 
Great Britain whose sympathies were In favor of America. 
Even the king's own brother, the weak but amiable Duke of 
Gloucester, is said to have had strong feelings In favor of the 
Colonies. Soon after the news of the collision at Lexington 
reached England, he took a tour in France ; and at a public 
dinner, given in honor of the Duke, there was present a young 
Frenchman, not then eighteen years of age ; he listened with 
avidity to the story of the uprising of the people of New Eng- 
land. And from that time America had a true friend in the 
person of Lafayette.^ 

Several officers In the British army declined serving against 
their American brethren and threw up their commissions. Lord 
North, who at that day was here regarded as the implacable foe 
of America, but who was in fact averse to many of the measures 
of Parliament, on the breaking out of hostilities desired to retire 
from the Ministry ; but the king would neither accept his resigna- 

* Bancroft. 



EFFECTS OF THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 253 

tlon, nor relent towards America. The French Minister at the 
Court of England, who looked with peculiar interest into the 
affairs of the Colonies, wrote to his own Court : "The Americans 
display in their conduct, and even in their errors, more thought 
than enthusiasm, for they have shown in succession that they 
know how to argue, to negotiate, and to fight. All England is 
in a position from which she never can extricate herself. Either 
all rules are false, or the Americans will never again consent to 
become her subjects." 

On the 24th of June, the citizens of London voted an Address 
to the king, desiring him to consider the situation of his subjects 
in England, "who had nothing to expect from America but 
gazettes of blood, and mutual lists of slaughtered fellow-sub- 
jects." And they prayed for a dissolution of Parliament, and a 
dismission forever of the present Ministry. 

The society for Constitutional Information raised one hundred 
pounds, "to be applied to the relief of the widows, orphans, and 
aged parents of our beloved American fellow-subjects, who faith- 
ful to the character of Englishmen, prefering death to slavery, 
were for that reason only, inhumanly murdered by the king's 
troops at Lexington and Concord." 

Thus did the events of the 19th of April, 1775, excite a thril- 
ling interest on both sides of the Atlantic. In America they 
aroused the patriotism of every Colony, and united them in the 
great cause of human freedom. And in Europe the effect was 
equally great. It brought matters to an issue in the British 
Parliament, and taught the stupid and obstinate king and his 
lordly flatterers, that neither Acts of Parliament, nor Orders in 
Council, nor Edicts from the Throne, could compel the submis- 
sion of the colonists to the arbitrary acts of the INIinistry. 
They saw that their only hope of success lay in the sword, which 
they had already drawn ; and while they had the madness to 
believe that they should be able to subdue their Colonies, their 
formidable and sagacious rival, France, plainly saw that inde- 
pendence was the ultimate portion of the oppressed Colonies in 
America, 



CHAPTER IX. 

FROM THE COMMENCEMENT TO THE CLOSE OF THE 
REVOLUTION. 

Captain Parker's Company called to Cambridge, on the 6th of May and the 
17th of June — Quota of Men furnished by Lexington — Prices of Labor 
and Other Articles — Confederation — Attempts to form a State Constitu- 
tion — Objections to the First Constitution — Ratified the Second Constitution 
with Proposed Amendments — Depreciation of the Currency — Efforts to 
raise the Quota of Men for the Army — Instructions of Representative 
relative to the Return of the Tories — People devoted to Law and Order. 

The events of the 19th of April, 1775, had spread a gloom 
over the town of Lexington. The loss of ten of her citizens on 
that eventful day, and the fact that ten more were wounded, 
some of them severely, brought the horrors of war to their own 
doors. But their patriotism did not falter. They were not only 
willing to bear their own grief, but to do what they could to 
relieve the poor of Boston and Charlestown, who were driven 
from their homes into the adjacent country. Consequently a 
committee was chosen to assist the Selectmen " in taking care of 
the poor or suffering people that may come from the towns of 
Charlestown and Boston to this place." Nor was the gallant 
company of Captain Parker, which had suffered so severely on 
the 19th of April, to be driven from the field by the losses they 
had experienced, or by any new dangers which should arise. 

On the Gth of May, in consequence of an alarm at Cambridge, 
Captain Parker with a detachment of forty-five of his company, 
repaired to the head-quarters of the army, where they remained 
several days, guarding the lines to prevent any further excursions 
of the king's ti*oops into the country. And on the memorable 
17th of June, of that year, when a portion of our militia wei-e 
engaged with the enemy on Bunker Hill, the gallant Parker with 
sixty-one of his company, responded to freedom's call, and 



TO THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION. 255 

repaired to Cambridge ; but they were deprived of the honor of 
participating in that struggle, by being kept at Cambridge from 
an apprehension that the British might cross the river in their 
boats, and attack the American camp while so many of our troops 
were engaged at Charlestown. 

The fact that this company was so prompt at every call of 
duty, may be accounted for in part from the strict rules and 
regulations they adopted as early as 1773. The following is a 
paper in the handwriting of Edmund Munroe, containing the 
Rules and Regulations of the Lexington company of minute-men, 
under which they acted in 1775, found among the papers of the 
late Edmund Munroe of Boston. 

"We, whose names are hereto subscribed, having agreed to associate 
ourselves together to improve ourselves in the art of Military, do agree 
and bind ourselves to the following rules, viz : 

*' 1. To choose a Captain, Lieutenant and Ensign once a year. 

** 2. To choose Sergeants and a Clerk once a year. 

*' 3. To meet in order for discipline four times a year. 

*' 4. We agree that every one of us absent, when the Roll is called, 
being duly warned, shall pay a fine of eight pence, unless a good excuse 
can be given to the satisfaction of the Company for his absence. 

*' 5. That any person of the Company that shall interrupt the Captain 
or Commanding Officer, while under arms, by talking, laughing or any inde- 
cent behavior, shall pay a fine of three shillings. 

" 6. That if any person of the Company shall interrupt the clerk, when 
calling the Roll, or not answering when they are called, shall pay a fine of 
two shillings. 

" 7. That none shall enlist into said Company, if under age, without the 
consent of their parents or master. 

"8. That if any refuse to pay a fine, when properly demanded, they 
shall be dismissed from the Company, forthwith. 

" 9. That any person desiring to be admitted into said Company, or 
dismissed therefrom, shall have a vote of the Company for the same. 

" 10. That all fines recovered of delinquents shall be applied to the sole 
use of the Company — paying the Clerk a reasonable sum for collecting 
the same. 

" 11. That the Captain, failing of his duty in not calling the Company 
together four times a year, and disciplining them three hours at each meet- 
ing, shall pay a fine of foursliillings, unless he can give a reasonable excuse 
for the same to the satisfaction of the Company." 

Such sound and wholesome rules, voluntarily adopted in times 
of peace, would hardly fail to make prompt and efficient soldiers 
in time of war. 

33 



256 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

During the winter of 1775 — 6, the town of Lexington, in 
response to a call from the Provincial Congress, furnished a 
large supply of wood and a quantity of hay for the army stationed 
at Winter Hill. 

At a meeting of the inhabitants of Lexington, held March 18, 
1776, the following pei'sons were chosen a Committee of Cor- 
respondence and Safety, agreeably to a Resolve of the General 
Court : — Deacon Jonas Stone, Captain John Bridge, Lieutenant 
Edmund iSIunroe, Lieutenant Joseph Simonds, and Lieutenant 
Francis Bowman. 

At a meeting, called for the purpose. May 23, 1776, it was 
" Voted, That if Congress should, for the safety of these Colo- 
nies, proclaim them independent of Great Bi'itain, we stand 
ready with our lives and fortunes to support them in that 
measure." By pledges like these, coming from almost every 
town and Colony, Congress was emboldened to put forth that 
immortal Declaration which marks an era in our history. 

Lexington having pledged herself to devote life and fortune to 
the cause of Lidependence, met the numerous calls made upon 
lier with fidelity. In the first campaign of 8-montlis' men in 1775, 
she furnished 20 men ; in the second campaign of the 12-months* 
men, she furnished 19 men ; in the campaign to Ticonderoga in 
1776, she funiished 28 men ; to AYhite Plains the same year, 13 
men, and to the Jerseys, 21 men. In the following year she 
sent 22 men ; besides these she furnished her full quota to the 
Continental army in the first instance, and among those who 
enlisted in 1780, for three years or during the Avar, Lexington 
furnished about 30. We have in this place passed over those who 
served from two to six months at Cambridge, and Dorchester, 
and Providence, because these will be treated of more fully in 
another chapter. 

In July, 1776, the town voted the sum of £1 6s. 8d. as an 

■additional bounty to every non-commissioned oflScer and private, 

who should enlist from the town in the expedition to Canada. 

In the unsettled state of things at the commencement of the 
Kevolution, it was all-important that public sentiment should be 
known, and that those who were intrusted with the management 
of public aflfairs, should have some assurance that the people would 
stand by and sustain them in tlie bold measures which the crisis 



TO THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION. 257 

seemed to demand. Being sensible that our public men, whose 
position Avould expose them to the vengeance of Great Britain in 
case of the failure of our cause, took upon themselves a vast 
responsibility, the people in every part of the Province were will- 
ing to encourage their rulers, and assured them in advance that 
they would share with them the labors and the dangers involved 
in the contest. By putting their names to solemn instru- 
ments, by covenanting with each other in a public manner, that 
they would resist the measures and the military forces of the 
common enemy of the Colonies and share the common fate of 
their brethren, a few patriotic citizens could do much to encour- 
age their rulers, and to confirm the wavering in their own neigh- 
borhood. The sturdy inhabitants of Lexington were willing to 
put their names to such an instrument, though it might prove 
their death-warrant. 

The following instrument, signed by some of the leading citi- 
zens, declaring "before God and the world," that they would be 
true to the cause of liberty, and to each other, does honor to the 
character and patriotism of our fathers, and may be regarded as 
their Declaration of Independence. The instrument was found 
among the papers of Captain Edmund Munroe, who fell at Mon- 
mouth in 1778. The spirit of the document and the original 
signatures of so many of Lexington's patriotic sons, render it 
worthy of preservation ; — we give, as a curiosity, a fac-simile of 
their signatures. 

" Colony of Massachusetts Bay, 1776. 
"We, the subscribers, do each of us severally for ourselves, profess, 
testify and declare before God and the world, that we verily believe that 
the war, resistance and opposition in which the United American Colonies 
are now engaged against the fleets and armies of Great Britain, is, on the 
part of the said Colonies, just and necessary. And we do hereby severally 
promise, covenant, and engage to and with every person of this Colony, 
who has or shall subscribe this declaration, or another of the same tenor 
and words, that we will not, during the said war, directly or indirectly, in 
any ways, aid, abet, or assist any of the naval or land forces of the king 
of Great Britain, or any employed by him, or supply them with any kind of 
provisions, military or naval stores, or hold any correspondence with, or 
communicate any intelligence to any of the officers, soldiers or marines 
belonging to the said army or navy, or enlist or procure any others to enlist 
into the land or sea service of Great Britain, or take up or bear arms 
against this or either of the United Colonies, or undertake to pilot any of 



258 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

the vessels belonging to the said navj', or in any other way aid or assist 
them. But, on the contrary, according to our best power and abilities, 
will defend by arms the United American Colonies, and every part thereof, 
against every hostile attempt of the fleets and armies in the service of 
Great Britain, or any of them, according to the requirements and direc- 
tions of the laws of this Colony, that now are, or may hereafter be pro- 
vided for the regulation of the militia thereof. 

But while the Colony of Massachusetts Bay was actively 
engaged in the war of the Revolution, and was shedding her 
blood freely on almost every battle-field in the country, she felt, 
in a serious manner, the want of a more efficient Government ; 



TO THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION." 259 

and hence the General Court submitted to the towns the question, 
whether they should be empowered to form a Constitution of 
Government. When this subject was brought before the inhab- 
itants of Lexington, they chose a committee, who, at an adjourned 
meeting, held October 21, 1776, submitted the following able 
and patriotic report, which was adopted unanimously : 

*' That always desirous of being impressed with the fullest sentiments of 
the wisdom, integrity and fidelity of so respectable a body as the Honor- 
able House of Representatives of the State in the high department assigned 
them by their constituents, it is with the most peculiar anxiety, we feel 
ourselves obliged in faithfulness to ourselves and posterity, to withhold a 
cheerful compliance with any resolve or proposal of theirs, as we are con- 
strained to do upon the question before us, by the following considerations, 
which to us, at least, appear interesting and important. 

"1. It appears to us that as all government originates from the people ; 
and the great end of government is their peace, safety and happiness ; so 
it is with the people at large, or where that is im2)racticable, by their 
Representatives freely and equally elected and empowered for that purpose, 
to form and agree on a Constitution of government, which being considered 
and approved by the body of the people, may be enacted, ratified and 
established. 

" 2. That the present House of Representatives were not elected for the 
purpose of agreeing upon, and enacting a Constitution of government for 
this State ; neither had their constituents the least intimation of anything 
of this kind in the precepts upon which they were elected ; and therefore, 
their proposing themselves to the people, and asking their consent as constit- 
uents for this service, appears to us to be a clog to that freedom of election, 
which ought always to be exercised by a free people in matters of this 
importance, more especially in an affair of such lasting concernment as 
this. 

" 3. That no provision is made in the Resolve for those towns which 
have not chosen so many Representatives as they have a right to send, to 
choose others to complete their number upon this important occasion ; by 
which it may happen, not through the neglect of the people, but for want 
of opportunity, the representation may be unequal. 

•' 4. That in case we do not see our way clear to consent as proposed 
in the question before us, it does not appear that any provision is made in 
the Resolve for our having any voice at all in the matter, as our Represen- 
tative will not be considered as empowered by his constituents for this 
purpose. 

"5. That it is greatly to be feared, if the proposal in the Resolve is 
complied with by the people of this State, upon this most important occa- 
sion, it will be pleaded as an established precedent in all future time, for the 
decency and propriety of persons offering themselves candidates for the 
election of the people to offices of trust and importance — a practice which 



260 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

hath always been held by the judicious and virtuous, as dangerous to the 
liberties of the people, and a practice by which corrupt and designing men 
in every age have too often availed themselves of places of power and 
authority, to the great disadvantage of those who elected them, if not to 
the gross violation of their most sacred rights. 

*' 6, Lastly, that though the Resolves give us to expect a publication 
of the proposed form of government for the perusal of the inhabitants, 
before the ratification of the same ; yet it does not appear clear from thence 
that there is any just provision made for the inhabitants as towns, to express 
their approbation or the contrary, in order to such ratification. 

"For these obvious reasons therefore, we cannot see our way clear to 
comply with the proposal of the Honorable House of Representatives in 
the question before us. 

" Voted and Resolved, That as our former Constitution (the Charter) is at 
an end, and a new Constitution of government, as soon as may be, is 
absolutely necessary, if not to the being, yet to the well-being of the State, 
and as the present General Court are considered as the eyes of the people, 
and the guardians as well as watchmen of the State ; it be most earnestly 
recommended to our worthy Representative, and he hereby is instructed to 
use his utmost endeavors and influence, that, either by precepts for a new 
assembly, empowered for this purpose, or by special notification for the 
choice of persons for the express purpose of forming a new Constitution, 
or in any other way which their wisdom may direct, consistent with the 
liberties of the people, measures may be taken to give the people an oppor- 
tunity to carry this matter into effect ; and as soon as may be consistent 
with the exigency of the public affairs, freely to give their votes for such 
persons as they judge will best serve the public, themselves, and posterity, 
in the commencement of a work of so great importance to the present and 
all succeeding generations." 

No one can read this document without seeing the patriotism 
and prudence of the writer and those who adopted this report. 
They were patriots, jealous of their rights, and determined to 
guard them, not only against the encroachments of a foreign foe, 
but also against all ambitious and designing men, that might 
spring up among themselves. The patriot priest was too well 
versed in the history of the past to suffer any dangerous practice 
to grow into precedent, and thereby jeopard in any degree the 
rights and liberties of the people. 

In March, 1777, when the duties imposed upon these officers 
were arduous and responsible, in consequence of the peculiar 
situation of affairs, Daniel Harrington, Josiah Smith, Thomas 
Parker, Joshua Reed, and Philip Russell, were chosen Select- 
men, and Dea. Benj. Brown, John Parkhurst, Captain Francis 



TO THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION. 261 

Brown, Daniel Harrington and Amos INIuzzy were chosen Com- 
mittee of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety. 

At tlie same meeting a Committee was chosen " to compnte 
the cost of a suitable and decent Monument to set over the grave 
of our brethren in this town Avho fell the first victims to British 
Tyranny on the morning of the 19th of April, 1775, and to 
make a Report at May jMeeting." 

During the year 1777, tlie attention of the town was directed 
to the subject of raising its quotas of men for the different cam- 
paigns, and especially to the cost of the campaigns, and also to 
what was more difficult than raising men, viz., providing means 
to pay them. They also chose Deacon Jonas Stone, llepresen- 
tative, and gave him full power to act in the formation of a State 
Constitution. 

The Continental Congress, having formed Articles for the 
Confederation of the States, submitted them to the States, and 
the States to the people. At a meeting held January 5, 1778, 
a committee was chosen to consider and report upon the subject. 
At the adjourned meeting, held on the 12th of January, they 
reported that the Representative be instructed to vote for the 
ratification of those Articles ; at the same time they express a 
strong desire that there may be some amendment adopted by 
which alterations may be proposed to them by the people. 

In the midst of the trials and sufferings which naturally fell 
upon the brave and patriotic men who were fighting the battles 
of their country, they had from time to time some testimonials, 
showing that they were not forgotten by their brethren who were 
at home. At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town, March 
10, 1778, they passed the following vote: " That our brethren 
of this town in the Continental army be forthwith supplied, each 
of them, with one good pair of shoes, made of neat's leather, 
one good pair of stockings, and a good shirt made of cotton and 
linen, to be given to them free of charge, and paid for by the 
town." 

We have already seen that an effort was being made to form a 
Constitution of Government, for the safety and well-being of the 
State ; and that the people of Lexington had empowered their 
Representative to act on the subject. A Constitution was 
formed and submitted to the people. In Lexington the subject 



262 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

was referred to a committee of their most prominent citizens, — 
the result of which was to draw from the Rev. Mr. Clarke 
another of his valuable papers on the subject of civil govern- 
ment, which may be read with profit at the present day. 

" The freemen of the Town of Lexington, having upon mature consider- 
ation voted that they do not approve of the Constitution and form of gov- 
ernment, sent out by the late Honorable Convention, cannot look upon it 
as improper to suggest some reasons why they could not cheerfully accept 
of said Constitution and form of government, as calculated to answer the 
important ends proposed. 

" Accordingly, it may be observed that it appears to us that in emerging 
from a state of nature into a state of well-regulated society, mankind 
give up some of their natural rights in order that others of greater 
importance to their well-being, safety and happiness, both as societies 
and individuals, might be the better enjoyed, secured and defended. 
That a civil Constitution or form of government is of the nature of a 
most sacred covenant or contract entered into by the individuals which 
form the society, for which such Constitution or form of government 
is intended, whereby they mutually and solemnly efigage to support and 
defend each other in the enjoyment of those rights which they mean to 
retain. That the main and great end of establishing any Constitution 
or form of government among a people or in society, is to maintain, 
secure and defend those natural rights inviolate. And, consequently, 
that it is of the highest importance, both to the public peace and utility, 
and to the safety and security of individuals, that said rights intended 
to be retained, at least those that are fundamental to the well-being of 
society and the liberty and safety of individuals, should be in the most 
explicit terms declared. And that not only that Government and persons 
in authority might know their stated limits and bounds, but also that sub- 
jects and all members of such society might know when their rights and 
liberties are infringed or violated, and have some known and established 
standard, to which they might, with becoming confidence, appeal for the 
redress of grievances and oppressions, whether real or supposed ; and we 
most readily acknowledge that the total omission of a Declaration of Rights 
of this kind, is no small objection to the Constitution before us. 

*' Next to a Declaration of Rights, it is humbly conceived that equality 
of representation is of the greatest importance to the preservation of the 
liberties of the subject, and the peace and safety of society. But we 
cannot think that the provision made in this form of government is ade- 
quate to this purpose. And we are of opinion that it is not without 
ground to be feared that through the imperfections of mankind in some 
future times, small towns may become an easy prey to the corrupt influ- 
ence of designing men to the no small danger of the public tranquillity, as 
well as to the liberties of the people ; as hath been frequently, and notori- 
ously the fact in England and many other states. 

*• A Rot-ation in the members in the Supreme Council of a nation, and 



TO THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION. 263 

the Legislative Body of a State, even where such are elective, hath been 
frequently suggested and earnestly recommended by the best writers on 
polity and government, and is by practice and experience found to be a 
powerful check to the arts and schemes of ambitious and designing men, 
and as a means under Providence of prolonging the liberty, safety and 
tranquillity of such States and Commonwealths as have adopted it. Of this 
the Commonwealth of Rome was a striking instance, where no citizen 
could be legally elected to the Consulship, which was the office of the 
Supreme Magistrate, but once in ten years. And we could have wished 
that the example of the Honorable Congress in the Articles of Confedera- 
tion had been adopted in this matter; and that no citizen of this State had 
been eligible to the office of Supreme Magistrate, or as a member of the 
General Court, more than two years in five, three years in seven, or at 
least for some limited time. 

*' We have complained of it in times past under the Charter, and still 
look upon it as of dangerous tendency, to have the Legislative and Execu- 
tive powers blended in the same persons. And the wise and judicious in 
all ages have spoken of it as a very great grievance to have in the Supreme 
Council or Legislative body of a State, placemen and pensioners, or 
which amounts to almost the same thing, persons who hold lucrative posts 
in the gift of the Court, or are dependent thereupon for their offices and 
salaries and perquisites annexed thereto. And we cannot persuade our- 
selves that the provision made in this Constitution would be an adequate 
remedy. 

" Canvassing for elections, corrupt influence, and open bribery, have had 
their most baleful effects to the subversion of liberty, and the destruction 
of good government in free States, and that in all ages. And yet we can- 
not find anything in this Constitution to give the least check to practices of 
this kind. 

"We could have wished that the inestimable right of trial by jury had 
been more explicitly defined. 

'* We do not find any sufficient provision for any alteration or amend- 
ment of this Constitution but by the General Court, or by instructions of 
our Representatives. Whereas it appears to us at least, of the highest 
importance that a door should be left open for the people to move in this 
matter, and a way explicitly pointed out, wherein they might legally and 
constitutionally propose such, and effect any such alterations or amend- 
ments, in any future time, as might appear to them advantageous or 
necessary ; and the rather, as this might give satisfaction to ihe people, 
and be a happy means under Providence of preventing popular commo- 
tions, mobs, bloodshed, and civil war, which too frequently have been the 
consequences of the want of such an opening, which they might have 
legally and constitutionally improved. 

" These in general, are a sketch of the reasons that have induced us to 
withhold our approbation of the Constitution and form of government, 
transmitted to us by the late Honorable Convention. 

"Wherefore as the late General Court have explicitly recommended to 
the several towns in this State to instruct their Representatives upon this 
34 



264 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

eubject ; the Representative of this town is accordingly hereby instructed 
and directed to lay the proceedings of said town hereupon, with these 
reasons why this Constitution was not approved, before the General 
Court. And in case the establishment of this Constitution and form of 
government should be acted upon in said General Court, to give his vote 
against it. 

" If this form of Government should not be established, and we have 
some grounds to believe that it will not, and it should be proposed in 
Court to form another, we would say that notwithstanding this town 
instructed and empowered their Representative for this purpose last year, 
and notwithstanding we earnestly hope to have a good Constitution in due 
time established in the State, yet for various reasons which to us at least 
appear of weight, we could wish to have it waived for the present ; not 
only because the form of government we are now under, as it hath done, 
60 it may still answer all purposes of government ; but also because it may 
interrupt the deliberations of the Court upon affairs of more immediate 
concernment to the well being, and perhaps to the very existence of the 
State, which may demand all their time and all their attention ; but espe- 
cially because our brethren absent in the war, and foremost in trials and 
danger in the great contest in which we are engaged, may think themselves 
not well treated in being depi'ived of having a voice in so interesting an 
affair. 

" The Representative of this town is therefore, for these reasons and 
others, hereby further instructed to use his influence to have the matter 
waived at least for the present. But in case the Court should determine 
to have the matter further attempted at present, the Representative is 
further instructed to use his influence that it may be done by a Convention 
freely chosen by the people for that purpose and that only." 

We give these papers in full, because they show the immediate 
relation which at that time existed between the representative 
and his constituents, and because we think that both represen- 
tatives and the people might profit by the just views expressed 
in these instructions, written by a sound divine and practical 
statesman at that day. 

In 1778, the burdens of the war pressed more heavily upon 
the people than they had done before. The depreciation of the 
currency, and the corresponding increase of prices, augmented 
the embarrassment. Besides, soldiers who had served, returned 
home without pay. If the towns paid them, it must greatly 
increase their taxes, and so exhaust their means ; and if they 
neglected to pay those who had served, it would discourage 
enlistments, and so render it difficult for towns to fill their quotas. 
Lexington like all other towns felt this embarrassment. But 



TO THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION. 265 

she resolved to be true to those who had been in the field. 
Accordingly, May, 1778, she appropriated £2,001 145., to pay 
her troops up to that time. But more men were required, and 
in September of that year the town voted, " That the men who 
shall engage to march on the present alarm, shall be entitled 
to receive from the town £15 per month including the Court's 

pay." 

It would seem from the face of the record, that ample pro- 
vision was made to pay for the past expenditures, and to provide 
for the future expenses of the war. But in Lexington, as in all 
other towns at that time, the people were ready to vote taxes, 
but were unable to pay them. The high price of all the neces- 
saries of life, and the ruinous state of the currency, rendered it 
almost impossible to obtain money on. any consideration. They 
did all they could, and that was but little. There were but few 
who had money, and those who had, would not lend it, except at 
exorbitant rates ; and the raisers of produce partook of the same 
spirit. Prices were so fluctuating, and the currency was so 
deranged, that Congress suggested the propriety of some action 
on the subject ; and in Massachusetts a Convention assembled at 
Concord, for the purpose of considering the matter, and fixing 
a system of prices. Lexington participated in the movement, 
and chose Matthew Mead, Thaddeus Parker, and Joel Viles, 
as delegates. The Convention met in July, and fixed a scale 
of prices for goods, wares, and merchandise, and also for articles 
of produce and the wages of labor. The town expressed its 
hearty concurrence in the measures recommended by the Con- 
vention, and chose a committee to fix a scale of prices, and 
report the same to the town, at an adjourned meeting. These 
prices, being an important part of the history of the times, and 
showing the causes of the embarrassments of the people, we 
deem it a duty to insert. 

West India rum, £6 9s. per gall. ; New England rum, £4 16s. per 
gall. ; Molasses, £4 15s. per gall. ; Coffee, 18s. per lb. ; Brown sugar, 
from lis. to 14s. per lb. ; Chocolate, 24s. per. lb. ; Bohea tea, £5 15s. 
per lb. ; Cotton wool, 37s. 6d. per lb. ; German steel, 36s. per lb. ; Salt, 
best quality, £10 10s. per bush. ; Indian corn, £4 4s. per bush. ; Rye, £5 
10s. per bush. ; Wheat, £8 10s. per bush. ; Beef from 3s. to 4s. 6d. per. 
lb. ; Mutton, Lamb, and Veal, 4s. ; Butter, 12s. ; Cheese, 6s. ; Milk, Is. 



266 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

CcZ. per quart ; English hay, 30s. per cwt. ; Barley and Malt, £4 per 
bush. ; Beans, 45. lOd. per bush ; Cider, £5 10*. per bbl. ; Sheep's wool, 
21s., and Flax 12*. per lb.; Mugs, 30*. per doz.; Milk pans, 12*. per 
doz. ; Yard wide tow cloth, 24*. and cotton cloth, 36*. per yd. ; Sole 
leather, 20*. per lb. ; Upper leather in the same proportion ; Men's shoes, 
£6, and women's £4 10*. ; Making shoes and finding wax and thread, 
48*; Shoeing horse and steeled, 90s., plain, 66*.; Setting a single shoe, 
6*. ; New axe, £6, laying one, £3 12*. ; Spinning a double skein linen, 
4*. 6d. ; Weaving tow cloth one yard wide, 4*., and cotton, 4*. Qd. ; 
"Woolen cloth, one ell wide, 6s.; Best felt hats, £4; Best saddles, £60, 
common do., £40; Good yarn hose for men, 66*. ; All wool cloth, common 
dye, £4 10*. per yard ; Teaming under 30 miles, 18s. per mile ; Carpen- 
ter's or mason's work, 60s. per day ; Common labor, 36*. to 48*. ; Oxen per 
day, 24*; Horses per mile, 3*.; West India flip per mug, 15*., New 
England do., 12s. ; Extra good dinner, 20*., and common, 12s. ; Best 
supper and breakfast, 15*., and common, 12*. ; Lodging, 4*. 

The town voted to have the Committee of Safety proceed with 
all persons, according to the Resolve of the Convention, that 
should demand, take, or give more for any article than the rates 
set down in the schedule. These prices appear to be much higher 
than they really were, owing to the depreciated currency, which 
was at that time worth about one-sixth of the value of coin. 
But even with that allowance, men at the present day would 
hardly be willing to work in the summer season for thirty-five 
cents per day, and pay ninety-three cents per pound for Bohea 
tea. 

The embarrassments felt by the people at that day, were of the 
most trying character, and when we consider that these trials 
grew out of their devotion to the cause of freedom, and that 
they suffered not for themselves alone, but for us their descend- 
ants, we should not only overlook any faults we may discover in 
the course they pursued, but should render a tribute to their 
memories for their zeal and devotion in the great work in which 
they were so nobly engaged. 

In 1779, the people were called upon to elect a delegate to a 
Convention to form a Constitution, and the inhabitants of Lex- 
ington, with great wisdom and propriety, selected the Rev. Mr. 
Clarke, who, though modest and unpretending, had a good share 
of influence in that body. He was on several important com- 
mittees, where his good sense and ripened wisdom were of great 
service. 



TO THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION. 267 

The delegates thus elected, framed a Constitution, and sub- 
mitted it to the people for their ratification or rejection. The 
inhabitants of Lexington voted to adopt most of its provisions ; 
they however qualified their approval by proposing sundry 
amendments, all of which showed how jealous they were of 
their rights, and how careful they were to secure the great prin- 
ciples of popular equality, and to recognize religion as the basis 
of all good government. 

We will give one of the amendments proposed, with the 
reasons for the same, as set forth by the committee appointed 
to consider the subject. In the frame of Government they 
proposed to add the word " Protestant " to the term " Christian 
Religion" in the oath of oflfice, and supported that amendment 
as follows : 

" As to the word Protestant, we conceive it to be a word which took its 
rise from the pious, noble, and truly heroic stand which Luther and the 
first Reformers, with the reformed Churches in Europe, made against the 
Errors, Superstition and Hierarchy of the Pope and Church of Rome, 
and the Oppression, Persecution and Tyranny of Charles the Fifth, Em- 
peror of Germany in the beginning of the 15th century ; and more imme- 
diately from the Solemn Protest made and entered into by the Electors 
and Deputies of nineteen States and imperial Cities of Germany, against 
the unjust and impious Decrees of the Diet of the Empire, for suppressing 
the glorious Reformation on the 19th of April, 1529. On that account 
they were distinguished by the name of Protestants. A Term by which the 
reformed Churches of all Denominations in Europe and America, if not 
throughout the world, have ever since been known. A Term which our 
venerable Ancestors brought with them, when they came into this country, 
and held in a manner sacred, as expressive of their Characters as profes- 
sors of the pure Religion of Jesus Christ, in opposition to the blasphe- 
mous Absurdities of the Church of Rome ; and a Term which by long use 
hath been, and still is technically expressive of the true Religion of the 
Gospel, as justly distinguished from Popery. We therefore wish to have 
the expressive word inserted in the Constitution in those places we have 
pointed out, — to guard against introducing persons into offices of trust 
and places of power in the government of this State, whose Religion itself 
leads them to hold principles, and avow practices inimical to Liberty, sub- 
versive of Government, and dangerous to the State." 

The town proposed several other amendments, all of which 
looked to the protection of the subject, and showed how jealous 
the people were of their rights. 



268 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

The limited means of the people, the depreciation of paper 
money, and the numerous calls upon the town to furnish men 
and supply beef for the army, rendered the case exceedingly 
embarrassing. The town meetings which were very frequently 
held, shoAV the great difficulty under which the inhabitants 
labored. To indicate the depreciation of money, and the con- 
sequent loss which must have been realized by the holders of 
the paper issued, it is only necessary to state the fact that in 
1781, the toAvn instructed their collectors to receive of those who 
were in arrears for their taxes one dollar of the new emission for 
forty of the old. And on the year following the selectmen 
settled with Benjamin Wellington, allowing him eighty for one, 
as the difference between silver and paper money. 

Such a depreciation in the circulating medium would at any 
time produce great derangement in business, destroy confidence, 
and brins: about a state of confusion in the transactions of life. 
And when we consider that this took place in the midst of the 
exhausting war of the Revolution, we are surprised that our 
fathers sustained themselves as well as they did. 

As this element of depreciation in the paper currency at that 
day was interwoven with almost every transaction, public and 
private, it becomes important that we should understand the 
origin of these paper issues, and the cause of their depreciation. 
As this subject of the currency affected very materially the 
enlistment of soldiers in this and other towns, we take the lib- 
erty of making an extract from the history of Marlborough, 
where the subject was treated with some detail.^ 

"The unsuccessful expedition against Canada in 1690, in- 
volved the Province in a heavy debt. To meet this demand bills 
of credit were issued for one year. These were punctually re- 
deemed till 1704, when the expenses of calamitous wars induced 
the General Court to defer the payment, first for two years, and 
afterwards for a longer term. About 1714, the subject of the 
currency attracted considerable attention. Some were for re- 
turning to a specie currency ; others were for a land bank ; and 
others were for the Province loaning its credit to the towns, and 
thence in small sums to the inhabitants on interest. This latter 

' See Hudson's History of Marlborough, pp. 181-185. 



TO THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION. 269 

scheme prevailed, and £50,000 were issued, and passed over to 
the towns in proportion to their share of the pubHc tax. The 
sums thus apportioned to the towns, were committed to trus- 
tees appointed by them, to be loaned out in small sums to indi- 
viduals, who were to repay it at stated times with interest, and 
this interest was to be appropriated to defray the public expenses. 

" But these bills were constantly undergoing a depreciation. 
In 1702, an ounce of silver would buy of these bills Gs. lOd 
in 1705, Is. ; in 1713, 85. ; in 1716, 9s. 3d. ; in 1717, 12s 
in 1722, 14*^ ; in 1728, 18s. ; in 1730, 20s. ; in 1737, 26s 
in 1741, 28s. ; and in 1749, 60s. 

" Another scheme was projected to support a paper currency 
by silver coin, viz. — A loan of £60,000 to be deposited with the 
tOAvns as in' the other case, but to be repaid in specie. To extin- 
guish this paper currency, which had become exceedingly oppres- 
sive, the home government interposed, and Parliament, knowing 
that this paper had been issued to carry on the wars of Great 
Britain against the French and Indians, passed an Act for reim- 
bursing the Colonies in specie. The General Court provided by 
law for the I'ate at which these bills of credit should be redeemed ; 
and fixed it at about one-fifth less than their lowest current value ; 
that is, at fifty shillings for an ounce of silver which was valued 
at Gs. 8d., or an English crown. This was the origin of the 
' Old Tenor ' reckoning — fifty sliillings of paper equal to an 
ounce of silver, or Gs. Sd. 

" As the design of this law was the abolition of the paper cur- 
rency, and as the grant of Parliament Avas insufficient to redeem 
the whole mass of paper that the Province had issued, the re- 
mainder was liquidated by a tax of £75,000, payable in bills, at 
the above rate of fifty shillings in bills for 6s. 8d. in specie. 
All future debts after March 31, 1750, it was enacted, should 
be understood to be contracted on the specie basis of 6s. 8d. per 
ounce of silver. This was the origin of what has been known 
as * Lawful Money ; ' three ounces of silver being equal to £1, 
or 20s. 

" This restored the currency to a metallic basis, and to a uniform 
permanent value. Having passed this crisis of depreciation, the 
people enjoyed a sound and uniform circulating medium for 
more than twenty years. But the breaking out of hostilities 



270 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

with the mother country, imposed a new obligation upon the 
Province. War had commenced ; and means must be supplied 
to carry it on. Consequently the Pi'ovincial Congress in May, 
1775, empowered the Treasurer to borroAV one hundred thousand 
pounds lawful money, secured by notes of the Province at six 
per cent, and made payable June 1, 1777. They also desired 
the other Colonies to give currency to such securities. At the 
same time, they commended this subject to the consideration of 
the Continental Congress. 

" The Treasurer was required to issue no notes of a less denomi- 
nation than £4 ; but it was found necessary to meet the wants of 
the army to have notes of a less denomination ; and the Pro- 
visional Congress empowered the Treasurer to issue notes of six, 
nine, ten, twelve, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, eighteen and twenty 
shillings — this emission not to exceed £26,000. Almost simul- 
taneously with these issues by the State, Continental bills were 
issued by the General Government. For the first year these 
bills circulated freely, and were readily exchanged for cash. 

" But the continued issue of such bills by the State and the 
nation, and the fact that they had no specie to redeem them ; the 
dubious prospect of the result of the war, and the general 
exhaustion of the community, tended to depreciate their value. 
Add to this the British officers, and the adherents of the royal 
cause in the midst of us, took every opportunity, and had re- 
course to every means, to impair the value of this paper. They 
represented, and with too much truth, that the Continental Con- 
gress had no means by which to redeem their bills ; and with 
great injustice, asserted that they never intended to provide for 
their redemption. Under the influence of these causes, this 
paper money gradually depreciated in value, till it required about 
seventy-five pounds in paper to procure one in specie. Such a 
reduction in the value of the circulating medium, wrought great 
injustice, especially to those who subsisted on a salary, or labored 
for stated pay fixed beforehand. Many clergymen found by sad 
experience, that the salary which at their settlement was deemed 
sufficient, would hardly save them from starvation ; and the poor 
soldiers who enlisted at government pay for three years, found 
their wages hardly worth receiving, as will be seen by the fol- 
lowing scale of depreciation. 



TO THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION. 



271 



A Table showing the Depreciation of Paper Money, from January 1, 1777, 
to January 1, 1781, inclusive; in ichich the value of £1, or 20 shillings 
in paper, will be seen for each month during the whole period. 



Tear. Month, s. d. qr. 

1777 January 19 2 

'♦ February 18 8 3 

" March 18 4 

•• April 17 10 1 

" May 17 5 3 

" June 16 8 

" July 16 

" August 13 4 

'« September 11 5 

«• October 7 3 

** November 6 8 

" December 6 5 1 

1778 January 6 11 

•' February 5 8 2 

" March 6 4 

«' April 5 

♦♦ May 5 

" June 5 

" July , 4 8 1 

♦' August 4 43 

" September 4 2 2 

" October 4 

*• November 3 8 

" December 3 13 



Year. Month. s. 

1779 January 2 

" February 2 

«« March 2 



" April 

** May 

" June 

" July 

" August . . . 

*' September. 

" October 

*' November. 

♦♦ December . 

1780 January. . . 
" February.. 

" March 

** April 

" May 

" June 

' ' July 

" August,... 

** September. 

" October. . . 

" November. 

" December . 

1781 January.. . 



d. qr. 

8 1 
3 2 


9 3 



8 

7 1 



" The above scale of depreciation will enable us, at any period 
during these years, to estimate the worth in specie of paper 
money then in circulation. 

" It may not be amiss to state, that what was so embarrassing 
in Massachusetts, was still more so in all the States south of the 
Potomac, where little or nothing was done to sustain the credit 
of 'the country ; and that Massachusetts did more during the 
whole period of the Revolution in men and money than any 
other State. By an official Report from the Treasury Depart- 
ment at Washington, made in 1790, it appears that the amount 
of money, including paper reduced to its specie value, which 
had been received from, and paid to the several States by the 
35 



272 msTORY OF Lexington 

General Government from the commencement to the close of the 
Revolution, was as follows : 

States. Paid to State. Received from State, 

New Hampshire $440,974: $466,554 

Massachusetts 1,245,737 3,167,020 

Rhode Island 1,028,511 310,395 

Connecticut 1,016,273 1,607,259 

New York 822,803 1,545,889 

New Jersey 336,729 512,916 

Pennsylvania 2,087,276 2,629,410 

Delaware 63,817 208,878 

Maryland 609,617 945,537 

Virginia 482,881 1,965,811 

North Carolina 788,031 219,835 

South Carolina 1,014,808 499,325 

Georgia 679,412 122,744 

"Thus it will be seen, that while Massachusetts paid into the 
Continental Treasury during the Revolution $1,921,283 more 
than she received back, the five States of Maryland, Virginia, 
North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, paid only 
$178,503 more than they received ; so that Massachusetts in 
fact contributed a balance towards the support of the war more 
than ten times as great as these five States united." 

If Massachusetts received from the General Government a 
large sum, it was because she furnished more soldiers than any 
other State, except Pennsylvania. As compared Avith Virginia, 
Massachusetts, with half the population of the Old Dominion, 
furnished nearly three times, as many soldiers. Divide the whole 
number of men in the service by seven, the length in years of 
the war, and it would give Massachusetts an average for each 
year of 9,701, and Virginia only 3,953. 

No wonder under circumstances like these, that towns found 
it difficult to fill their quotas. No wonder that soldiers who had 
enlisted for three years, on a pay founded upon a silver basis, 
were unwilling to reenlist, when they found that their pay by the 
depreciation of the currency, had become nearly valueless. 
With hostile fleets upon our coasts, and hostile armies upon our 
soil ; with a feeble army poorly fed and clothed, whose term of 
service was about to expire ; and with crippled resources and a 



TO THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION. 273 

cuiTcncy nearly worthless, so as not to command recruits, no 
wonder the towns felt themselves greatly embarrassed. Lex- 
ington in common with other towns had to strain every nerve, 
and put forth her best energies. It was not the want of 
patriotism, but the want of an adequate compensation, that led 
the young to hesitate to enter the service. It was not the want 
of generosity, but the want of means, that prevented the good 
people of Lexington oftering such a compensation as would 
induce men to enlist at once. But the records show that they 
did exert themselves, in a becoming manner; and if they failed 
in part in doing what seemed to be right and proper, it is due to 
them to say, that they succeeded in a great degree under cir- 
cumstances which would have overwhelmed almost any other 
people. 

The burdens under which the people of the town labored, and 
the efforts they made to discharge theu' obligations, and fill their 
quotas of men for the army, will readily be seen in the following 
extracts from the town Recoi-ds. 

" June 26, 1780. Voted, That the sura of £14,000 be raised to hire the 
men required of this town for the army." 

" July 16, 1780, Voted, That £6,000 be granted to purchase the beef 
required of this town for the army." 

Dec. 4, 1780, the Assessors reported to the Selectmen 

*• That they had assessed the war tax of June and July, of £28,091 4^. 
8d. ; also the beef tax of £6,036 5s. 5d. ; also the town tax of £2,010 5s. 
5(i." 

•' Dec. 19, 1780. Voted, That £6,000 be raised to purchase the re- 
mainder of the beef for the army," 

" Jan. 7, 1781. Voted the sum of £27,000 to enable the Committee to 
hire men for the town's quota of the Continental army." 

" Voted to raise £12,000 to pay the 6 months' and the 3 months' men, 
hired by the Committee last summer to reenforce the army." 

"Feb. 20, 1781. Voted, That the town will give the men who shall 
engage for the army, each fifteen head of cattle for their services upon the 
following conditions, viz. If they serve one year, they shall receive 
yearling cattle, if two years, then cattle of two years old, if three years, 
then they shall receive cattle of three years old." 

These votes speak for themselves. And the record further 
shows, that the people exerted themselves to the utmost to carry 
these votes into effect. At their meetings, which in some cases 



274 msTORY OF Lexington 

were held weekly, they appointed committee upon committee — 
one to obtain the men, one to borrow money, one to aid the 
Collectors in collecting the taxes, one to obtain the beef for the 
army, and another to report upon the best means to be adopted 
to further the great end. With the increase of the obstacles, 
they renewed their efforts. One led on by hope and another 
confiding in despair — each and every one exerted their best 
energies to sustain the cause of their common country — the 
cause of human rights. 

"While we pity the poor soldiers, who, from the depreciation of 
the currency, found their pay an inadequate compensation for 
their arduous services, and admire the patriotism displayed in their 
righteous cause, we must admit that as a whole the people did 
what they could to alleviate their sufferings and those of their 
families at home. We therefore look back with profound admi- 
ration upon the zeal and self-sacrifice of that day. And when 
we consider the awful price our fathers paid for freedom, we 
cannot, and ought not to witlihold our execration of the traitors, 
who have recently attempted to destroy these blessed institutions 
— the fruits of our fathers' toils and sufferings. The history of 
the world does not furnish an instance of a rebellion so unpro- 
voked and causeless, so unjustifiable and base, as that of the 
slaveholders in their recent attempt to overthrow our institutions. 

After a great expenditure of blood and treasure — after trials, 
Bufferings and privations, such as are unknown, and consequently 
unappreciated by us their descendants, our fathers were at last 
blessed with liberty and independence. But they came out of 
the struggle, exhausted in their resources, and embarrassed by 
new and perplexing difficulties. Poverty, disorder approaching 
anarchy, and a complication of new and difficult political ques- 
tions, stared them in the face. As the country had been carried 
through the eventful struggle of the Revolution by the voice and 
efficient support of the primary assemblies, so now, after the 
treaty of peace, it was deemed important that the small towns 
should speak out. Lexington, which had been free to express 
her opinion before and during the Revolution, was willing to 
look any new difficulty in the face. Parson Clarke had a real- 
izing sense of the condition of the country, and of the necessity 
of wise and prudent counsels ; and hence in 1783, he spoke 



TO THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION. 275 

through a Committee of citizens in Instructions to Benjamin 
Brown, Esq., the Kepresentative to the General Court. 

" Sir: — Having given the strongest evidence of our esteem and confi- 
dence in electing you to represent this Town in the General Court of this 
Commonwealth, it is not to call in question either your Capacity, Dispo- 
sition or Fidelity, that we assume the right of Instructing our Represen- 
tative ; but rather to assure you of that hearty concurrence and support 
which you may be certain to meet with from your constituents, in those 
measures for the public good which your own wisdom, prudence and love 
of Liberty and your Country, would naturally suggest at such a time as 
this. 

" It is true under God, by the Wisdom, Firmness, Patriotism and 
Bravery of the people of this, and the United States of America, we have 
been happily carried through a contest, in which all we held dear as a free 
people was at stake, and in less time and at less expense of Blood and 
Treasure than the most sanguine expectations of the most discerning and 
judicious among us promised, and effected a Revolution great in itself, and 
glorious in the eyes of the astonished World ! 

" Much however remains yet to be done, to perfect the work ; and perhaps 
there never was a time, not even in the height of the contest, or depth of 
our distress, when Attention, Firmness, Penetration, Wisdom and Integ- 
rity were more necessary than the present. This year appears to us to be 
a most interesting, critical, and important period ; and upon the course 
taken, and measures adopted and pursued at this period, the establishment 
of our Rights and Liberties, as freemen, free and sovereign States, and an 
independent Nation, as well as the Blessing of Peace upon a permanent 
basis, will in a great measure depend. 

" Among other important concerns which may engage your attention, we 
beg leave to recommend the following, as what appears to us to demand 
the most critical notice, and serious consideration : — the case of those 
persons who in the late contest with Britain have left their country, and 
joined the Enemy. By the Articles in the Provisional Treaty of Prelimi- 
naries for a Peace between the United States and Great Britain, it is ex- 
pressly agreed, ' that Congress shall earnestly recommend to the Legisla- 
tures of the respective States,' that persons of the above described char- 
acter, * shall have free liberty to go to any part or parts of the thirteen 
United States, and therein remain twelve months unmolested in their en- 
deavors to obtain the restoration of their estates, rights, «&c.' 

•• While we sincerely wish that the faith of the nation, solemnly plighted 
by the Plenipotentiaries of the United States, might be realized and 
regarded with the most sacred attention, we also wish that the freedom, 
independence and sovereignty of the States respectively, might not be 
forgotten. 

" The words of the Treaty evidently suppose, that when Congress, in 
compliance with the stipulations in favor of persons of the above described 
character, * have earnestly recommended the matter to the Legislatures of 



276 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

the several States,' the Right of decision remains entirely and absolutely 
with them. The States severally are submitted to as the sole judges, and 
upon their determination their fate must rest — from them there is no appeal. 

*• Not to mention the hard names and opprobrious characters of Con- 
spirators, Traitors and Rebels, nor to lay any stress upon the question 
who among them are most or least deserving — there is one thing in which 
they are all alike, and without exception In the same predicament; and 
this suggests a rule, and points out a line of conduct for these States, 
which appears to us obvious, rational, just and necessary — and a rule 
equally applicable to all persons of the above characters. They have left 
the society — they have left the country by which they held their property 
— by which they were protected in, and to which they owed, Liberty, 
Property and Life ; and they have joined the Enemy, and put themselves, 
not only into their power, but also under their protection. By this one 
act, without any coloring or aggravation, it appears to us, they have for- 
feited all claim to privilege, property or protection in the society. State, or 
States they have left. The estate or property they have heretofore held, 
under the protection of the society or State to which they belonged, of 
course reverts to the State, and reason and common sense, the Laws of 
Nature and of Nations concur to pronounce them, one and all, Aliens 
from the Commonwealth. 

" This alone, we humbly conceive, is an argument both clear and con- 
clusive against their return to us, and the protection of their estates ; and 
at the same time points out a line of conduct both just and necessary — 
and Is no more than putting a sanction upon their own choice. 

"Many other arguments might be fairly urged against their return, and 
their admission as citizens of the States they have left ; as that they have 
by leaving and joining the enemy, weakened our cause and strengthened 
the enemy, and have sought and done what was In their power to subjugate 
us to the British yoke : That It Is both unnatural and unjust, that such per- 
sons should share in the privileges which they have to their utmost endeav- 
ored to destroy : That if they should be restored, and their estates returned 
to them, they will be very dangerous to the peace of society, and the lib- 
erties of this country : And we may add, that as to the Idea of admitting 
some and rejecting others, it is easy to see that wisdom would be puzzled 
to draw the line, and determine when and where to stop. 

" We would further recommend to you to use your endeavors to procure 
a more thorough inquiry into the state of the Public Debt, both State and 
Continental ; that the public accounts may be adjusted and properly 
arranged. To restore and establish the credit of State Notes and Securi- 
ties, and fund for punctual payment of the Interest of them. 

"We also wish that every proper measure maybe taken to promote 
economy in all grants, and in all disposals of public money, and at the 
same time that merit be duly noticed and rewarded, and the public faith be 
preserved, where solemnly plighted, and the most watchful care be taken 
that all unnecessary expenditures, In pensions or otherwise, may be pre- 
vented. 



TO THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION. 277 

*• We would suggest to you the importance, in a free government, of the 
encouragement of Literature in all branches of science and useful knowl- 
edge, and particularly of the University of Cambridge, and Public Schools 
and Seminaries of Learning ; — and as the General Court is the great 
Inquest of the Commonwealth, to promote an inquiry into the causes of 
the too general neglect and contempt of the law for Grammar Schools in 
the several Towns. 

"In all your proceedings, we trust we need not urge that a sacred re- 
gard to the Rights of the Community, an excellent Constitution, and the 
Articles of the Confederation of the United States of America, is at all 
times both becoming and necessary." 

"\Ye have seen the efforts made by the people of Lexington to 
carry on the war, but we have found them true to the cause in 
which they were engaged. Particularly have we seen them 
inculcating the soundest principles of constitutional liberty. 
The experience of the world has shown that it is easier to throw 
off the yoke of foreign oppression, than it is to establish a system 
of civil government, adapted to the wants of a free people. But 
in this Commonwealth, the people in the very midst of a revolu- 
tion framed a Constitution of government remarkable for its 
wisdom ; and we have the pleasure of seeing that the people of 
Lexington were alive to the subject, and active in establishing a 
government which has proved a blessing to the community. 

Nor were the people of Lexington behind the rest of the com- 
munity in their efforts to establish a government of laws. 
Reared up under the wise counsel of a prudent statesman, they 
were never disturbed by tories, nor by those wild visionaries who 
think that liberty consists in throwing off all restraint. The 
people, as a body, were peaceable and law-abiding, and equally 
ready to resist tyrants or to sustain rulers duly elected in con- 
formity to the laws of the land. They were devotees of liberty, 
but it was liberty regulated by law. They were warm advocates 
for a well regidated freedom, exempt from tyranny on the one 
hand, and licentiousness on the other. 



CHAPTER X. 

FROM THE PEACE OF 1783 TO THE YEAR 1830. 

Population in 1783 — Embarrassment of the People ^ Shays' Rebellion — 
Instruction to Representatives — A New Meeting House erected — Jay'a 
Treaty — Death of Mr. Clarke — Settlement of Mr. Williams — Resolu- 
tions on National Affairs — Green's Oration — Mr. Williams dismissed — 
The Great Bridge rebuilt — The Fourth of July celebrated — Reception 
of Lafayette — Phinney's Address — His History of Lexington Battle — 
Adams's Letter in Defence of Acton — Stetson's Oration. 

Though the war of the Revolution had been a period of trial 
and anxiety to the people of the Commonwealth, the period 
which followed the war was in many respects quite as trying. 
The heavy debt of the nation, State and towns, incurred during 
the seven years' war, and the embarrassments of individuals arising 
from the same cause and from the depreciation of paper money, 
produced a depression of business and a state of monetary affairs 
bordering upon bankruptcy. From this general embarrassment, 
Lexington was not exempt. 

Up to this time the people had been subjects of Great Britain, 
or involved in a contest with that country ; but thenceforward 
they were freemen. But there were causes which operated against 
the increase of population. A considerable number who had 
served in the army, from the town, did not return to Lexington 
to become permanent citizens ; and others who had resided in 
town during the war, owing to the depressed state of business 
and pecuniary embarrassments, left the place to seek their for- 
tunes elsewhere. Tliese causes served to keep the population 
nearly stationary for a considerable period. 

The Town Records for some years present nothing of special 
interest. The burden of the Town Meetings was to obtain 
means to discharge the debts contracted during the war. The 
year 178G was memorable for what has generally been denomi- 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 279 

nated, ^'Shcajs^ Rebellion.''^ The pecuniary embarrassment of 
which we have spoken, and the heavy taxes which were neces- 
sarily imposed, gave color to the plea that unnecessary burdens 
were imposed upon the people. On the 2 2d of August a con- 
vention of delegates from fifty towns in the county of Hampshire 
met at Hatfield, and adopted measures looking to the resistance 
of the laws. A large number of men assembled at Northamp- 
ton, took possession of the Court House, and prevented the 
sitting of the Court. The Governor issued a proclamation, call- 
ing upon all officers and citizens to suppress such treasonable 
j)roceedings, but to little or no purpose. At Worcester and 
Concord the Courts w^ere interrupted. The Legislature passed 
several acts relieving the people as far as was practicable. But 
the insurgents, headed by Daxiel Shays, wdio had been a Cap- 
tain in the Continental Army, to the number of about three 
Imndred, marched to Springfield in December, and took posses- 
sion of the Court House, and so prevented the sitting of the 
Court at that place. To meet this emergency, four thousand 
troops w^ere ordered out for thirty days, unless sooner discharged. 
Of this force, eight hundred were from the county of Middlesex. 
They were put under the command of General Lincoln. Though 
the insurgents appeared in martial array at Worcester, Spring- 
field, and several other places, there was never any direct col- 
lision between the troops and the insurgents, though a few shots 
w^ere fired, and three or four of the insurgents were killed. 
Shays was driven from Springfield, and his force was soon dis- 
persed at Petersham, where one hundred and fifty w^ere taken 
prisoners, wdiich terminated the rebellion.^ The precipitate 
flight of Shays on the appearance of General Lincoln's troojis 
at Petersham, gave rise to much ridicule, and many sallies of 
wit. Li one of the do2:c:ercl ballads of the dav, his flight is thus 
characterized : 

"When he came to the river of Styx, 
Where Charon kept the Ferry ; 
He called for a speedy passage o'er, 
For he durst no longer tarry." 

' Daniel Shays was born in Hopkinton, 1747. After his rebellion was 
crushed, he fled to Vermont, and afterwards moved to Sparta, N. Y., where he 
died September 29, 1S25, aged eighty-four. He was a pensioner of the United 
States. 

36 



280 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

Though the scene of this rebellion was not laid in Lexington, 
the inhabitants of this toAvn did not refrain altogether from a 
participation in the affair. In response to an Address from the 
town of Boston, touching the subject of this insurrection, the 
people of Lexington, in town meeting assembled, October 16, 
1786, expressed their condemnation of all such lawless proceed- 
ings, and promised their co-operation in all suitable measures to 
put down the rebellion, and sustain the honor and authority of the 
Government. 

Captain William Munroe, with a body of men, marched 
towards the scene of action ; but the flight of Shays rendered 
any further movement unnecessary, and he returned. 

On the tenth of March, 1787, the General Court appointed a 
Commission, empowered, on certain conditions, to receive the 
submission of the insurgents. About eight hundred came in 
and submitted themselves, and were not further proceeded 
against. Fourteen were tried and convicted. They were sever- 
ally sentenced to death, and some were even Jbrought to the place 
of execution ; but they were all ultimately pardoned. 

Wliile the State was thus embarrassed by its debts, and the 
people were borne down with pecuniary burdens, the citizens of 
Lexington freely expressed their sentiments in instructions to 
their Representative, which show the points of discussion before 
the public. 

At a meeting held March 28, 1787, their Representative was 
instructed, ' to adhere strictly to the Constitution, to oppose the 
emission of any paper money, to restore public credit, to 
oppose the removal of the seat of government from Boston, to urge 
the imposition of impost duties on foreign articles, and to urge 
that heavy penalties be imposed upon those who exact excessive 
interest on money loaned.' 

December 10, 1787, Benjamin Brown, Esq., was chosen a 
delegate to the State Convention to ratify the Constitution of the 
United States. 

At a meeting held April 4, 1791, Rev. Jonas Clarke, Benja- 
min Brown, Esq., and Captain Joseph Simonds were elected a 
committee to present a memorial to Congress asking them to 
erect a monument over the remains of those persons who were 
slain on the 19th of April, 1775. 



FROM THE PEACE OF 1783 TO THE YEAR 1830. 281 

In 1792, great excitement prevailed in town in consequence of 
the prevalence of that dangerous and loathsome disease, the 
small pox. 

In 1793, the subject of building a new meeting-house began 
to be agitated. At a meeting held March 11, 1793, it was 
"voted unanimously to build a New Meeting-IIouse, and to set it 
in the most convenient place, near the present IMeeting-IIouse." 

Ilis Excellency Governor Hancock, learning that the people 
of Lexington, for whom he always manifested a strong attach- 
ment, were about to build a new meeting-house, generously 
placed a hundred dollars at their disposal to aid them in the en- 
terprise ; for which he received " the thanks of said inhabitants, 
for this fresh instance of his friendship and affection to the town, 
in which the memory of his pious ancestors is still held in vene- 
ration, and the name of ILvxcock ivill ever be precious ." 

May 23, 1793, the town voted to build a new meeting-house, 
and to have two porches and a tower to the proposed house. 
Thus far the town proceeded with great unanimity. They all 
wanted a new meeting-house. They all desired it to be located 
on the Common. But when they came to minor points, as is 
usual on such subjects, a difference of opinion arose. Town 
meeting after town meeting was held, to decide whether the 
house should be set a few feet more or less from the old meetino-- 

o 

.house ; whether it should "face due south," or "down the great 
road ; " whether there should be one porch or two ; or whether 
it should be painted " pea-green " or some other color. 

But these questions were finally adjusted by voting to set the 
house " twenty feet back of the sills of the old house," and that 
it should "face half-way between south and south-east." But 
it does not appear that these differences obstructed the march of 
improvement ; for in anticipation of a new house, they positively 
directed their committee to provide those indispensable append- 
ages of a meeting-house, horse-hlocJcs. Smile not at the rustic 
manners of our fathers ; for you must know that in those days 
the ladies rode to meeting on horseback behind their husbands or 
brothers, and were much more punctual in attendance than people 
are at the present day, with handsome carriages to ride in. In 
those days a 2nlUon was a necessary part of a young lady's out- 
fit, and many a belle has been seen riding to a baU behind her 



282 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

intended, upon a pillion of licr own furnishing. And at church, 
how could a lady mount her horse, behind her gentleman, imless 
she had a horse-block to ascend? These horse-blocks may be 
considcrcdjjalmost in the light of an institution ; and a sounding- 
board over the pulpit and a horse-block near the house, were 
almost as important as the house itself. 

The house being finished was dedicated on the 15th of Janu- 
ary, 1705. About the same time, the pews were sold at auction. 
The size of the house appears not to be a matter of record. The 
number of pews below was fifty-four, and the number in the 
gallery was twenty-four. The aggregate sale amounted to 
$5,887. Besides these pews, there were seats in the body of 
the house ; and a seat reserved for the negroes. 

This meeting-house was situated on the south-easterly end of 
the Common, near the present liberty pole. 

When the Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation 
between the United States and Great Britain, commonly called 
Jay's Treaty, was made known to the American people, it met 
with decided opposition. On the 13th of August, 1795, the 
inhabitants of Lexington met in town meeting for the pui-pose 
of considering that treaty. When the treaty was read, it was 
referred to a Committee, of which Eev. Jonas Clarke was 
Chairman. This drew from Mr. Clarke an able paper, in which 
he condemns the treaty, and shows the impolicy of many of its. 
provisions. As the subject has long since passed by, and as our 
space is limited, we reluctantly exclude it from our pages. We 
will however say, that it fully sustains the character of its author 
for ability and watchful devotion to what he believed to be the 
true interest of his country, and his paper was unanimously 
adopted by the town. Nor was Lexington alone in opposing 
that treaty. It drew from many of our soundest men severe 
condemnation. It was assailed by argument and by wit — in 
prose and in verse. One scribbler vents his spleen thus : 

" Grenville and Pitt witb Jonney Jay, 
Have fairly bargained us away." 

In the misunderstanding between France and the United 
States in 1797 and 1798, Congress had imdcr consideration the 
subject of arming merchant vessels, that they might defend 



FROM THE PEACE OF 1783 TO THE YEAR 1830. 283 

themselves against French depreciations. The inhabitants of 
Lexington in town meeting assembled, adopted a meraoi'ial to 
Congress, expressing their apprehension that such a measure 
would be fraught with danger ; that it would be committing the 
peace of the nation into the hands of any and every master or 
commander of a vessel, so armed and commissioned ; who, 
through ignorance, prejudice, resentment or design, might 
commit acts of hostility, and so involve the nation in war, in 
contravention of the Constitution, which makes Congress the 
sole judge of the propriety of declaring war, after a full consid- 
eration of the subject. 

This memorial is the last paper, found upon the town records, 
prepared by their fjxithful pastor and enlightened statesman, Mr. 
Clarke. Few towns are able to furnish from their records, 
papers so numerous, elaborate, and able as Lexington ; and if 
she has whereof to boast, nothing, save the heroic part she acted 
on the 19th of April, 1775, can stand in preference to the able 
state papers which emanated from her village clergyman. 

The nineteenth century opens upon Lexington with a popula- 
tion of 1,006, being sixty-five more than in 1790. Nothing of 
importance occurred in the town for some years. Having re- 
covered in a good degree from the pecuniary embarrassments 
growing out of the Kevolution, the people became more liberal 
in their appropriations for schools, highways, and other objects, 
which mark the progress of civilization. In 1805, the town 
experienced a severe loss in the death of their devoted and dis- 
tinguished pastor. Rev. Jonas Clarke. They manifested their 
regret, and respect for his memory by bearing the expense of his 
funei'al, and caring for his family after his decease. Mr. Clarke 
died, November 15, 1805, being in the seventy-fifth year of his 
age, and in the fifty-first year of his ministry.' 

In October, 1807, the church, acting separately from the 
town, as was then the custom in all the Congregational churches, 
voted to call Mr. Avery Williams, and submitted then' action to 
the town, which voted unanimously to concur with the church. 
The town voted to offer him a salary of seven hundred dollars, 
and one thousand dollars as a settlement, — he relinquishing all 

' For an account of his character and services, see " Ecclesiastical History," 
and for an account of his family, see " Genealogies of the Lexington Families." 



284 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

claim upon the ministerial lands and fund. Mr. TVilliams ac- 
cepted the call, and was ordained, December 30, 1807. The 
town made ample provision for the occasion, as appears by the 
fact that they paid Amos Muzzy, Jr., $139.78 for entertaining 
the Council. 

On the 4th of July, 1809, the people of Lexington celebrated 
the Thirty-third Anniversary of our Independence. Benjamin 
Greene, Esq., delivered an oration, in which he made the 
following allusion to the town of Lexington and her martyred 
citizens : 

"If there ever was a time when it might be more than ordinarily the 
duty of posterity to recount the wonderful achievements, and to call to 
mind the insurmountable fortitude and perseverance of their ancestors ; 
and if there ever was a place peculiarly appropriate to this important pur- 
pose, surely this is the time, this is the place. For here the thunders of 
British oppression, which had been accumulating for years, like the fulmi- 
nating bolt from the dark and condensed tempest, burst its barriers, dis- 
gorging its direful effects upon the innocent victims of its cruel and relent- 
less rage ; and here the soil of freedom was first moistened with the blood 
of her sons. 

"That frail monument shall moulder to the dust, and be mingled with 
the corporeal of those whose names it is designed to perpetuate. But 
their names shall be remembered and repeated by the last of freedom's 
race. By their blood they have consecrated this place ; and on the wings 
of their fame have they borne the name of Lexington through every 
region of the globe." 

The health of Rev. Mr. Williams declining, and a journey 
South failing to restore him, the town, after supplying the pulpit 
for several months at their own expense, in September, 1815, 
came into an agreement with Mr. Williams, by which his con- 
nection with the parish should terminate — they paying him six 
hundred dollars. 

The subject of the " Great Bridge " between the towns of 
Cambridge and Brighton, which had annoyed the people of Lex- 
ington for about a century, and which required of them an annual 
tax for repairs, appeared in 1815 in a form more oppressive. 
The bridge was rebuilt at a cost of $1,727, of which Lexington 
was requii*ed to pay $356.64 — a tax sufficiently oppressive 
when it is considered that few if any of the inhabitants of the 
town ever passed over it. 



FROM THE PEACE OF 1783 TO THE YEAR 1830. 285 

During the war of 1812 with Great Britain, party politics ran 
high in the State. Lexington was strongly Republican. In 
1814, the 4th of July was celebrated in the toAvn with great 
show and parade. By eleven o'clock, four or five thousand peo- 
ple had assembled. A procession was formed, which moved to 
the meeting-house, escorted by a detachment of Colonel Loring's 
Fourth Regiment. The services at the church were as follows : 
Prayer, by Rev. Edmund Foster ; reading of the Declaration of 
Independence, by Gen. Joseph B. Varnum ; Oration, by Hon. 
Timothy Fuller. The assembly was honored by the presence of 
Gen. Henry Dearborn, and several other officers of the army 
under his command. The presence of Hon. Elbridge Gerry, 
Vice President of the United States, added to the interest of the 
occasion. Gen. Varnum presided at the table. That the ladies 
might participate in the festivities of the occasion, a spacious 
marquee was erected on the Green, and a social tea party was 
formed. At least a thousand persons partook of the bounties 
of the table. In the evening a splendid ball was given in the 
marquee, which was tastefully fitted up for the purpose. 

Many distinguished men of the Republican party, among 
whom were Hon. Judge Dana, Hon. Benjamin Austin, Hon. 
George Blake, and Hon. William Eustis, honored the occasion 
by their presence. It was truly a proud day for Lexington. 
The Orator of the day alludes to Lexington in this thrilling- 
strain : " This glorious spot, the hallowed scene of this day's 
devotion; this happy, favored spot, beheld the first precious, 
ruddy drops, shed to redeem our country. Yonder sacred 
pedestal, the faint emblem of our gratitude, declares the names 
of the first victims of British injustice. But long after that 
shall have crumbled to dust, the faithful page of history, the 
hearts of a grateful people shall engrave the deeds, and transmit 
the glorious record to remotest ages." 

But Lexington did not confine her support of the government 
and of the war in which we were engaged, to mere words. She 
made provision for the soldiers who might volunteer, or be called 
out by the national or State government, voting them five dollars 
bounty, and a sum which would make up their pay to sixteen 
dollars a month, including the amount offered by the General 
Government. 



286 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

In 1821, in order to keep up with the times, and make a little 
more noise in the world, the town voted to exchange their church 
bell for a larger one. 

As Lafayette, the distinguished Frenchman, who had scn'cd 
us so faithfully in our Revolution, and by military and civil 
talents had contributed so much towards the establishment of our 
Independence, had consented to become the guest of a grateful 
country during his sojourn in America ; and as he would probably 
desire to visit all the places memorable in the great patriotic 
struggle in which he had so nobly participated, it was natural to 
suppose that he would delight to visit the spot which was distin- 
guished as the birth-place of American Liberty. And the good 
people of Lexington, true to the spirit of their fathers, extended 
to the hero and sage a cordial invitation to visit the place, and 
receive the couG^ratulations of the admirino' thronsj. To enable 
the whole people to participate as far as possible in paying a 
tribute of gratitude and heartfelt admiration, the subject was 
laid before the inhabitants in town meeting assembled. On the 
30th of August, 1824, it was 

•* Voted, That the Board of Selectmen, together with Messrs. Abijah 
Harrington, John Muzzey, Ellas Phinney, James Brown, Samuel Down- 
ing and Christopher Reed, be a Committee to make arrangements to give 
General Lafayette a suitable reception in this place. 

" Voted, That the Committee be authorized to draw upon the Town 
Treasurer for any sum of money that may be necessary to defray the 
expense of the preparation to receive the General." 

This vote of the town, giving their Committee the power to 
draw from the Treasury without limitation, shows the state of 
feeling which pervaded the country at that time. Lafayette was 
the guest of the nation, and the entire people were disposed to 
show him the greatest possible respect. The recollection of his 
patriotic and valuable services in the field, and the no less 
valuable services in procuring aid from the French government, 
endeared him to every American ; and wherever he went he 
was hailed with joy and admiration. Ilis tour through the 
country was rapid, aijd was marked everywhere by the most 
heartfelt demonstrations of gratitude and admiration. Caval- 
cades moved forward to meet him, cannon announced his 
approach, bells rang out their merry peals of congratulation and 



FROM THE PEACE OF 1783 TO THE YEAR 1830. 287 

welcome, triumphant arches were thrown across the streets on 
which he was to pass, flags tastefully entwined, or tlu-own openly 
to the breeze, testified to the universal joy which the community 
felt. Never did a conc^ueror, returning from his victorious 
exploits, receive such heartfelt adulation. The pageantry attend- 
ing; the tour of monarchs through their dominions, escorted and 
protected by their hireling bands of armed men, of which history 
furnishes many examples, are mere empty show, ostentatious 
parade, or feigned adulation, at which the heart sickens, when 
compared with the sincere and voluntary homage paid to this 
illustrious man, by every friend of liberty throughout the land. 
On the 2d of September, 1824, Lafayette honored Lexington 
with his presence. Attended by his voluntary suite, he left 
Boston for our peaceful village. At the line of the town he Avas 
received by a troop of horse, and a cavalcade of citizens, who 
escorted him to the Common. Here was a beautiful arch of 
evergreen and flowers, Avith a motto, — " Welcome, Friend of 
America, to the Birthplace of American Liberty." The Common 
was tastefully decorated with flags, and a large concourse of 
people had assembled to do honor to one who had done so much 
for our country. Among those thus assembled, were the children 
from the schools, and fourteen of the gallant men who had 
participated in the battle of the 19th of April, 1775. After 
entering the Common, under the arch before mentioned, the 
procession moved to the INIonument, where the following 
patriotic and eloquent speech of welcome, was delivered by 
Major Elias Phinney, of Lexington : 

** General: — In behalf of the Committee of Arrangements and the 
Inhabitants of Lexington, allow me to tender you the assurance of their 
most respectful and cordial welcome to this town. Impressed with a sense 
of the important services you have rendered this country, they meet you 
on this occasion, and upon this memorable spot, with hearts swelling with 
every emotion which a generous love for your exalted character, and 
a grateful remembrance of the distinguished lustre of your deeds can 
inspire. 

•' On this hallowed ground, consecrated by the blood of the first martyrs 
to liberty, was kindled that flame which roused the nation to arms, and 
conducted them through peril and blood to a glorious Independence. 
Here a small band of patriots hurled the first signal of defiance to a host 
in arms, and taught the enemies of their country the appalling truth, that 
Americans dared to die in defence of their rights. 
37 



288 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

"These hardy and virtuous yeomanry of the country ofTer you the 
eincere tribute of their wannest affections. Among them your presence 
has awakened emotions too powerful for utterance. With the name of 
Lafayette is associated every comfort which sweetens the fruit of their toil, 
every charm which crowns the altar of douiestic happiness. Under the 
shadow of tliat glorious fabric, which your hands have assisted in rearing, 
they repose in peace and security. 

" Permit me, Sir, in common with grateful millions, to express our 
earnest solicitations that a life which has for so many yeais been stead- 
fastly devoted to the cause of national liberty — which has so long encoun- 
tered, without dismay, the frowns of arbitrary power, may be preserved 
lor marty years to come, a blessing and an honor to mankind ; and when 
you, Sir, and your brave associates in the war of the Revolution, shall 
have ceased from your earthly labors, instead of the fathers, may their 
children rise up to bless your memory, and emulate your virtues." 

The General, -with great sensibility, expressed his Avarmest 
thanks for the flattering attention he had received from the people 
of Lexington, and the satisfaction and pleasure he felt in stand- 
ing upon the soil consecrated by the blood of patriots to the 
glorious cause of freedom throughout the world ; and the high 
gratification he experienced in beholding the surviving remnant 
of that heroic band, which here inaugurated that resistance to 
tyrants, Avhich is obedience to God. 

After tliese ceremonies were over, the General was introduced 
to fourteen of the Spartan band who had rallied under the gallant 
Parker, on the memorable IDth of April, half a ccntiuy before, 
to assert the rights of freemen in the face of a haughty foe. 
After exchanging cordial greetings with the citizens assembled 
on the Green, they partook of a collation prepared for the occa- 
sion. Every thing went off agreeably, and the day will long be 
remembered by those who were present. 

At a meeting of the inhabitants of Lexington, held December 
13, 1824, a conuuitte was appointed, consisting of Hon. Nathan 
Chandler, llev. Charles Briggs, Elias Phinney, Amos Muzzy, 
Abijah Harrington, Benjamin O. Wellington, Charles Reed, 
John Muzzy, and Francis Bowman, Jr., Esquires, to collect 
and present to the public a statement of such facts relatiAC to the 
affair at Lexington on the morning of the 19th of April, 1775, 
as may be supported by undoubted testimony, and which may be 
calculated to place the transactions of that day, before the public, 
in their true \vA\t. 



FROM THE PEACE OF 1783 TO THE YEAR 1830. 289 

This measure was adopted in consequence of publications 
Avliicli claimed for Concoid the leading honors of the 19th of 
April, 1775. These writers claimed that " at Concord the first 
Mood was shed between the British and the armed Americans," 
and " that the first forcible resistance " was made at the North 
Bridge in Concord. Elias Phinncy, Esq., acting for the com- 
mittee, of which he was a member, prepared and published in 
1825, a succinct and well digested history of the events of that 
day, so far at least as Lexington was concerned, — showing 
conclusively that the first blood on both sides was shed at Lexing- 
ton, and that though the British at Lexington as at Concord 
fired first, several of Captain Parker's men returned the fire. 
These statements were fully substantiated by the affidavits of 
several persons who were present and acting on that occasion. 
The pamphlet of ]\Iajor Phinncy, written with abilit}^ and can- 
dor, went far towards settling that controversy. The lists of 
the casualties of that day decide most conclusively who were at 
posts of danger, and who were in the forefront of the battle. 
While Lexington with a single company had ten killed and ten 
wounded, Concord with two companies had no one killed and 
only four or five wounded, and one of them a citizen pursuing 
his ordinary occupation. 

Concord, rather unfortunately for her fame, subsequently 
enoao-ed in a controversy with Acton, relative to the events of 
that day. Josiah Adams, Esq., a native of Acton, delivered a 
Centennial Address in his native town in 1835, in which he 
defended Captain Davis, who fell gallantly leading the column 
to the Bridge occupied by the British troops ; and in doing this 
he called in question the claims of Concord, relative to the 
honors of the day. This defence of Captain Davis gave oflTence 
to the citizens of Concord, and a controversy ensued Avhich drew 
from INIr. Adams a spicy letter to Lemuel Shattuck, Esq., the 
author of the History of Concord, in which he showed conclu- 
sively that to Captain Davis and his Acton company belonged 
the principal honor of the affair at the North Bridge.^ 

' Mr. Adams, in his publications, maintains with great force that on the hill 
where the Provincials were assembled, the Concord companies both ranked 
the Acton company ; that they were paraded on the right near the road leading 
to the Bridge ; that both seniority of rank, and position on the field, would 



290 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

In 1825, tlie citizens of Lexington celebrated the Fourth of 
July in a beconung manner. Rev. Caleb Stetson delivered the 
Oration, Avhich was replete with patriotic sentiments. After 
paying a general tribute to the heroic, self-sacrificing spirit of 
our fathers who achieved our independence, the speaker alludes 
to Lexington in the following peroration : " But there are local 
associations coming home to our hearts, awakening an intense 
and absorbinjjf interest. We can never forget that in this villaire, 
in the little band that stood in fearless array with the gallant 
Parker, the spirit of resistance to British oppression was first 
roused to action. Here was shed that blood in which the 
Declaration of Independence was written." 

Alluding to those who fell on tlie 19th of April, he said : 
" Their memory is the legacy of mankind. It will descend with 
power and pathos to the bosoms of distant posterity. Yonder 
Monument is but an inadequate and perishing memorial of their 
glory — but the seal of immortality is already stamped upon it. 
We carry forward our vision through the shadowy range of 
coming generations, and see it grow brighter and brighter in the 
dimness of the distance. And it shall live in every heart that 
beats in freedom's cause, when the mausoleums of departed 
greatness, and the monuments of pride and power shall have 
mouldered to oblivion." 

naturally devolve upon the Concord companies the duty of leading the column 
down the narrow causeway to the Bridge; but that in fact Captain Davis, 
occupying a central position in the line, wheeled his company out of the line, 
ahd marched in front of the Concord companies, and at the head of the column, 
to dislodge the British from the Bridge ; and that this must have been done 
with the approbation of Major Buttrick, who commanded at the time. He also 
asserts that on the retreat of the British from Concord, the Acton men joined 
in the pursuit, and followed them as far at least as licxington, where one of 
their number was killed ; but that there is not the least evidence, that the 
Concord companies ever left their own town during that day ; that the asser- 
tion that the first forcible resistance was made at Concord is untrue ; that there 
was forcible resistance at Lexington several hours before ; and that the resist- 
ance at Concord was made by the Acton and not by the Concord men. He 
also confutes the assertion that when they marched down to the Bridge and 
returned the British fire, they had not heard that the enemy had fired upon 
Captain Parker's men at Lexington several hours before. Any one who wishes 
to understand the transaction at Concord, and to honor those to whom honor is 
due, will do well to read the publications of Mr. Adams. 



CHAPTER XI. 

FROM THE YEAR 1830 TO 1867. 

The Nineteenth of April celebrated by the Town — The Remains of the Mar- 
tyrs of 1775 removed — Controversy relative to the Ministerial Fund — The 
Town Hall — Kossuth visits Lexington — Death of Jonathan Harrington — 
Breaking out of the Rebellion — Lexington sends her Quota of Men — 
Bounty to the Soldiers. 

No one day in tlie annals of Lexington, save the 19th of 
April, 1775, stands out so prominent as April 20, 1835. On 
that day, the remains of the heroes who fell on Lexington Green, 
in 1775, which had been interred in the grave-yard, were 
removed and deposited in a vault, prepared for the purpose, 
near the base of the Monument, Avith appropriate ceremonies, 
which will long be remembered. On the 28th of April, the 
year preceding, at a legal town meeting, it was 

" Voted unanimoitshj. To have the remains of those who were killed by 
the British, on the morning of the 19th of April, 1775, removed and 
re-entombed near the Monument, (with the consent of their surviving 
relations.)" 

•' Voted, To choose a Committee to carry the foregoing vote into efiect." 

The following gentlemen were chosen, viz : 

Elias Phinney, Esq., Chairman. Charles Reed, Esq. 

Gen, Samuel Chandler, William Chandler, Esq. 

Maj. B. O. Wellington, Ambrose Morrell, Esq. 

Benjamin Muzzy, Esq. Col. Philip Russell. 

The Committee, impressed with the solemnity and importance 
of the subject, wisely selected the Anniversary of their fall, as the 
day to remove their remains ; and as the event was one of historic 
and national importance, with equal wisdom, chose one of the 
nation's most distinguished orators, Hon. Edward Everett, to 



292 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

deliver an Address on the occasion. The names of the persons 
whose remains were inclosed in the sarcophagus were, Jonas 
Parker, liohert Miinroe, Samuel Iladley, Jonathan Harring- 
ton, Jr., Isaac Muzzy, Caleb Harrington, and John Broion. 
These persons belonged to Lexington and were killed in the 
morning. Three other citizens of Lexington were killed on the 
retui'n of the British in the afternoon, viz., Jedediah Munroe, 
John liaymond, and Nathaniel AVyman. 

The bodies of the seven individuals belonging to Lexington 
were, at the time of their death, inclosed in long wooden boxes, 
made of rough boards, and buried in one common grave, in the 
burying-ground, separate and apart from all other graves. A few 
days prior to the celebration, their remains were disinterred under 
the direction of the Committee, placed in a wooden coffin, which 
was inclosed in lead and made air-tight, and the whole in a ma- 
hogany sarcophagus, on the sides and ends of which were eight 
urns, bearing the names and emblematical of the individuals 
whose remains were contained therein. A deposit was made in 
the sarcophagus of a thick leaden box, hermetically sealed, con- 
taining the folloAving articles, viz. : — A copy of the History of 
the Battle of Lexington, by Elias Phinney, Esq., a sketch of the 
exercises and orders of the day, a copy of the Bunker Hill 
Aurora, and a copy of the Concord Whig ; the names of the 
President of the United States, of the Lieutenant Acting Gov- 
ernor of Massachusetts, and the clergymen of Lexington. To 
receive the sarcophagus, a tomb had been prepared in the rear 
of the foundation of the Monument. 

Salutes and minute guns were fired at intervals, during the 
morning, and flags raised in honor of the occasion, were waving 
at half mast until the close of the funeral services. At an early 
hour the village was filled with visitors to the number of several 
thousands, notwithstanding the unpropitious state of the weather. 
Public and private houses were thrown open and filled with 
visitors. 

The procession was formed at 11 o'clock, near the Monument 
House, and moved under a military escort, consisting of the 
Lexington Artillery and a volunteer company of light infantry, 
connnandcd respectively by Capt. J. F. LeBarron and Capt. 
Billings Smith. The procession moved to the burying ground, 



FROM THE YEAR 1830 TO 1867. 293 

where they received tlie sarcophagus, the band perfonning appro- 
priate music during the ceremony. On arriving at the church, 
the military opened to the right and left, the sarcophagus w^as 
j)hiced in the broad aisle, and the procession entered. The pulpit 
was occupied by the Chaplain and the Reverend Clergy. In 
front of the pulpit a platform had been raised for the orator ; 
and on each side of him on the platform were seated the sur- 
vivors of Capt. Parker's company, viz. : Dr. Joseph Fiske, 
Daniel Mason, Benjaniin Locke, A^'illiam Munroe, Jonathan 
Harrington, Ebenezer Simonds, Jonathan Loring, John Hos- 
mer, Isaac Durant, Josiah Heed. Solomon Brown and Ebenezer 
Parker were absent, one living at a great distance, and the other 
on account of the infirmities of age. The galleries were occu- 
pied exclusively by the ladies. Notwithstanding the unpromising 
state of the weather, the preceding evening and that morning, 
the church was filled to overflowing, as well as the platform 
which had l^een erected round the church, and the windows, were 
also filled with hearers. 

After an appropriate prayer by Rev. James AValker, Hon. 
Edward Everett delivered an Address, which was listened to in 
breathless silence for two entire hours. V\e shall attempt no 
synopsis of this Address. Nothing short of the Avhole could give 
an adequate idea of its power and beauty. It is enough to say 
that it has been given to the public, and is one of the happiest 
efforts of that distinguished orator, whose words have electrified 
the country, and Avhose life even to the last, has been devoted 
to the great cause of American Independence. 

We cannot, however, dismiss this masterly Address without 
saying that Mr. Everett gave a succinct statement of the causes 
of the American Revolution, passed a justly merited eulogy upon 
John Hancock and Samuel Adams, commended the able and 
patriotic efforts of Rev. Jonas Clarke, noticed the preparations 
made in Lexington to meet the crisis ; and of the events Avhich 
occurred on the Common on the 19th of April, 1775, said : 
" Another volley aimed with fatal precision, succeeds. Several 
dropped, killed and wounded. Capt. Parker now felt the ne- 
cessity of directing his men to disperse ; but it was not till 
several of tliem had returned the British fire^ and some of 
them wore than once, that tliis handful of brave men wer^ 
driven from the field." 



294 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

After the close of the exercises at the church, the procession 
again formed, and moving around tlie inclosed battle ground to 
the Monument, the sarcophagus was placed within the iron railing 
in a tomb of stone masonry, prepared to receive it. Three vol- 
leys of musketry were then fired over the grave, and the proces- 
sion moved on to the pavillion erected near the Monument 
House, Avhere a collation was prepared. 

Elias Phinney, Esq., Chairman of the Conmiittee of Arrange- 
ments, presided at the table. On each side of the President were 
the invited guests, including Lieutenant Governor Armstrong and 
Aids, Orator and Chaplains, Daniel Webster, Judge Story, 
President Quincy, Attorney General Austin, Adjutant General 
Dearborn, and others. 

The sentiments given on the occasion were responded to by 
the distinguished guests, who passed the highest eulogiums upon 
Lexington and her brave minute-men. 

Lexington had been blessed in her historic association, and in 
every department of her history. This had been particularly true 
of her parochial affairs. It is a lamentable fact that the spiritual 
concerns of a community, which should teach them forliearance 
and charity, have in many, very many instances, been the cause 
of more disputes and heart-burnings, and have produced more 
rancor and bitterness than almost anything else. Lexington, as 
we have seen, had been an exception to this too general rule for 
almost a century and a half. 

But alas for human nature ! offences will come. As soon 
as Lexington became a parish, the peojile took measures to create 
a parsonage or ministerial fund, which should secure to them 
the means of supporting, or rather aid them in supporting the 
Gospel ministry. They purchased a quantity of land, and set 
it apart for that purpose. The original cost of the land was 
but about $67, which was raised by a tax upon the parish. This 
land, or the avails of it, have been cherished with great fondness, 
and managed with extreme care and fidelity. In 1817, an Aci 
was obtained, incorporating certain persons as Trustees of the 
Ministerial Fund, whose accounts Avere audited annually by the 
town. This fund in 1830, amounted to the sum of $16, GOO, 
besides a quantity of land unsold. 



FROM THE YEAH 1830 TO 1867. 295 

So long as the people were of one heart and one mind, this 
fund proved a blessing to the parish — if indeed it be a blessing 
to any religious society to be relieved from all contributions for 
the support of religious institutions. It is a principle of our 
nature to value things somewhat in proportion to the labor and 
cost of obtaining them ; and this applies to institutions as well as 
to tangible tilings. There is generally a more healthy, active 
religious feeling in societies which sustain themselves by their 
annual contributions, than in those societies which lean upon 
funds for support. AVe are fir from believing that parish funds, 
in all cases, are a curse. ^Mien societies are feeble, a parish 
fund would prove a blessing while it aids tliem to support the 
institutions of religion, without paralyzing their own efforts. It 
is with parishes as with individuals, those are the most prosperous 
whicli have made personal efforts, and cultivated the virtue of 
self-reliance. 

In 1830 a portion of those who had worshiped at the church 
of the old parish, formed themselves into a Baptist society, and 
subsequently a second Congregational society and a Universalist 
society were formed in the East Village. 

In 1833 an article was inserted in the Warrant for March 
meeting, which gave embodiment to the feeling which prevailed 
in the eastern section of the town. "To see if the town will 
move the old meeting-house, or build a new one in some central 
place, where there can be land procured to build out-buildings ; 
or build one in the eastern section of the town, and settle a min- 
ister as colleague with Mr. Briggs, to supply preaching in both 
houses." The same article was inserted in the Warrant for a 
meetinof in August of that vear ; and thouoh these Articles were 
voted down by decided majorities, the opposition were not dis- 
coui'aged or disheartened. In October, 1834, they procured the 
insertion of an Article in tlie Warrant for a town meeting, — 
"To see whether the town will petition the Legislature, either 
to repeal the Act incorporating' the Trustees of the Ministerial 
Fund, or to so modify the same that the equal rights to aid 
from profits resulting therefrom, may be secured to all the inhab- 
itants of said town, agreeably to the intention of its ancient 
founders." This Article was voted down, 120 to 64. 

At a meeting, June 1, 1835, an Article was inserted in the 



296 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

"Warrant, — " To see if the town will authorize the Trustees of 
the Ministerial Fund to pay to a Commit'tee chosen for that pur- 
pose, one half of the income of said fund towards the support of 
a Congregational minister to preach to that part of the I^irst 
Congregational society who worship in the East Village." This 
Article discloses the fact that those worshiping in the East Vil- 
lage still claim to be members of the old society and vote in 
their meetings. The town refused to act upon the Article. 

This contest went on for years, and town meeting after town 
meeting was called for the express purpose of obtaining a portion 
of this fund. Not only those w^ho resided in the East Village, 
but the Baptists and Universalists, who had formed societies, 
claimed a share of the fund ; and in order to be more successful, 
they all retained their membership in the old parish. 

From ill health, Rev. Mr. Briggs resigned his office as pastor, 
and Eev. ISIr. Swett was invited to take his place. But this 
only gave a new opportunity for the disaffected to renew their 
demand for a portion of the fund. It Avould be tiresome to go 
through all the details of this strife. But one thing is certain, 
viz. that the income of the fund ivas the prize sought. Like 
the eager heirs of a large estate, they were willing to sacrifice 
the harmony of the community and the very object of all preach- 
ing, in a scramble for the means to pay the preacher. 

As was natui'al, the opposing parties, though they had no 
common sympathy for each other, Avould unite against the 
stronger party, and paralyze their eftbrts. The old society could 
not hold a meeting, or settle a minister, or transact their ordi- 
nary parish business, without encountering the opposition of 
those who in a practical point of view, had no sympatliy with 
the society, being alienated either by doctrinal sentiments or 
sectional feelings from the parish. In 1845 all parties became 
weary of the strife and came to a mutual understanding, by 
which the income of the fund should be divided between the dif- 
ferent religious societies on the basis of the taxable j)roperty held 
by the members of each society respectively. 

Now that the contest is over, and the fund divided on a wise 
basis, and most of those who took the lead in that unfortunate 
struggle haye passed off the stage, we can look upon this matter 
impartially, and hence learn wisdom from the foibles of those 



FROM THE YEAR 1830 TO 1867. 297 

wlio have gone before us. The character of the town has suffered 
by tliis bitter controversy, the effects of which have hardly yet 
passed away. And here Lexington does not stand alone. 
Almost every toAvn which has had any considerable fund, has 
experienced a like contest and alienation of feeling growing out 
of it. 

On the le^jal riji'hts of the case there is no room for doubt. 
All such funds are the property, not of the town, but of the 
parish. The law of Massachusetts, as expounded by the Couits, 
is clear. Every original township was a parish, and the two 
organizations, the Municipal and the Parochial, co-existed. 
When a bequest was made to the town, or when the town cre- 
ated a fund for the support of the minister, the property vested 
in the parish — the town being nothing but Trustee for the 
parish. But the case of the Lexington Fund was still stronger. 
The land which formed the basis of this fund was bought and 
paid for by the parish, nearly twenty years before the town had 
a being. Consequently it belonged to the parish by as good a 
title as is known to the law. When, therefore, a person ceased 
to be a member of the parish, he ceased to be a joint owner of 
the fund. By leaving the parish he relinquished all right in and 
control over this parish property. While he remained in the 
parish he would have a right to vote ; but being a member of a 
corporation, he must submit to the voice of the majority. If, 
therefore, those people who had formed themselves into a Baptist 
Society, or a Universalist Society, or who worshiped at the 
East Village, had left the old parish, they could have no legal 
claim upon the fund. But if they still belonged to the old parish, 
they were legally bound by a vote of the majority. So that at 
no time during this controversy, were any of their legal rights 
infringed. 

But they claimed that they had an equitable right to their 
share of the fund. This certainly deserves consideration. But 
on what Avas such a claim founded ? On the original intent of 
those who created the fund ? They designed it for the support 
of the ministry in their parish, and not in other rival societies 
which would tend to break down the parish for which they were 
pi'oviding. Did they base their claim in equity on the fact that 
they were members of the parish, and should have their share of 



298 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

the profits of the Pund ? If they were members of the parish, 
they were bound in law and equity to abide by the voice of the 
majority. Did tliose at the East Village claim a portion of the 
fund on the ground that they lived at a great distance from the 
meeting-house ? It is a notorious fact that at the time the fund 
was created, and the meeting-house built on the Common, there 
was a greater proportion of the inhabitants at the extreme eastern 
and other out-parts of the township, as compared with the centre, 
than there was when they were urging their plea. 

Besides, all pleas of right imply corresponding obligations and 
duties. Suppose the parish had been in debt for their meeting- 
house, or for the past salaries of their ministers, would these dis- 
contented persons have been willing to be taxed to pay that 
indebtedness? I apprehend that under that state of things, they 
would have regarded it as an act of injustice to call upon them 
to help pay the old debt, contracted it may be, before they were 
born, and would have shown their unwillingness by leaving the 
society. And fm-ther, was it acting on principles of moral equity 
to retain their legal membership, that they might be able to vote 
themselves a portion of this fund, when in fact, they were mem- 
bers of other societies, which they were laboring to build up at 
the expense of the old parish ? The facts in the case show that 
those who had formed rival societies, had no claim in law or 
equity to any portion of the fund. 

At the same time the old parish Avere unwise in resisting the 
application as long as they did. A little sober reflection should 
have taught them that the peace and harmony of the town was 
worth more in a civil, social, and religious point of view, than a 
few hundred dollars of the Ministerial Fund. They should have 
seen earlier than they did, that a determined minority would be 
likely to succeed in the end ; and that it was a safe and wise 
policy to soothe rather than exasperate an opposition ; and that 
it was wiser to bestow cheerfully than wait and be compelled to 
yield reluctantly. And had they not brooded over this fund so 
long, and cherished it with so much fondness, they might have 
Been that the tendency of a large fund was to paralyze rather than 
quicken religious feeling — the great object for which the Chris- 
tian ministry was instituted. They acted discreetly at last in 



FROM THE YEAR 1830 TO 18G7. 299 

consenting to a division, and the only pity is, that it was not 
done at an earlier day. 

Now that the whole thing is past, and the effects are known, 
no doubt all parties can see the errors into which they were be- 
trayed ; and are now ready to admit that the peace of the com- 
munity is of more true worth, and the reputation of the town is 
more valuable, than the income of any ordinary fund, though it 
may be denominated Ministerial. Experience must have taught 
all parties, that a large fund to support the ministry will not 
increase the interest and religious engagedness of a society, and 
that any portion of such a fund, obtained by strife, will not 
insure permanency to the societies which receive it. 

We would gladly have passed over this unfortunate page in the 
history of this otherwise peaceful town. But the impartial 
historian should record the unpleasant events which occur, 
as well as those which are more agreeable. It is from this 
presentation of light and shade that the spirit of the age may be 
seen, and the true character of individuals or communities may 
be known. 

The Act of the Legislature, in 1845, providing for a distribu- 
tion of the income of the ]\Iinisterial fund, was accepted by the 
town by a unanimous vote, March 31, 1845. Thus an end was 
put to that unpleasant and unprofitable controversy, and at the 
same time the subject was removed from the consideration of the 
town, and delivci-ed over to the parishes. 

When that remarkable man, Louis Kossuth, former Governor 
of Hungary, fled from his country to escape the barbarity of 
Austria, and visited the United States, he was invited by the 
Governor of Massachusetts, at the request of the Legislature, to 
visit our Capital and become the guest of the State. He com- 
plied with the invitation, and during his sojourn in the State, 
visited most of the principal cities and towns, where he was 
received and welcomed by thousands of the inhabitants. Being 
an exile from his native land, and an ardent lover of free institu- 
tions, he would naturally desire to visit the birth-place of Amer- 
ican Liberty. He was invited to Lexington. On the 11th of 
May, 1852, he left Boston, and taking West Cambridge in his 



300 ^ HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

route, he was escorted by the horsemen of that and the neighbor- 
ing towns, to the boundary of Lexington, where he was received 
by the Lexington Committee and a large cavalcade. The pro- 
cession then mo-sed to Lexington Common, where a rostrum had 
been erected near the INIonument, and appropriately decorated. 
All sides of the Common were hung with flags, tastefully 
arrano-ed ; at the entrance was the inscription — "Welcome to 
THE BiKTii-rLACE OF A^iEKiCAX LiBERTY." A large con- 
coui'se of people had assembled at the Green, and the school 
children Avere arranged along the walk, who greeted Kossuth as 
he passed. 

On reaching the platform, Kossuth was introduced by Col. 
Isaac H. Wright to Hon. Charles Hudson, Chairman of the 
Lexington Committee, who addressed him as follows : 

" Governor Kossuth, — As the organ of tlie citizens of Lexington, I 
bid you a cordial welcome to this quiet and peaceful village. We are 
assembled here this morning to pay our honors and to tender our sympathy 
to one who in other lands, has so nobly vindicated the rights of man against 
the encroachments of arbitrary and despotic power. Your advocacy of 
human rights, your devotion to the best interests of your beloved country, 
your labors for her welfare, and your suffering in her behalf, justly com- 
mend you to the friends of free institutions throughout the world. We 
rejoice In this opportunity of tendering to you our unfeigned regard, and 
to your bleeding country our kindest sympathy. 

'• We welcome you to this consecrated spot, on which was shed the first 
blood in that glorious struggle which made us a free and prosperous peo- 
ple, and gave us a name among the nations of the earth. But these bless- 
ings were dearly bought. This Green has been trampled by a foreign foe. 
Here our fivthers met their oppressors, and this unpretending stone tells 
the sad story of their fate. In yonder humble dwelling,' our domestic 
exiles, the proscribed Hancock and Adams, sought a retreat, and, like the 
heroes In Grecian story, consulted the patriot priest on the safety of the 
Commonwealth, 

"But a brighter day has dawned upon our countiy ; and some of the 
sainted patriots who passed through those struggles, through that wilder- 
ness of dangers, and that Red sea of blood, are here to-day to partake of 
the blessings of this Canaan of rest, 

«' So may it be with your beloved country! Though a dark cloud over- 
shadows her. Its gilded margin betokens a brighter sky, and points to the 
bow of promise. Your country must ultimately be free. Austria and 
Russia may combine against her, but their efforts cannot prosper. Let 

' The Clarke House, on Hancock street. 



FROM THE YEAR 1S30 TO 1867. 301 

these tyrants rely upon their fortresses and their armies — let their legions 
come up like the locusts of Egypt; but their trust is vain. 

' Jove shakes the feeble props of human trust, 
And towers and armies levels with the dust.' 

" I again welcome you to the birth-place of American liberty, and to all 
the hallowed associations which cluster around this place. I welcome you 
to the hearts of this people." 

Kossuth in his reply, speaking of those Avho fell on Lexington 
Common, on the 19th of April, 1775, said : 

" It is their sacrificed blood with which is Avritten the preface of your 
nation's history. Their death was and ever will be the first bloody revela- 
tion of America's destiny, and Lexington the opening scene of a revolution, 
that is destined to change the character of human governments, and the 
condition of the human race."' 

After Kossuth had finished his remarks, he was introduced to 
Jonathan Harrington and Amariah Preston, both soldiers of the 
Revolution, and each of them ninety-four years of a^-e, and to 
many others of our citizens, when he visited the old Clarke house, 
and moved on to Concord, Avhere he had another public recep- 
tion, made a sjieech, and returned to Boston the same day. 

On the 2()th of i\larch, 1854, Jonathan Harrington, the last 
survivor of the battle of Lexington, closed his earthly career, 
aged 95 years, 8 months, and 18 days. At his funeral a large 
concourse of people assembled, a military procession Avas formed, 
and the greatest respect was shown to the memory of one, wha 
in his early youth had sounded the shrill notes of liberty in the 

' Louis Kossuth was truly a wonderful man. A stranger in our country, and 
only self-taught in our language, and consequently unacquainted with our his- 
tory, — he passed from place to place, speaking almost daily to large assemblies, 
in different localities, and displaying a knowledge of the local history of each 
place, which would actuallj^ be instructive to the permanent inhabitants. The 
readiness with which he acquired a knowledge of our history, general and local, 
was surprising. lie was, in fact, a man of remarkable talents. And when we 
consider the persecution he had suifered in his own country, the perseverance 
with which he pursued his efforts for her independence, we can easily excuse 
any extravagant theories into which he may have fallen, and any impatience 
he may have manifested, at what he regarded the backwardness of this country 
in entering into his visionary scheme of delivering Hungary from the yoke of 
Austria. 



302 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

ears of foreign oppressors, and had lived to witness the happy 
fruits of that Ke volution, in the opening scene of which he had 
participated.^ 

As we are to enter upon that part of our history wdiich con- 
nects us with a mighty struggle to sustain our institutions, it is 
due the truth of history to state the cause of this gigantic rebel- 
lion. It is well known that immediately after the Revolution, 
the subject of African slavery .was agitated in the country; and 
though our high-minded and patriotic statesmen, North and 
South, regarded the institution as corrupt and degrading to our 
national character, they fondly believed that the odious system 
would soon cease in the Republic. And having dedicated all the 
territory owned by the United States to freedom by the ordi- 
nance of 1787, our fathers adopted our Constitution recognizing 
slavery as an existing fact. Such, however, was their aversion to 
the system, that they Avould not suffer the word slav6 or slavery 
to be inserted in the Constitution — declaring that they believed 
that in a short time slavery would cease ; and they would not 
suffer the great charter of our Liberty to be polluted by a term 
which might render it the scoff' of the nations of the earth. 

But the acquisition of Louisiana, and the culture of cotton 
which sprang up, changed the whole aspect of this question. 
The States of jNIaryland, Virginia, and Kentucky, which had 
regarded slavery as a pecuniary burden, now found that breed- 
ing slaves for the Southern market, became profitable ; and 
instead of following up their oft declared resolution of blotting 
out the foul stain from their escutcheon, they became w^edded to 
an institution which filled their coffers, and joined with the Gulf 
States in attempting to extend slavery. As that corrupt system 
impeded their growth in wealth and population, the South saw 
that they should lose that control over the destiny of the nation, 
which they had been able to exert from the foundation of the 
Government ; and to counteract this tendency, they, by the aid 
of their northern allies, annexed Texas to increase the slave- 
holding territoiy ; and for the same object, they involved the 
country in an unnecessary war with Mexico. And after obtain- 
ing the ill-fated compromises of 1850, they, aided by their 

' See Genealogy of the Harrington Family. 



FROM THE YEAR 1S30 TO 1867. 303 

northern foIloAvers, siicceded in repealing the Missouri Compro- 
mise, that slavery might be extended into Kansas, Nebraska, 
and the whole north-western territory. These measures all de- 
signed, not only to sustain, but to extend slavery, opened the 
eyes of the free States, and gave rise to the Republican party, 
and so increased their strength that they were enabled to elect 
their President. 

When the result of this election was knoAvn, the southern 
aspirants, without waiting for the development of President Lin- 
coln's policy, resolved to overthrow^ the Government which they 
saw they could no longer control. The policy of the out-going 
Administration seemed to favor their design. Large quantities 
of arms and munitions of war had been removed from our north- 
ern forts and arsenals, and deposited in the southern States. 
Our ships of Avar were mostly dismantled or sent to foreign 
stations. The leaders at the south availed themselves of these 
advantages, and strove to set up a slaveholcling confederacy on 
the ruins of our free Republic. One of their number, a leading 
South Carolinian, declared publicly that the dissolution of the 
L^nion was the object at Avhich he had l:)een aiming for twenty 
years. And Mr. Stevens, the Vice President of the boasted, but 
short-lived Confederacy, boldly declared that their object was to 
establish a confederacy w^hose corner stone should be slavery. 
His words are : — " The new Constitution has put at rest forever, 
all agitating questions relating to our peculiar institution. 
African slavery, as it exists among us, is the proper status of 
the negro in our form of civilization. Our new government is 
founded, its corner stone rests upon the great truth that the 
negro is not equal to the w^hite man ; that slavery is his natural 
and normal condition." Such, in brief, was the object of the 
rebels, and such the cause of their revolt. And the history of 
the world does not furnish a more causeless, unjustifiable, or 
wicked rebellion. It was conceived in a vain ambition, com- 
menced in the basest perfidy, and prosecuted wdth savage cruelty. 
Such wall be the verdict of posterity. The object of the leaders 
of the rebellion w^as to raise themselves to power by building up 
a slaveholding oligarchy, as oppressive to the mass of the white 
population as to the black. 
39 



304 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

Many of the heroes of the Eevolution had lived to see the fruit 
of their toils and sacrifices, in the prosperity of their country. 
They had seen the nation in her rapid march of improvement and 
civilization, occupying a proud position among the nations of the 
earth — teaching the votaries of freedom throughout the civilized 
•world, that liberty was conducive to national prosperity and 
greatness. But these sainted patriots had passed off the stage, 
leaving a people enjoying greater blessings than had ever before 
fallen to the lot of any nation ; and we, their descendants, born 
to this rich inheritance, had almost forgotten the sacrifices with 
which this vast patrimony was pmxhased. 

The present generation considered their freedom secure. They 
saw the nation moving forward with gigantic strides, and oin* flag, 
respected in eveiy part of the habitable earth ; and knowing we 
had nothing to fear from any foreign power, and deeming the 
Union of the States perpetual, they had suffered the idea of mil- 
itary defence to pass almost into oblivion. They had heard 
the threats of dissolving the Union, but they regarded them as 
the idle vaunting of the reckless few, scarcely worthy of a mo- 
ment's consideration. And when they saw a few factious leaders 
of a restless and disappointed minority, quitting their seats in 
Congress for no other conceivable reason, than that they were 
out-voted at the polls, they could not believe that they would 
dare to raise a parricidal hand against the country which bore 
them. Such was the confidence of the great mass of the people 
in the permanence of the Union, and the love of country which 
prevailed even at the South, that they could hardly dream of 
taking up arms against their southern brethren ; fondly believing 
that decrees of secession, like paper blockades, would prove per- 
fectly harmless in the end. And it was not till the air rever- 
berated with the thvmders of the artillery opened upon Fort 
Sumter, that the mass of our people realized that there was any 
occasion for buckling on their armor in defence of their rights. 
The same telegram which brought the news of the fall of Sumter, 
was freighted with a call for seventy-five thousand men. Unpre- 
pared as they were, the call met a hearty response from the people, 
which showed that the fire of patriotism, which had been buried 
among the cares and bustle of business, had not expired. An 
impulse like that which went out from Lexington in 1775, seized 



FROM THE YEAR 1830 TO 1867. 305 

the public heart, and the whole community resolved that our glo- 
rious Union should be sustained at every hazard. 

Towns vied with each other in their efforts to send men into 
the field ; and the young men were ready to enroll themselves 
for the defence of their country. As might be expected in any 
sudden emergency, when all that wc hold dear seemed to be at 
stake, some of the efforts made in pure patriotism, were not 
wisely considered, and hence partially failed of their object. 
But the spectacle was truly grand ; and one which should have 
taught the rebels the hopelessness of their cause, and the nations 
of i^^urope the strength and permanence of our institutions. To 
see a people bred to the arts of peace, and actively engaged in 
business pursuits, start up as one man, and devote all their 
energies to the preservation of the Union, is a spectacle truly 
sublime — showing that the present generation are worthy of 
their patriotic sires, and that the love of liberty which glowed 
in the breast of our fathers, was not quenched in the bosoms of 
their sons. This rising of the people displayed in striking con- 
trast, the baseness of the slavery-loving rebels of the South, 
and the noble spirit of the free sons of the North. 

Fort Sumter was attacked on the 12th of April, and taken 
possession of on the 14th. On the 15th of April, 1861, the 
President issued his proclamation, calling for troops. Several 
regiments in ^lassachusetts responded at once to the call. 
Though Lexington, like most of the country towns, had no 
organized company, several of our young men volunteered and 
enlisted in companies out of town which were under marching 
orders. An effort was made to raise a company in Lexington ; 
but there being no manufacturing or other business to retain the 
young men in the place, it was found difficult to obtain a full 
company in the town, and hence they united with a neighboring 
town, in the hope of gathering a full company. While this effort 
was being made, a town meeting was held, at which it was 
unanimously voted to appropriate the sum of four thousand dol- 
lars to aid the cause ; and a large Committee was chosen to 
disburse the same, as far as might be necessary, to encourage 
enlistments, and supply the wants of the families of those who 
should enter the service, for the period of three months — that 
being the only term then required. But immediately after tliis 



306 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

appropriation, and before the company Avas full, the President 
announced that no more three months' men would be accepted ; 
but that all volunteers must enlist for three years. In the mean- 
time the State Legislature assembled and passed an Act confirm- 
ing contracts already made by towns in aid of enlistments, and 
virtually prohibiting such appropriations in future. This changed 
the Avhole state of aflairs ; and the company nearly filled, not 
choosing to offer themselves for a three years' service, the Com- 
mittee felt constrained to confine their expenditures to tlie amount 
alread}' contracted for. The sum actually expended for clothing, 
drill-officers, and supplying the families of the soldiers in service, 
amounted to about six hundred dollars ; and the Committee in 
their Report submitted to the town, and recorded upon the town 
book, say : — "In view of the whole subject, the Committee 
believe that the money by them disbursed, has, under the 
peculiar and exciting state of things under which they have been 
called to act, been expended in such a manner as to aid the great 
cause we all have at heart, by contributing to the comfort of the 
gallant men who have entered the service, and of the iamilies 
they have left behind them." 

Under the novel state of things which existed at the breaking 
out of the llebellion, and with the patriotic enthusiasm of the 
people, it is not strange that eri'ors were committed, and unwise 
expenditures made in very many cases ; but the town records of 
Lexington show, that while she had patriotism enough to make 
a generous appropriation to encourage men to enter the service, 
and to provide for the comfort of them and their families, she 
had at the same time wisdom and prudence sufficient to guide 
her emotions, ^nd to expend no more than seemed to be con- 
ducive to those ends. 

While some of our neighboring towns, at the commencement 
of the war, expended thousands of dollars in a way which they 
themselves at a later period, saw to be fruitless, Lexington can 
look back upon her early expenditures with a conviction that they 
were judicious, and that the balance of the appropriation was 
more wisely and usefully applied at a later period, than it could 
have been during the first six months of the war. 

But the effiarts of the town and the liberality of her citizens 
did not stop here. On the 2d of July, 1862, the people were 



• FROM THE YEAR 1830 TO 1867. 307 

called together, " To see what measures the town will adopt in 
relation to furnishing the town's quota of soldiers, under the call 
of the President of the United States." 

The people having convened, the following preamble and vote 
were adopted : 

" Whereas, tlie present alarming state of the country requires tliat large 
reenforcements should be sent forth without delay, to sustain our gallant 
soldiers now in the field, and to put down the existing unrighteous rebel- 
lion ; and as the devoted President of the United States, in the discharge of 
his official duty, has made an appeal to tlie patriotism of the people, and 
the Governor of the Commonwealth, prompt to every such appeal, has 
designated the quotas of men required of every town : — Aiid u-liercas the 
Town of Lexington was the first to seal her devotion to free<lom and equal 
rights, in 1775, and the blood of her slaughtered citizens cries to us from 
the ground, to sustain the cause in which they offered themselves a living 
sacrifice ; and as every citizen is under the most sacred obligations to bear 
his share, if not of the perils, yet of the burdens and sacrifices of this 
righteous contest, and is bound to encourage, support, and sustain those who 
obey their country's call, and manfully enroll themselves in defence of our 
dearest rights and privileges ; — It is therefore, in open Town-meeting 
legally called for the purpose, 

" Voted unanimoiishj. That a bounty of one hundred dollars be offered 
to each and every patriotic soldier who will volunteer into the service of the 
United States, for the period of three years, unless sooner discharged, to 
fill the quota of twenty men required of this town," 

Under the above vote ticenty men, the town's full quota, were 
enlisted, and the sum of two thousand dollars Avas paid to the 
soldiers. 

Soon after, a call was made by the President for nine months' 
men, and the quota of Lexington Avas thirty-one. The town, 
at a meeting called for the purpose, on the 29th of August, 
voted a bounty of two hundred dollars. This quota was promptly 
filled by enlisting i\nvij-tivo men, — five of them for three 
years. Under this vote the town expended six thousand two 
hundred dollars. 

At a subsequent meeting, the town made ample provision for 
the support of the soldiers' families beyond what was allowed 
by the State, and requested the Assessors to abate the poll tax of 
all soldiers in the service. 

In addition to the sum granted by the town from time to time 



308 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

to pay the bounty for recruits, individuals subject to military 
duty, and otliers not subject to such duty, contributed freely to 
the same object. All such sums, however, were reimbursed 
by the town, so that the cost of procuring soldiers, except 
some incidental expenses, was ultimately paid by the town. 
Ilammon Reed, Esq., Chairman of the Selectmen, in his report 
in 18G6, states the amount paid by the town for procuring 
soldiers during the rebellion, 'exclusive of the expenses of town 
officers, at $25,692. To this amount may safely be added for 
the sum paid to the families of soldiers, beyond what was reim- 
bursed by the State, and for other incidental expenses, $1,500 — 
making the gross sum of $27,192. The Selectmen also state 
that the town had furnished, including re-enlistments, two hun- 
dred and forty-four soldiers, being nine more than the town's 
quota. 

In addition to this there were two organized sewing societies 
working for the hospitals, which sent forward a large amount of 
clothin}; and stores for the benefit of the sick and wounded. 
Lexington also furnished one hospital nurse, ^ whose services were 
scarcely surpassed by any of that class of self-sacrificing ladies, 
who submitted to every hardship, and encountered every danger, 
to relieve the sufferings of the patriotic defenders of our free 
institutions. As much true moral courage was required to brave 
disease in the hospitals, as bullets in the field. Lexington fur- 
nished two hundred and forty-four soldiers and seamen, being 
nine more than her quota, and we believe that none of them 
brought any dishonor upon the town. And though Lexington 
at the commencement of the rebellion had no military company, 
and consequently her citizens could commence with no military 
jjrestige, yet their record was creditable to themselves and the 
place they represented. Two^ of our citizens entered the 
service as Captains; one"' as second Lieutenant, and became a 
Lieutenant Colonel ; one "^ as a private and became Assistant- 
Adjutant General with the rank of Captain ; one ^ who went out 
a non-commissioned officer rose to be Major and Commissary of 
Subsistence ; one ^ w^ho went out as a private rose to the rank of 

' Mrs. Mary Olnhausen. See Phinney Family. 

' Charles R. Johnson, and William Plumer. * John W. Hudson. 

* Charles A. Gould. * Loring W. Muzzey. " Jonas F. Capell. 



FROM THE YEAR 1830 TO 1SG7. 309 

Captain and Major by brevet ; and one ^ who went out us a 
private rose to the rank of Quartermaster. Several others 
became warrant officers while in service. 

Such in brief is the military record of Lexington during- the 
slaveholders' rebellion — and of this record no intelligent citizen 
need to be ashamed. Lexington has been true to herself, and 
true to the great principles of civil liberty. She has contributed 
her share to sustain those institotions which resulted from the 
American Revolution, the opening scene of which was performed 
within her limits by her own citizens. 

When the late unholy rebellion was substantially brought to a 
close by the capture of the rebel armies, and the people of the 
free States were filled witli rejoicing at the glorious event, the 
nation was suddenly thrown into a state of consternation by the 
tidings of the assassination of our excellent President, who had, 
with so much wisdom and patriotism, conducted us successfully 
through the war ; and as soon as the first feehng of surjirise had 
subsided, the emblems of rejoicing were displaced by the insignia 
of mourning. The flags which were thrown to the breeze in 
honor of ovu' victories, were lowered half-mast as a token of 
the nation's grief; and the loud huzzas that were echoing 
through the air gave place to sighs and lamentations ; and the 
thousand bells which were resounding in joy and gladness, ceased 
their merry peals, that they might toll in unison with the sad 
laments of the people. Everywhere throughout the free States, 
a solemn silence reigned, and the whole community felt that the 
country had met with an irreparable loss. All parties, with one 
accord, were ready to testify to the worth of the departed states- 
man, and to do honor to his memory. 

The 19th of April, a day dear to every citizen of Lexington, 
was set apart for the funeral solemnities at Washington ; and the 
people throughout the country were invited to observe the day 
in some appropriate manner. The people of Lexington assem- 
bled at the church of the first parish, which was suitably draped 
with the insignia of mourning, and appropriate services were 
performed in the presence of a large and sympathizing assembly. 
Rev. L. J. Livermore, assisted by Rev. Mr. Savage, conducted 

' George E. Muzzey. 



310 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

the devotional exercises ; Eev. William T. Stowe delivered an 
ajipropriate address; Charles Hndson, from acquaintance Avith 
the deceased, spoke of his personal character and moral worth ; 
and further remarks were made by Ilev. Caleb Stetson. The 
occasion was one of peculiar interest, and the assembly retired 
with a full sense of the nation's loss. 

We cannot close this part of our history without recognizing 
the hand of God in the trying scenes through which we have 
passed. Not only the result of the rebellion, but the means 
employed, show an over-ruling Providence. Slavery, the foul 
blot upon our national character, had become so interwoven into 
the texture of southern society, and had so far demoralized the 
southern heart, that nothing but some great convulsion in the 
social system could wipe out the stain. Under God this crying 
evil has been the gi'cat instrument of eradicating itself. Slavery, 
by hardening the heart of the masters, and filling them with a 
haughty, vain ambition, led them to attempt the overthrow of 
our free institutions, that they might raise themselves to poAver, 
and rule with despotic sway over a confederacy whose corner 
stone was African servitude. This wicked attempt to degrade 
and debase four millions of God's creatures — this treacherous 
effort to overthrow the Government they had sworn to support, 
and on whose bounty many of them had fattened, showed that 
the measure of their iniquity Avas full, and that they Avere ripe 
for an overthrow. They Avaged a cruel war that they might 
extend and perpetuate slavery, and thereby keep themselves in 
poAver. But, short-sighted mortals ! your vain attempts to 
attain an unholy end by treacherous means, have proved your 
ruin ! lie that rules in the armies of heaven has overruled your 
ambition for good, and made your attempt to sustain slavery 
the means of its ovcrthroAV ! 

Whoever reads the history of this rebellion aright, Avill see 
an all-Avise Providence restraining the ambitious designs of 
unprincipled men, and turning their base instrumentalities 
against them. Their bloody massacre at Fort PilloAV, by Avhich 
they fondly hoped to dissuade the blacks from entering the 
army — their more than savage cruelty at Belle Isle and Ander- 
sonville, by Avhich they hoped to thin the ranks of the Union 



FROM THE YEAR 1830 TO 1867. 311 

armies by starving their prisoners to death, or so reducing them 
to skeletons, that they would be unfit for service if exchanged, 
only aroused the indignation of the lovers of our free institu- 
tions, and called our brave men to the field. Yes, the innocent 
blood wickedly shed at Fort Pillow, cried from the ground 
against them ; and the feeble moans of our starving prisoners in 
those wretched pens, under the very eyes of the rebel govern- 
ment, were heard on high, and drew down the withering frowns 
of the Kighteous Ruler of the universe. 

On the other hand the Lord raised up a man to guide the 
nation through this fiery trial, and bring this war to a happy 
termination. In Abraham Lincoln we had the statesman, the 
patriot, and the Christian ruler, tliat the crisis demanded — a 
man of the people, who knew their Avants, feelings, and senti- 
ments, and who was ready at all times to carry out their views, 
agreeably to the genius and spirit of our admirable form of 
government. Had he been a modern Ca\sar, or a second Crom- 
well, guided by his own personal ambition, we might have had 
more sanguinary battles, and perhaps more brilliant victories. 
But we should have had a divided North, and probably we should 
have found it more difficult to dispose of our Chief, after the 
war was over, than we did to dispose of the rebels while the war 
was raging. Or had he been a narrow, conceited man, who 
obstinately disregarded the popular will, and vainly supposed 
that he showed his greatness by denouncing and attempting to 
baffle the co-ordinate branches of the government, we might have 
been at the present day in the midst of a desperate struggle, the 
scorn and jest of the civilized world. 

But, by the mercy of God, we were blessed with a truly 
republican President, who knew the nature of our institutions, 
and fully realized that he must obey the jiublic will. While he 
felt it his duty to lead and direct public opinion, as far as practi- 
cable, he was fully sensible that any attempt to resist it, or to go 
far in advance of it, would be fruitless. This fact is fully sus- 
tained by his course in relation to the abolition of slavery. He 
knew the antagonism between freedom and slavery ; he knew 
that when the exigency should arise, he had the power by the 
law of nations, to proclaim the slaves free. But as the wliole 

matter lay in his discretion, he did not think it wise to take this 
40 



312 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON 

Step till the public mind was educated up to this point ; so that 
when sucli a measure should be adopted, it would be fully sus- 
tained both at home and abroad. He consequently apprised the 
public in advance, that at the expiration of one hundred days, 
unless the rebels should lay down their arms and submit to the 
laws of the Union, he should, in virtue of the war power, pro- 
claim "liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to 
those that were bound." 

By this prudent delay, this educating the jx^ople up to his 
position, he was able to issue that immortal Emancipation 
Proclamation, with the approbation of the community. In this 
manner he brought about this mighty change without any con- 
vulsion in the public mind. This gTcat fountain of iniquity was 
broken up without pr-oducing a ripple upon the surface of public 
sentiment. In taking this bold and important step, he carefully 
studied public opinion and the indications of divine Providence. 
On being urged by an ardent friend in the early part of the war 
to abolish slavery, he made this characteristic reply: ^'^ I have 
considered this subject prayerfully, and find that while you and 
I have been in a huiTy to abolish slavery, the Lord is not ; and 
I think it wise to wait his time." 

President Lincoln acted so wisely, and so in accordance with 
the spirit of our institutions, that we have, in a manner, the 
endorsement of the Supreme Ruler upon our form of govern- 
ment. If we were asked, who put down the rebellion, we could 
answer in the very language of the Preamble of the Constitu- 
tion, "We, the people of the United States." The people have 
put down the rebellion agreeably to the genius of our govern- 
ment, by the agent of our own choice, the heaven-appointed 
Lincoln. Nor does this detract from the worth of the man or 
the value of his services. On the contrary, it shows that his 
talents, his integrity, his abiding trust in an over-ruling Provi- 
dence, exactly fitted him for the crisis, and so enabled him to 
work out a mighty deliverance for his people. 

The American people with one accord have denominated 
George Washincjton, the " Father of his Country," and 
admiring nations have confirmed the designation. And the 
future historian, when he narrates the events of the late rebellion, 
will place Abraiiaji Lincoln in the same galaxy of illustrious 



FROM THE YEAR 1830 TO 18G7. 313 

men with Wasliington ; and as the former is the achnowlcdiied 
"Father," so the hitter will be the admitted "Saviour of ins 
Country." The nanics of Washington and Lincoln will go 
down to posterity, and their memories will be cherished by every 
lover of freedom and eqnal rights. Washington, in pnre 
patriotism, and with Christian fortitude, labored to resist the 
encroachments of foreign tyrants, and to build up free institu- 
tions in his native land ; Lincoln, with like patriotism and forti- 
tude, labored to repel the assaults of domestic traitors, and to 
defend these institutions, so that the land of his birth might 
enjoy the blessings of perpetual and universal freedom. And 
though Lincoln, by the order of Providence, had no opportunity 
to participate in the important work of organizing our civil insti- 
tutions, he enjoyed the privilege of blotting out the only foul 
stain which deformed the work of our fathers. Lincoln's Proc- 
lamation of Emancipation, which burst the bands of slavery, 
and set four millions of human beings free, reflects the highest 
honor upon his character, and will mark an epoch in the world's 
history as important as that of Magna Charta or the Declaration 
of Independence. 



CHAPTER XII. 

ECCLESIASTICAL IIISTOIIY, FROM 1692 TO THE DEATH OF 
Mil. HANCOCK. 

The Incorporation of the Precinct — The Establishment of the Gospel ^linistry 
— The Gathering of a Church, and the Ordination of their First Minister — 
The Death of Mr. Estabrook, and the Settlement of Mr. Hancock — Settle- 
ment and Death of his Son Ebenezer — The Services, Character and Death 
of Mr. Hancock — His Publications. 

As our fathers came to this, country to establish a religious 
commonwealth, and to set up institutions fovmded on the great 
priuci[)le of accountability to God, no history of their settlement 
can be perfect or complete, Avhich does not treat of their ecclesi- 
astical affiiirs. These are so intimately connected with their 
civil and political history, that it is difficult in some cases to say 
•where the one ends and the other begins. By the early laws of 
this Province, every tract of territory which was erected into a 
town, was by the same act constituted a parish. Standing in 
this double relation, most of the parochial business was trans- 
acted in town meetings. It was generally in the town meetings 
that votes were passed for building meeting-houses, settling min- 
isters, and providing for their support. These measures are so 
nearly associated with the municipal affiiirs of the towns, and 
the same individuals being voters both in the town and the 
parish, that we shall not attempt to draw any distinct line of 
separation between the parochial and the municipal. Under the 
head of " ecclesiastical history," we shall not treat of those pub- 
lic acts performed in town meetings, such as building and repair- 
ing houses of worship, but rather present the spiritual condition 
of the people, the character of their religious teachers, and the 
acts pertaining to the church, as an organization distinct from 
that of the parish. 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 315 

For about forty years after the first settlements Mere made in 
what now constitutes Lexington, the people were destitute of 
a minister, whom they could call their own. The territory 
belonging to Cambridge, and most of the settlers being from 
that town, and many of them being members of the church in 
that place, they would naturally adhere to the old society, imtil 
the demand for a separate organization should become pressing. 
It appears also that the people of Cambridge proper were 
anxious that those who had removed to the "Farms," should 
continue their relationship Avith the parent church. But as the 
inconvenience to the settlers was great, they desired to establish 
a ministry of their own, and to manage their own affairs as they 
pleased. As early as 1G82, James Cutler, Matthew Bridge, Jr., 
David Fiske, Sen., Samuel Stone, Sen., Francis Whitmore, 
John Tidd, Ephraim A\ inship, and John Winter, some of the 
leading and responsible citizens of the Farms, petitioned the 
General Court for an Act constituting them a distinct parish. 
This step was taken, not from any hostility to the old society or 
church, but from the great inconvenience of going from five to 
ten miles to attend public worship. The great unwillingness on 
the part of Cambridge to have this secession from their church, 
defeated, or rather postponed the measure for about ten years. 
In 1G91, it was ordered by the General Court "That the peti- 
tioners be permitted and allowed to invite and settle an able 
and orthodox minister for the dispensing of the Gospel among 
them." 

Immediately after obtaining an Act of incorporation as a pre- 
cinct, measures were adopted to carry into effect the object they 
had in view. A subscription was at once started for the erection 
of a house of worship; and early in the season of 1692, the 
edifice was erected. On the 22d of April, 1G92, Mr. Benjamin 
Estabrook, who had probably preached for them some portion 
of the preceding year, was invited to continue his labors with 
them till IMay, 1G93, and provision was made for his suj^port. 
Small as were their numbers, and limited as were their means, 
they resolved to place themselves in a position, where they 
should be able in future to give a liberal support to those who 
should become their spiritual guides. In April, 1G93, they pur- 
chased of the town of Cambridge, for this purpose, " twelve 



316 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

acres of common land on the east side of the causeway, and the 
rest of tlie common hmd on the other side, and on the south side 
of Vine Brook ]Meadow." This hmd was subsequently surveyed, 
and was found to contain one hundred and forty-eight acres. 
Though this purchase cost the parish at first but eighteen pounds, 
it laid the foundation for a ministerial fund, which has proved 
amply sufficient to support a minister. This land was purchased 
by the parish, and paid for by a tax upon all within the 
precinct. 

When Mr. Estabrook's year expired, the people gladly reen- 
gaged him ; and such was their attachment to him that in the 
summer of 1694, they built and gave him a house on condition 
of his becoming their pastor and continuing Avith them.' Their 
pecuniary embarrassments however were such that they made 
but slow progress in preparation for his permanent settlement. 
In April, 1696, they made their final proposition; and on the 
third of June following, Mr. Estabrook gave an affirmative 
answer to their call. His answer is recorded with so nmch sim- 
plicity, that Ave will transcribe it. " Mr. Estabrook was sent for 
to declare to the people, whether he did accept of the call of the 
inhabitants of this place, and whether he would abide with us to 
be our settled minister. His answer was, ' Yes, he would.' It 
was asked him how long. He answered, that so far as he 
knew, so long as he lived, it should not be his fault if he 
did not ; he had no intent to leave us ; and if he did leave 
us, he Avould repay the money expended for the building of his 
house." 

The call being accepted, and the day for the ordination fixed, 
it was agreed that a church should be organized at the same 
time. A committee was appointed to make arrangements for 
the ordination, and to " provide what is necessary for the enter- 
tainment of the magistral ministers and messengers of the church 
that day." 

Neither the church nor the parish records give us any inform- 
ation concerning the council, or the services on the occasion. 
But Judge Sewall, who was then present as one of the honored 
magistrates to take cognizance of the establishment of a new 
church, has the following in his manuscript Journal. — "October 

' Thu house was 42 feet by 18. It stood a few rods east of Vine Brook. 



ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 317 

21, 1696. A church is gathered at Cambridge, Nortli Farms ; 
no relations made, but a Cov'. signed and voted by 10 brethren 
dismissed from y^ churches of Cambridge, Watertown, AVoo- 
burn, and Concord, for the work. Being decLared to be a 
church, they chose Mr. Benjamin Estabrook y"" Pastor, who had 
made a good Sermon from Jer. 3. 15. ]Mr. Estabrook the 
Father managed this, having prayed excellently : Mr. Willard 
gave y^ Charge ; Mr. Fox the Eight Hand of Fellowship. 
Sung part of y® 48th from y"^ 9th v. to the end, — O God, our 
thoughts. — Mr. Stone and Mr. Fiske thanked me for my 
assistance there. Cambridge was sent to ; they had no Tcacli- 
ing officer ; they sent Elder Clark, Hastings, Remington." ^ 

The church which was gathered on that occasion, adopted a 
covenant founded on the broad principles of the Gospel, and 
avoitling those controverted doctrines which have often divided 
the churches. 

This covenant was signed by the pastor elect, and by David 
Fiske, Sen., Samuel Stone, Sen., John Russell, Israel Mead, 
Thomas Cutler, Sen., David Fiske, Jr., Samuel Whitmore, 
A^illiam Reed, John Merriam, Samuel Stone, Jr., and Thomas 
Merriam. 

The church ^vns further organized by electing John Merriam 
and Samuel Stone deacons. There was also added to the 
church during the nine months of Mr. Estabrook's ministry, by 
recommendations from other churches, the following persons : 
Seaborn Fiske, wife of David Fiske, Sen., Sarah Stone, wife of 
Samuel Stone, Sen., Elizabeth Russell, wife of John Russell, 
Elizabeth Winship, wife of Ephraim Winship, severally from 
the church of Cambridge ; Sarah Merriam widow, Sarah Fiske, 
wife of David Fiske, Jr., Dorcas Stone, wife of Samuel Stone, 
Jr., Mary Merriam, wife of John Merriam, severally from the 
church of Concord ; and Abigail Reed, wife of Capt. William 
Reed from the church of Woburn. There were also admitted 
on their own profession during Mr. Estabrook's labors, Joseph 
Simonds and his wife Mary, Matthew Bridge and his wife Abi- 
gail, Jonathan Poulter and his wife Elizabeth, Philip Russell, 
Joseph Stone, IVIary Winship, Abigail Cutler, wife of Lieut. 

' For this, and several other important facts connected with the history of 
the church, we are indebted to Rev. Samuell Sewall of Burlington, 



318 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

Thomas Cutler, Mary Johnson, Avifc of John Johnson, and 
Ruth Locke, AA'ife of Samuel Locke. 

Thus a church of thirty -three members was gathered in about 
nine months from the settlement of their first minister. This of 
itself shows the success with which his labors were blessed. 
The relation between Mr. Estabrook and his people was a happy 
one, and promised to be productive of much good. He had 
been with them several years before his settlement, and hence 
knew tlicm well, and Avas known of them. The relation of 
pastor and people, at all times solemn and endearing, had in this 
case a peculiar interest, having all the ardor of the first love. 
He Avas their first pastor, and they his first flock. It was the 
union of kindred hearts, given in early life ; and the happy 
fruits of this union show that the attachment had been mutual, 
and that the confidence on either hand had not been misplaced. 
Both parties were undoubtedly congratulating themselves on this 
new relation, and anticipating years of happiness and prosperity. 
But how delusive sometimes are hvmian hopes ! He Avhose wisdom 
is unsearchable, and Avhose ways are past finding out, saw fit to 
sunder these ties. On the 2 2d of July, 1697, Avhen he had 
completed only nine months of his ministry, he was called from 
his earthly labors. Thus was a young and confiding parish 
deprived of their first minister, and a young, devoted minister, 
torn from the people of his choice ! 

Rev. Benjamin Estabrook was son of Rev. Joseph Estabrook, 
of Concofd, who came to this country in 1660, and entered 
Harvard College, where he was graduated in 1664. He settled 
in Concord in 1667, where he remained till his death, in 1711, 
which was in the seventy-first year of his age and tlie forty- 
fourth of his ministry. Benjamin Estabrook was born February 
24, 1671,^ was graduated at Harvard, 1690, and commenced 
preaching in Lexington in 1692. In November, 1693, he 
married Abigail Willard, daughter of Rev. Samuel Willard, 
then of the Old South Church in Boston. Mr. Estabrook was 
highly esteemed by his people, and left the reputation of a pious 
and devoted servant of the Lord. Though he was only twenty- 
six years of age, when called hence, he had already established 

' Fcr a more full account of the Estabrook family, sec Genealogical Register 
in another part of this Aolumc. 



ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 319 

a reputation which gave promise of distinction in his profession. 
He was buried in Lexington, and his tombstone bears this 
inscription : 

Here lies interred the Remains of 

Mr. Benjamin Estabrook, 

Late and first Pastor of the Church 

OF Christ in this Place ; 

Son TO THE Rev. Mr. Joseph Estabrook, 

Pastor of the Church in Concord ; 

Who departed from us to Christ, 

July 22, A. D. 1697, 

Aged 26 years and 5 months. 

Virtus Anteit Annos. ' 

Immediately on the death of Mr. Estabrook, measures were 
adopted to obtain a candidate for settlement. A meeting was 
called November 27th, " to consider the procuring of some help 
in the ministry : Then there was made choyce of Mr. John 
Hancock to preach with us till May followinge, in order to further 
settlement. It was also agreed that Mr. Hancock should have 
eighteen shillings a weeke, and bare his own charges till May." 

Mr. Hancock commenced preaching at Cambridge Farms, 
December 12, 1697, and in February following, "It was voted 
by the majore part of y® people that were present, that Mr. 
Hancock should bee further invited to continue with us for a 
settlement, and Dea. Samuel Stone and Lt. David Fiske were 
made choyce of by y^ companye to traatte with INIr. Hancock 
about his settelling with us." 

It seems that the committee chosen to "traatte" with Mr. 
Hancock, were successful in their preliminaries at least ; for in 
March, 1098, says the record, "The sallerrye that was formerly e ' 
granted to y® Reverend Mr. Benjamin Estabrook, was a second 
time granted and confermed to Rev. ]\Ir. John Hancock." 

" It was alsoe voted that they will give the Rev. Mr. John 
Hancock four score pounds in moneye towards his settlement, y° 
one-half in y® yeare 1698, and y^ other half in yeare 1699." 

The preliminaries being settled, the church by " a unanimuse 
votte " proposed " to prosede to the ordination of Mr. Hancock, 
in convenient time," and the congregation on the 6th of Septem- 

41 



320 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

ber, 1G98, "votted without the church on the affirmative, — 
very fulhj — at a full mettinge." 

The second day of November, 1G98, was agreed upon for the 
ordination, and provision was made by the parish for the enter- 
tainment of the council. The further proceedings on the occa- 
sion we will give in the language of the church records, written 
by ]Mr. Hancock himself. 

" Five churches were sent unto to carry on the work of said 
day, viz : the South Church of Christ in Boston, the churches of 
Christ in Cambridge, Newtown, Concord and Woburn, — the 
elders and messengers appeared, and in the morning, Mr. Willard 
being moderator, they proceded, having made way for it, and 
earnestly emploring Heaven's blessing on the affiiirs of the day, 
unto ordination. Rev. JNIr. Willard giving the charge, and 
Rev. Mr. Joseph Estabrook, the right hand of fellowship ; — 
the elders of the other chui'ches assisted by laying on of hands."' 

Mr. Hancock being thus settled oyer the church and society at 
Cambridge North Precinct, continued their pastor till his death 
in 1752, having had a peaceful and prosperous ministry of /?/??/- 
four years. Rev. John Hancock was son of Nathaniel Hancock 
of Cambridge, (now Newton.) He was bora December, 1671, 
entered Harvard College in 1685, where he was graduated in 
1689. He was ordained, as we have already stated, November 
2, 1698. He married Elizabeth Clark, daughter of Rev. 
Thomas Clark, of Chelmsford, by whom he had five children — 
three sons and two daughters. 

Ebenezer, son of Rev. John Hancock, of Lexington, was 
born December 7, 1710. He was graduated at Harvard, 1728, 
and prepared himself for the ministry. He was a young man of 
great promise ; and received a unanimous invitation to settle at 
Sherborn, as successor to Rev. INIr. Baker. But the people of 
Lexington, fully impressed with his meek, unostentatious piety, 
and pleased with his easy manners and popular eloquence, gave 
him an earnest invitation to settle with them, as colleague with 
his father. Ebenezer did not long hesitate between these calls. 
The desire to aid his father in his declining years, induced him 
to accept the invitation of Lexington. The 2d day of January, 
1734, was fixed upon by the parties, and on that day Rev. 
Ebenezer Hancock was solemnly set apart as a co-laborer with 



ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 321 

his father in the ministry of Christ. Seven churches were 
invited to take part in the ordination, viz : the church of Christ 
in Weston, the two churches of Watertown, and the churches 
of Newton, Cambridge, Medford and Bedford. Rev. Mr. 
Hancock, the father, preached the sermon, and gave the charge, 
and the Rev. Mr. Williams, of Weston, the right hand of 
fellowship. 

Though the son engaged ardently in the work of the ministry, 
for the two-fold purpose of promoting the cause of his divine 
Master, and of lightening the burden of his devoted and pious 
father, then upon the shady side of sixty-three, he did not live 
long to sustain his hoary hairs. Rev. Ebenezer Hancock died 
January 28, 1740, when he had just completed the sixth year 
of his ministry. He died greatly beloved and universally 
lamented, in the thirty-first year of his age. He was never 
mai'ried. 

Of the two daughters of Rev, John Hancock, we will simply 
say that Eliza., born February 5, 1705, married Rev. Jonathan 
Bowman, of Dorchester; and Lucy., born April 20, 1713, 
married Rev. Nicholas Barnes, of Bedford.^ 

Though Mr. Hancock was distinguished in his family, he was 
more distinguished for his own personal merit. He was very 
eminent in his day for wisdom, piety, and fidelity in the cause of 
his divine Master ; and for a happy talent at preventing discord, 
and healing animosities among his people. And from a great 
respect for his age, services, gravity and dignified deportment, 
he was long honored with the appellation of Bishop. For 
nearly thirty years he was the senior minister in this part of the 
county of Middlesex ; had for many years presided in most of 
the councils for ordination within its bounds ; and had given the 
solemn charge to twenty-one ministers, the last of whom was 
the late Dr. Cushing of Waltham, at their induction into office. 
He had the reputation of being a peace-maker ; and his advice 
and fatherly counsel were frequently sought by the neighboring 
churches, and to them his decision was generally the end of 
strife. 

He was remarkable for his industry and devotion to his pro- 

' For a more particular account of the Hancock family, see Genealogical Reg- 
ister connected herewith. 



322 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

fession. He was early in the morning in his study, and early in 
the week at his preparations for the Sabbath. In this way he 
was always apparently at leisure, and ready to receive and enter- 
tain all those whom his social habits called to his house. By 
being systematic and studious, he was always master of his own 
time ; and by being always industrious, he was apparently always 
at leisure. Ilis success in his profession is evidence of his 
fidelity. During his ministry, there were four hundred and 
forty-five added to the church by profession, and thirty-two by 
letters of dismission and recommendation from other chui'ches ; 
one hundred and eighty owned the covenant, and one thousand 
six hundred and thirty-seven were baptized. 

]Mr. Hancock was what might be denominated Calvinistic in 
his theology ; and yet his grasp of mind and acquaintance with 
the world, and his great good sense, made him liberal and chari- 
table to others. While his own mind was made up, and his 
own opinions formed, he was willing that others should adopt 
the same manly course, and judge for themselves. 

In his sermon at the ordination of his son at Braintree, he 
says, "Where there is so much work to be done, and work of 
such importance, it calls for diligence and fidelity. It is God's 
work, and must not be done negligently ; it is the soul's work, 
and must not be done slightly ; it is a great work, and of eternal 
consequences, and must be done faithfully. Unfaithfulness in 
the minister is more unpardonable than in another man, for 
hereby the cause of Christ, and the souls of men are betrayed. 
Who would make an unfaitliful person a ruler over his goods ? 
Let ministers learn their dependence both for assistance and 
success. The power that can furnish you unto this work, and 
give you success, is from above. 'Tis not from men, but from 
God. Men may pray over you, and put their hands upon you, 
and bless you in the name of the Lord ; but they cannot bestow 
the gift of the Holy Spirit upon you. They can confer orders, 
but they cannot convey grace." 

This extract shows the tone and spirit of his preaching, when 
young men are set apart for the ministry. We will give a 
specimen of his bold and manly preaching before the rulers of 
the Colony. It is from a public lecture delivered before the 
authorities. "I will speak unto great men, about what? Not 



ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 323 j 

about matters of state, but of religion. Not about tlieir farms 
or tlieir merchandise, but about their souls. Not about such 
things as are merely temporal, but about things which are 
spiritual and eternal. Great men are a part of a minister's 
charge, and must be addressed at proper seasons, and on proper 
occasions. The ministers of Christ are to take heed to all their 
flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made them overseers ; 
and the great mCn in some congregations, make up a consider- 
able part of the flock. It is the greatest pride and vanity that 
can be, for any to think themselves too great to be spoken to, 
about the duties they are to perform, or about their sins and 
their faults, that they may amend them. However, ministers 
must speak to them in the name of the Lord, whether they will 
hear or forbear." " Great men are not always good ; it would be 
well, it would be happy for all states and governments, if they 
w^ere. Indeed, they ought to be good, yea, to be the best of 
men ; yet many times they are the worst — scourges of the 
world, and plagues of mankind." 

There is another trait in J\'Ir. Hancock's character, which must 
not be passed over without notice. He was highly social ; not 
merely fond of society, but had a vein of humor or wit in which 
he would often indulge. This pleasant, facetious disposition, 
rendered his society interesting to the young, and so gave him a 
hold upon their affections, which few ministers ever enjoyed. 

Many anecdotes are related of Mr. Hancock, showing hisface- 
tiousness, and the great control he had over his people even in 
temporal affairs. Two neighbors could not agree upon the 
division line between their lands — each claimed more land than 
the other would yield. The dispute rose high, and a law suit 
was threatened. Mr. Hancock, hearing of the dispute, called 
the parties together, took them upon the gnound, and asked 
them to make their statements. When they had concluded, he 
took a stake and stuck it into the ground, and said, "there, 
neighbor A., your land comes to this stake; and neighbor B., 
don't you encroach upon your neighbor beyond that point." It 
is only necessary to say that this was the end of the strife. 
Such was the confidence reposed in him, and such the influence 
which he exerted over them, that his decisions were acquiesced 
in, though sometimes made without invitation or all the forms of 
law. 



324 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

It was custoraaiy in some of tlic early churches to have elders, 
as assistants to their pastors, in some of their duties, and some- 
times they officiated as teachers. There happened to be two 
members of Mr. Hancock's church who had an inchnation to fill 
such an office, and called upon Mr. Hancock to confer with him 
uj)on the subject. They stated to him that his labors were ardu- 
ous, and he somewhat in years, and they thought it might be 
some relief to him to have two elders chosen. Mr. Hancock 
told them that he thought well of the subject ; but expressed 
some doubt whether any persons could be found who would 
accept the position. To relieve his mind on that point, they 
modestly hinted that they might be induced to accept the place 
to relieve him. "Well," said Mr. Hancock, "I should be very 
glad to have elders chosen, and should rejoice to have such gen- 
tlemen as you are fill those positions. I suppose you know the 
duty of such officers?" "No," replied one of the gentlemen, 
" we do not ; but we know that you understand the whole matter, 
and could easily inform us." " Well," said Mr. Hancock, " the 
duties of elders have never heretofore been very well defined in 
the church, but latterly they have settled down to this — the 
younger elder is to brush down, and harness the pastor's horse, 
when he wishes to ride out ; and the elder elder is to accompany 
the pastor, when he goes out of town, and pay his expenses. I 
should like very well to have such officers chosen." The gentle- 
men being taken somewhat by surprise, let the subject subside, 
and made no further effijrt for the choice of elders. 

One of his brethren in the ministry, who knew him well, thus 
speaks of this turn of mind.^ 

" That facetious temper and turn of wit which were natural to him, and 
which some people of a different make might think abounded, he made a 
very good use of irt general, and it served to scatter the clouds of melan- 
choly that hung upon some people's spirits, and to stir up a pleasant cheer- 
fulness within them. He did thereby soften men's tempers, and correct 
their ill humors, and bring the fretful, the angry, and the revengeful, into 
a calm, peaceable, and forgiving frame. As you have had the reputation 
of being a peaceable people, I believe you will readily grant that it has 
been very much owing to the pleasant, prudent, and pacific counsels of 
your deceased pastor." 

' Discourses delivered at Lexington the Sabbath after the death of Mr. 
Hancock, by Mr. Appleton of Cambridge. 



ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 325 

Mr. Hancock had great wisdom and sagacity in nianaging tlie 
affairs of his parish. Though he was a close student, and a 
good biblical scholar, he did not confine his study to books 
alone. He mingled with his pceple, and so learned not only 
their wants, but their habits and turn of mind — the secret 
springs of action by which they were moved, and so was 
enabled to guide, and in a manner control them. Mr. Appleton 
bears testimony to this in the following passage : 

"He was eminently fitted for this place in its infant state, -when you 
were few in niimbei-s, and needed a man of such wisdom and prudence to 
advise and assist you in your outward and civil, as well as spiritual con- 
cerns. And I believe it will be allowed that but few people have had so 
great help, benefit and comfort of a minister in all respects, as this people 
have had in Mr. Hancock. Few ministers have been so much concerned 
in the various affairs of their people, as he was in yours ; and yet I never 
heard him tax'ed of being in the least a faulty busybody in other men's 
matters ; for you yourselves were so sensible of his wisdom, and the good- 
ness of his capacity, and readiness to direct and advise you, that as I have 
understood, you seldom or never engaged in any important or difficult 
affair without consulting him upon it." 

The wisdom of ISIr. Hancock is perhaps in nothing more con- 
spicuous than in the manner in which he met and controlled the 
great movement of his day, which was denominated new-light- 
ism. Nothing had occurred to awaken the church or to call 
forth its energies for a long period, and most of the clergy had 
fallen into a state of stupor. This condition of things excited the 
attention, and aroused the energies of such men as AVhitefield, 
and their new-light, as it was called, spread rapidly on both sides 
of the Atlantic. jNIany of our churches were excited, distracted, 
and rent asunder. Many of our clergymen, waking up from 
their slumbers, and seeing a little more interest manifested in 
matters of religion, fancied that the Gospel was about to be lost 
in the blind frenzy of the age ; and they declared a war of exter- 
mination against this new movement. Others caught the* fire, 
and without stopping to inquire whether it Avere a true or a false 
zeal, plunged into the whirlpool, and suflfered themselves to be 
carried in every direction by its blind eddies. The church at 
Concord was severed in twain, that of Medford was greatly agi- 
tated ; and others were more or less disturbed by this new order 
of things. Councils were called, books were written, and all 



326 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

the artillery of the church militant was put in requisition to 
oppose the spread of what some deemed a dangerous heresy. 

But in the midst of this commotion Mr. Hancock moved 
steadily forward, being aware that the religious as well as the 
natural world would have its seasons of refreshing as well as of 
drought ; and that what was looked upon as the work of the 
enemy, was but the natural result of the apathy into which the 
churches had fallen. Instead, therefore, of opposing this spirit 
of awakening in his society, he availed himself of it, gave it the 
right direction, and added many to his church. He was fully 
aware that these seasons of peculiar religious interest would 
come, and had, as early as 1728, added nearly eighty to his 
church in a single year. So, in 1741, and 1742, in the midst of 
this new-light movement, he made about the same accession to 
his church, and that without any foreign aid, or unnatural effort. 
"While some of the neighboring clergy were attempting to 
smother this religious feeling, and thereby stifle the sincere 
aspirations of pious souls, and others were fanning the flame, 
and thereby converting it into a Avild and dangerous conflagra- 
tion, Mr. Hancock, with truly enlightened zeal, was guiding 
this spirit of inquiry and feeling of devotion, and thereby aiding 
the cause of true religion. 

Not, however, that ]\Ir. Hancock was Avanting in manly inde- 
pendence. Pie knew and realized, that the pulpit had its rights, 
and that to secure these rights, he must recognize the rights of 
the pews. His intimate acquaintance with his people, his minute 
knowledge of their wants, their feelings, their infirmities, and 
even their prejudices, enabled him so to approach every subject 
of interest, as to obtain a candid hearing, and impress a salutary 
lesson upon his hearers. He did not dwell in the musty past, 
nor in the misty future. He was a man of the present ; ready 
however to study the past that he might obtain knowledge to 
guidc^him in the future. He was conservative, and at the same 
time progressive ; desirous of bringing about a reformation, -by 
implanting gospel principles in the heart. He was more emu- 
lous of being a faithful minister than a noted reformer — fully 
realizing the oft forgotten truth, that no reformation is abiding 
which flows not from Christian principle. With these views 
and with that great good sense obtained by an intimate acquaint- 



ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 32f 

ance with human infirmities, he availed himself of all the real 
advantages of the Whitcfield movement, without producing any 
of those convulsions which disturbed many parishes, and alienated 
those of the same household. 

We have already seen that Ebenezer Hancock, who was set- 
tled as a colleague to relieve his father, died after about six years' 
labor. His fiither, at the death of the son, was nearly seventy 
years of age, yet he continued for more than ten years to dis- 
charge the arduous duties of his office up to the Sunday before 
his death. And it was remarked by his cotemporaries, that he 
spoke with nearly the same firmness and vigor at the age of 
eighty, that he did at the age of forty. But the firmest consti- 
tution must yield ; the most devoted laborer must cease from his 
toil. We cannot better describe his sudden and unexpected 
death, than by copying from the title i^age of two discourses 
delivered at Lexington the Sabbath after his funeral, by Rev. 
INIr. Appleton, of Cambridge : — " Going to bed as well as usual, 
the night after the 5th of December, (1752,) and awaking some 
time after midnight with great pain in his stomach, died in a few 
minutes, in the eighty-second year of his age, and the fifty- 
fourth of his ministry." 

One thing which stands out prominently on the church records 
of that day, is the discipline of the church, evinced by the public 
confessions, which were made before the church and congrega- 
tion. That these confessions were not always eflfectual, appears 
from the fact that some of the members were arraigned the 
second time for the same offence. 

We have already seen that John Merriam and Samuel Stone 
were chosen deacons at the organization of the chm*ch, in 1696. 
Deacon Stone died 1703, and Samuel Stone, Jr., was elected in 
his place, in 1715. In the year following, Jose^ih Estabrook, a 
brother of their first minister, Rev. Benjamin Esfabrook, was 
chosen deacon. In 1727, on the death of Deacon IMerriam, 
Joseph Brown was chosen to fill his place. In 1733, Deacon 
Joseph Estabrook. died, and the church made choice of John 
Laughton, avIio, in 1744, was dismissed to the church in Har- 
vard ; and Joseph Estabrook, son of deacon Joseph, was chosen 
in his stead. He died, 1740. In 1743, John Stone and Joseph 

42 



328 msTORY or lexinqton. 

Loring were chosen to that office. The former died in 1762, 
and the latter in 1746. 

Rev. Mr. Hancock not only performed all the duties in his 
own parish, but was ofteji called to the neighboring towns, 
when they were without a settled pastor, to administer the ordi- 
nances to the destitute churches. In November, 1705, he was 
called to Groton, where he administered the Supper, and baptized 
twenty-four persons. Subsequently he baptized nineteen more 
in that town. The same year he administered the ordinance to 
sixteen persons in Chelmsford ; and during his ministry he bap- 
tized about fifty other persons in the neighboring towns, a list 
of which he preserved. 

Mr. Hancock appears to have been very accurate and careful 
in keeping a record of all his acts and doings ; but unfortunately 
the records of his marriages before 1750, are lost — a loss which 
is severely felt in preparing the genealogies of many of the early 
families of Lexington. 

Though Mr. Hancock preached on many public occasions, his 
only printed discourses are the following : 1. A sermon at the 
general election, 1722 — text, Luke, xxii. 25. 2. A sermon at 
the ordination of his son John, in Braintree, 1726 — text, Luke, 
xxiv. 49. 3. A sermon at the ordination of his son Ebenezer, 
in Lexington, 1734 — text, 2 Cor., i. 24. 4. A sermon at 
the public lecture in Boston, November 21, 1734, before his 
Excellency the Governor and the General Court — text, Jer., v. 
5. 5. A sermon at the ordination of Kev. Timothy Harrington, 
in Lancaster, November 16, 1748 — text, 1 Cor., ix. 19. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY, FROM THE SETTLEMENT TO THE 
DEATH OF MR. CLARKE. 

The Call and Settlement of Rev. Jonas Clarke — Introduction of Tate and 
Brady's Version of the Psalms — Mr. Clarke's Death and Character. 

The loss of such a pastor as Eev. Mr. Hancock, waa duly 
realized by his devoted- people. They not only showed their 
respect for his memory, but they decided promptly and with 
great wisdom, that they could best subserve the great cause to 
which he had devoted his long and active life, by embracing the 
first reasonable opportunity of settling another man. Conse- 
quently, at a meeting held May 18, 1753, they not only chose a 
committee to supply the pulpit, but instructed them to " make 
diligent inquiry after a suitable gentleman to settle." 

Realizing the importance of the subject, and remembering the 
teaching of their late pastor, that God would by his providence 
guide those who meekly called upon him for aid, before making 
the selection they appointed a day of " fasting and prayer," and 
invited the clergymen of the neighboring towns to meet with 
them on the occasion, to enlighten them by their wisdom, and 
aid them by their prayers. 

On the 19th of May, 1755, the town concurred with the 
church and extended a call to Mr. Jonas Clarke to become their 
pastor — offering him a salary of eighty pounds and twenty 
cords of wood, and one hundred and thirty-three pounds as a 
Settlement. The call being accepted, the ordination took place 
on the 5th of November, 1755. 

Between the death of Mr. Hancock and the settlement of Mr. 
Clarke, a period of about three years, six were admitted to the 
church by letters of dismission from other churches, four owned 



330 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

the covenant, and fifty-six were baptized. Two members were 
in the meantime dismissed to other churches. 

After the labors of a public servant as able and faithful as 
Kev. Mr. Hancock, and one who was so hijijhly esteemed by his 
people, and respected by the community at large, they could 
hardly expect to find a man who would come fully up to the 
same standard. And yet jNIr. Clarke entered upon the work of 
the ministr}^, and succeeded in meeting public expectation, so 
that in a few years he gained the entire confidence of his people, 
and acquired a reputation in the commimity, such as but few 
clergjTnen ever enjoy. He soon exhibited powers which were 
not to be circumscribed by the periphery of a parish, or confined 
to the ordinary routine of professional duties. 

After the settlement of Mr. Clarke, the cause of religion 
received a new impulse, twenty-seven being admitted to the 
church during the first year of his ministry. 

At a meeting of the church, April 20, 1756, it was voted 
unanimously to choose two deacons, and James Brown and 
Joseph Loring were elected. 

The aflTairs of the church went on prosperously under ]\Ir. 
Clarke, and nothing worthy of note occun-ed till 1766, when 
the church was convened to elect a deacon, and Jonas Stone was 
chosen. At the same time there was read a petition of twenty- 
four members to know the minds of the brethren relative to the 
introduction of Tate and Brady's version of the Psalms, together 
with a select number of Dr. Watts's Scriptural Hymns, to be 
sung in public, instead of the New England version of Psalms 
then in use. "After some debate upon the matter, the church 
voted to refer the consideration of said petition to Thursday, 
October 2d, next ensuing, — to which time the meeting was 
then adjourned." 

" At a meeting of the church in Lexington, by adjournment, 
October 2d, 1766, admitted Jonas Stone, by a letter of dis- 
mission from the church of Christ in llutland. Considei'ed the 
petition above mentioned, as read in the church meeting Septem- 
ber 4, 1766, and voted to introduce Brady and Tate's version of 
the Psalms, together with a collection of Dr. Watts's Scriptural 
Hymns, to be sung in public, instead of the New England ver- 
sion of the Psalms that has been in use among us." 



• ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 331 

The church voted by yeas and nays, and upon sorting and 
counting the votes, it appeared that there was a majority of 
three to one. 

"Voted also to elect some person to set the Psalm or tune, 
and lead in the singing for six Sabbaths next ensuing upon trial 
or liking, as a further attempt for regular and religious improve- 
ment in that part of divine worship." 

"The brethren then brought in their votes, from which it 
appeared that Kobert Ilarrington, Jr., was unanimously chosen 
to this service." 

The change of hpnn books in a religious society is frequently 
the cause of no little dissension and difficulty ; and what is true 
of the book itself, is more strikingly true of anything which 
relates to the sinoino:. Those who are blessed Avith a delicate 
ear for music, are said to be naturally sensitive in their feelings ; 
and Avhile they abhor anything like discord in their musical per- 
formances, they do not always banish it from the choir. But 
the society in Lexington, under ]\Ir. Clarke, appears to have 
been free from all difficulty of this kind. They seem to have 
been sensible that an improvement could be made by dropping 
the 1Sq,\y England version of the Psalms, and introducing the 
version of Tate and Brady, with selections from Watts. A 
slight comparison of these versions would show at once that they 
were influenced both by sound judgment and good taste. 

The New England version was prepared in 1640, by the 
leading divines of New England ; among whom Rev. John 
Eliot, Rev. Richard IMather, and Rev. Mr. Weld, were the 
most prominent in this work. When the several portions were 
versified, the whole was committed to Rev. Henry Dunster, 
President of Harvard College, and Richard Lyon, of Cambridge. 
The work reflects no great honor upon them as poets. 

This version was used generally by the New England churches 
up to about the time of which we are speaking. The earliest 
version used in the English churches, and also in the American 
churches, was that of Sternhold and Hopkins, which is said to 
be a very literal rendering of the text, but as an elegant versifi- 
cation is far, very far, from being what good taste would require. 
This perhaps led to the New England version, which was scarcely 
an improvement upon its English predecessor. There are stanzas 



332 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. . 

and even whole psalms in both that are actually barbarous, If 
not ridiculous. And hence we can pardon the English wit, who 
thus lampooned one of these versions : 

•' Stemhold and Hopkins had great qualms, 
When they translated David's Psalms, 

To make our souls full glad : 
But had it been poor David's fate, 
To hear us sing, or them translate, 

By Jove, 'twould 've made him mad." 

No wonder the thorough education of Mr. Clarke, and the 
good sense of his flock, made them desirous of getting rid of 
the old version, and of introducing one which would edify their 
souls without wounding their senses or corrupting their taste. 
But it seems that they were not satisfied with merely changing 
their psalm books. They elected a person "to set the Psalm or 
tune, and lead in the singing, as a further attempt for regular 
and religious improvement in that part of divine worship." 

Probably up to that time they had had what is generally 
denominated congregational singing, in which the whole assem- 
bly took part. The practice long prevailed in our New England 
churches of what was called " lining the hymn ; " that is, reading 
one or two lines and then singing them, and so on through the 
whole hymn. Tliis labor was generally performed by one of the 
deacons, and hence it obtained the popular designation of " dea- 
coning the hymn." The introduction of the present mode of 
singing in a choir, and of reading the hymn from the desk, was 
in many cases a very delicate subject, and one which gave great 
offence, especially to the deacons, who considered their preroga- 
tive invaded. This practice of reading a psalm or hymn by the 
line as they sung, probably originated in the scarcity of psalm 
books ; and the same practice prevails now, and for the same 
reason, in some parts of our country. The Sunday service in 
the capitol at Washington has been carried on in this manner 
until recently. 

A good anecdote, bearing upon this point, is related of the 
facetious Pierpont Edwards, of Connecticut, of whom it has 
been said that "he was of godly stock, but of devious inclina- 
tion." In Connecticut, where their parishes were formerly all 
territorial, and wliere there were two and even three in a town- 



ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 333 

ship, and some of them feeble ; the good people in one of these 
small parishes agreed to build a meeting-house. They erected 
it, and partially covered it with boards ; but owing to their 
limited means, and a dissatisfaction growing out of its location, 
they were unable to do more. The building in this situation 
stood exposed to the weather, till it became so dilapidated that 
"the rain descended and the winds blew and beat upon that 
house and it fell." By this time their old feud had subsided, and 
they resolved to build another church. The timber was collected 
and framed, and on the appointed day the building was erected. 
After the raising was over, the people collected in a group to 
sing a psalm, appropriate to all raisings, but particularly so at 
the raising of a church. Having no psalm book at hand, they 
looked around for some one who would be able without a book 
to repeat the appropriate psalm, and young Edwards, who 
happened to be present, was selected for that duty. He con- 
sented to perform that service, and repeated in a clear and dis- 
tinct voice the first two lines — 

«' Except the Lord doth build the house, 
The workmen toil in "vain." 

After singing these lines with becoming emotion, what was their 
confusion when they heard this wicked wight utter as the remain- 
ing lines of the stanza — 

•' Except the Lord doth shingle it, 
'Twill tumble down again." 

But nothing like this, it is presumed, ever occurred in the town 
of Lexington. The change of psalm books and the mode of 
singing was adopted without difficulty, and Mr. Clarke was so 
well pleased with the change that he entered in his diary — ■ 
"October 19, 1766, began to sing the new version of psalmg, 
and Dr. Watts's hymns." But the introduction of singing by 
the choir, and singing from the new psalm book, did not do away 
the practice of lining the psalm. This continued some fifteen 
years longer. 

In November, 1781, the church voted to dispense with reading 
the hymns by line in public worship, and chose Captain Daniel 
Harrington to lead the singing. In October, 1787, John Bridge 
and Nathan Reed were chosen deacons. 



334 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

Mr. Clarke died November 15, LS05, in the seventy-fifth year 
of his age, and the fifty-first of his ministry. He was born 
December 11, 1730, and was graduated at Harvard, 1752.^ 
During his ministry, three hundred and sixty-five were added to 
the church by profession, and ten by letters from other churches. 
Sixty-nine owned the covenant, and one thousand and sixty-nine 
were baptized. 

Few towns have been blessed with more distinguished clergy- 
men than Lexington, in the persons of Mr. Hancock and Mr. 
Clarke. They were both eminent for talents, for piety, for 
fidelity — for everything which could recommend the preacher or 
the pastor, the citizen or the man. And hence both were greatly 
esteemed by their people, and respected by the public at large. 
The aggregate length of their ministry was one hundred and four 
years. The influence of each of these clergymen was great, not 
only in the town, but in the community around them. It is not 
too much to say that Lexington owes its standing and character 
more to these eminent divines, than to any other men who ever 
resided within her borders. A history of Lexington, without 
the mention of Mr. Hancock and Mr. Clarke, would be as 
defective as a history of the Jewish Dispensation without the 
mention of Moses, or a history of the American Revolution 
without the mention of Washington. 

Mr. Clarke, was distinguished himself and in his family, as 
will be seen in the Appendix. Plis influence was felt in his 
parish and in the Colony. We have seen his devotion to the 
affairs of state ; but this did not lead to a neglect of parochial 
duties. There were no jars or difiiculties in his church or 
society ; everything went on smoothly, to the satisfaction of 
all concerned. Nor did this quiet arise from indifference, or 
inattention to the spiritual wants of his people. No minister 
was more faithful, or preached the Gospel with more fidelity. 
The additions to his church show that he preached with earnest- 
ness and power. The fact that under his guidance the young 
men in his society formed themselves into an association for 
religious improvement and edification, is the best commentary 
upon his religious influence. This society he cherished with 

' For a full account of his pedigree and family, see Genealogical Eegister, ap- 
pended to this work. 



ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 335 

special care, a§ he regarded it a safeguard to tlie young, and a 
nursery of the church. 

Mr. Clarke had a just appreciation of the ministerial office, 
as will appear from an extract from his sermon delivered at the 
ordiuation of Mr. Josiah Bridge, in East Sudbury, November 
4, 1761. Addressing the candidate, he said : 

" Dear Sir, as you now present yourself before God and his people, to 
take part of this ministry, we trust you do it, not as the horse rushes into 
the battle, without consideration, but as the result of the most serious, 
solemn, and prayerful deliberation. The office you take upon yourself is 
high and responsible, the work you are engaged in is great and arduous, 
the charge you are to receive important and solemn, and the account you 
must render of your stewardship at the last day, awfully strict and impar- 
tial. To magnify your office, to be faithful In your work, and to keep the 
charge you are to receive of the Lord, will therefore be your constant care 
and most ardent endeavor, as you desire to lift up your head and give up 
your account with joy in the day of Christ. Your sacred regard for the 
glory of God, and the honor of Christ, will excite ypu to make his Word 
and his Gospel the sole standard of your faith and practice — ♦ a light to 
your feet, and a lamp to your path.' And jealous of the liberty wherewith 
Christ has made you free, and willing that your brethren should freely 
enjoy the same, you will, we trust, never dishonor yourself, disgrace the 
ministry, or displease your Lord by receiving or imposing the schemes of 
fallible men, however great or good, as a rule of faith and practice." 

In doctrine, Mr. Clarke held the views which were generally 
prevalent at that day ; but he held them in meekness and charity. 
He was a pious and practical, rather than a denunciatory and 
controversial preacher. And he strove more ardently to make 
men follow the meek and lowly Jesus, than to array themselves 
under this or that leader. As a pastor he was faithful and 
devoted, as a Christian he was meek and resigned, bearing afflic- 
tion, of which he had a full share, with a patience and fortitude 
rarely excelled, firmly believing that the chastenings of the Lord 
were ordered in wisdom. As a man he was justly esteemed by 
all who knew him. Blessed with a social nature, and beino- 
attached to the people of his charge, he kept up an intimate and 
familiar intercourse with them, and was ever a welcome visitor 
at their houses. The old and the young were always pleased 
with his society ; for, to the dignity of the clergyman, which he 
never laid aside, he added the familiarity of a friend and the 

43 



336 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

conviviality of a companion. His journal, which he kept upon 
an interleaved almanac, shows that his house was a place of 
resort for the young and old of his parish, and for the clergymen 
and distinguished persons from abroad. His journal also shows 
his method in business, and his careful attention to the most 
minute affairs. The daily state of the weather, the occuiTcnce 
of remarkable events, the visitors who called upon him, the 
journeys he or any of his family performed, the visiting of the 
schools, the catechising of the children, the deaths in his parish 
and of distinguished individuals out of his parish, are all care- 
fully noted. Nor did the more domestic affairs escape his atten- 
tion — the ploughing of his ground, the gathering of his harvest 
— even the bringing in of his cabbages and squashes, the killing 
of a calf or a pig, and other matters pertaining to his household 
affairs, are set down — all going to show that while he was relig- 
iously devoted to his charge as a pastor, and to his country as a 
citizen, he did not neglect minor matters, or suffer the smallest 
interest to languish in his hands. 

He was a man of method and of industry. As a farmer, by 
care and good management he was able on a small salary to rear 
up a large family, cultivate his land, and to leave unincumbered at 
his death a farm of sixty acres. Nor did his devotion to worldly 
affairs lead him to neglect his religious duties. Rev. William 
Ware, a family connection of Mr. Clarke, informs us that he 
had seen a manuscript sermon of Mr. Clarke's, numbered 2,179, 
which would make an average o^ fifty-six sermons a year during 
his whole ministry at Lexington. When it is considered that 
his sermons would occupy a full hour in their delivery, fifty-six 
original sermons in a year must require great labor both of body 
and of mind. He also published several discourses.^ 

> Mr. Clarke's publications are : — 

1. A sermon preached to a religious society of young men in Lexington, 
1761 — text, Prov. i. 9. 

2. A sermon at the ordination of Rev. Josiah Bridge, in East Sudbury, 1761 
I — text, Luke x. 3 and 16. 

3. A sermon at the Artillery Election, 1768 — text, 2d Chron. xvii, 16. 

4. A sermon on the use and excellency of vocal music in public worship, 
1770— text, Ps, xlvii. 6, 7. 

6. A sermon delivered AprQ 19, 1776, with an Appendix containing a narra- 
tive of the events of April 19, 1775. 



ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 337 

His personal appearance was natuaally dignified and com- 
manding, and this was heightened in the desk by his clerical 
costume of gown, cassock, and hands, and a wig of immense 
dimensions and of snowy whiteness. He was also characterized 
by a neatness so extreme as to serve as a constant rebuke to the 
want of this graceful virtue in his people. His eloquence was 
of a commanding character. His voice was powerful and agree- 
able, and when excited by his subject, which was frequently the 
case, it extended beyond the bounds of the meeting-house, and 
could be distinctly heard by those in the immediate neighbor- 
hood. 

But ]Mr. Clarke, thou<>:h eminent as a divine, was something 
more than is usually implied in that designation. To his knowl- 
edge of the Scriptures and wliatever else is generally supposed 
to appertain to the' clerical profes^on, he added a knowledge of 
men, in their individual and in their associated capacity, and had 
broad and correct views of civil polity ; so that he might be 
denominated a statesman as well as a divine. But though he 
was distinguished in both these relations, he did not put these 
characters on and off at pleasure, assuming the one at one time, 
and the other at another. In him the divine and the statesman 
were coexistent — dwelling together in perfect harmany, prompt- 
ing at all times to deeds politicalbj religioits and religiously 
political. Consequently he did not sink the statesman when he 
acted the divine, nor the divine when he acted the statesman. 
His theology did not begin and end in certain abstract specula- 
tions upon the divine government in the narrow and restricted 
sense of that term. He knew that the Almighty Ruler of the 
universe, not only performed in his wiU in the armies of heaven, 
but among the inhabitants of the earth ; and that the great prin- 
ciples of the divine governments should be studied in their rela- 

6. A sermon at the General Election, 1781 — text, Ps. xlvii. 8, 9. 

7. A sermon on the death of Rev. Samuel Cooper, D.D., Brattle street, 
Boston, 1783. 

8. A sermon at the ordination of Rev. Joseph Estabrook, at Athol, 1787 — 
text, Jer. iii. 15, 

9. A sermon at the ordination of Rev. William Muzzy, in Sullivan, N. H., 
1798 — text, IstThess. ii. 4. 

In addition to his other labors, he wrote numerous state papers, of which we 
have spoken elsewhere. 



338 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

tions to civil society. He fully realized that man was created 
for society, and that many of his duties and obligations grew 
out of the relations which society imposed. Consequently, he 
viewed the study of human government as an important part of 
an enlicfhtened theological education. 

Entertaining these views, he never put off the character of 
the clergyman, but brought the solemn sanctions of religion to 
bear upon all purposes of state. With him, patriotism was not 
a blind attachment to one's own country, but a religious obliga- 
tion to the land in which we live. On this principle, he ani- 
mated our fathers to stand by the interests of the Colonies, as 
one of their highest duties. Regarding all true government as 
growing out of the great plan of the Almighty, and believing 
that form of government best, which approached nearest to the 
divine standard, he was one of. the most ardenf and active friends 
of liberty ; and did more perhaps than any clergyman in this 
vicinity to prepare the public mind for that sanguinary struggle 
which gave us a place among the nations of the earth. He was 
an intimate friend of Samuel Adams and John Hancock, and a 
fellow laborer with them in the cause of liberty. To his house 
they frequently repaired, where they always met with a most 
cordial welcome, and drew the fire of patriotism from the sacred 
altar of religion. His counsels are known to have had a great, 
and perhaps a controlling influence upon John Hancock, at a 
time when he was supposed to be in doubt relative to his duty. 

Mr. Clarke's character for patriotism was so well understood, 
that all the ardent friends of liberty used to frequent his house ; 
and they never left uninstructed, or unwarned with truly reli- 
gious, patriotic ardor. His patriotism being engrafted upon the 
holy principles of his religion, it was modest and unobtrusive, 
but as firm and as abiding as the source whence it drew its nour- 
ishment. However dark the dispensation, or gloomy the pros- 
pect, he was always cheered with the hope — nay, animated with 
the conviction, that if we wei^e faithful to the trust committed to 
our care, we should ultimately triumph. And though he was a 
man of peace, and would sacrifice everything but principle to 
preserve a filial regard for the mother country, when he witnessed 
her wanton encroachments upon our just rights, and her deter- 
mination to reduce us to a state of vassalage, he believed that it 



ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 339 

was our religious duty to raise the standard of revolt, and resist 
the attacks of the oppressor. 

That Mr. Clarke had just and enlightened views of the 
science of human government, and an ardent devotion to the 
great cause of justice and equal rights, will be seen by the fol- 
lowing extracts from his Election sermon, preached before His 
Excellency Governor Hancock and the Honorable Legislature, 
in 1781. 

" Were there no civil government, laws, or magistracy, for the preser- 
vation of peace, the guard of liberty, the protection of property and the 
defence of life, it is easy to see, and without the spirit of prophecy to pre- 
dict, what the event must be; that anarchy, confusion and blood, slaugh- 
ter, waste and destruction would soon take place in the earth. The weak 
would be devoured by the strong, the innocent, like righteous Abel, would 
become an easy prey to the vicious, abandoned, and ambitious ; and the 
longest sword must quickly determine the fate of mankind. Hence it 
appears, I had almost said to demonstration, that under God the supreme 
ruler, this wise institution of civil government, this richest of temporal 
blessings to mankind, takes its rise from necessity. 

" It is true common reason teaches the propriety, convenience points out 
the advantages, and all the social affections concur to urge the importance 
of civil government. But they would be at lettst a feeble safeguard to the 
peace and order of society, and would never have availed to establish gov- 
ernment over the lawless lusts of vicious, aspiring, or bloodthirsty men. 
It is necessity — necessity alone which combines men in society, and gives 
rise to civil government. This necessity, in a great measure at least, is 
founded in, and takes rise from the lust, corruptions, and vices of man- 
kind. 

" 'Tis not indeed pretended that any one man or number of men have 
any natural right of superiority, or inherent claim of dominion or govern- 
mental authority over any other man or body of men. All men by nature 
are free and equal, and independent in this matter. It is in compact, and 
in compact alone, that all just government is founded. The first steps in 
entering into society, and towards the establishment of civil government 
among a people, is the forming, agreeing to, and ratifying an original 
compact for the regulation of the state — describing and determining the 
mode, departments, and powers of the government, and the rights, priv- 
ileges and duties of the subjects. This must be done by the whole body 
of the people, or by leaders, or delegates of their choice. This right of 
the people, whether emerging from a state of nature, or the yoke of 
oppression, is an unalienable right. It cannot be disposed of or given up 
by a people, even though ever so much inclined to sell or sacrifice their 
birthright in this matter. 

*• While the social compact exists, the whole state and its membere are 



340 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

bound by it ; and a sacred regard ought to be paid to it. No man, party, 
order, or body of men in the state have any right, power, or authority to 
alter, change, or violate the social compact. Nor can any change, amend- 
ment, or alteration be introduced but by common consent. It remains, 
however, with the community, state or nation, as a public, political body, 
at any time, at pleasure, to change, alter, or totally dissolve the constitu- 
tion, and return to a state of nature, or to form a new government as to 
them may seem meet. These principles being admitted, it is evident that 
no man or body of men, however great or good — no nation, kingdom or 
power on earth, hath any right to make or impose a constitution of gov- 
ernment upon a free people. 

" Equality and independence are the just claim — the indefeasible birth- 
right of men. In a state of nature, as individuals, in society, as states or 
nations, nothing short of these ever did or ever will satisfy a man or a 
people truly free — truly brave. When opportunity offers, and power is 
given, it is beyond dispute the duty of the subjected nation to assert its 
native liberty, to shake off the foreign yoke, and maintain its equality and 
independence among the nations. 

" The principles of reason, the laws of nature, and the rules of justice 
and equity, give men a right to select their form of government. Even 
God himself, the supreme ruler of the world, whose government is abso- 
lute and uncontrollable, hath ever paid a sacred attention to this important 
right — hath ever patronized this interesting claim in the sons of men. 
The only constitution of civil government that can plead its origin as direct 
from heaven, is the theocracy of the Hebrews ; but even this form of gov- 
ernment, though dictated by infinite wisdom, and written by the finger of 
God, was laid before the people for their consideration, and loas ratified, 
introduced, and established by common consent, • 

*• A series of oppressive measures and lawless claims of arbitrary power, 
adopted and pursued by the Court of Great Britain in open violation of 
the most sacred chartered rights, aroused the spirit of liberty in the free- 
born sons of America to the highest pitch. And no other alternative being 
left them but the sword or slavery, these Colonies hesitated not a moment, 
but unitedly declared their choice of the former — greatly dared to he free ! 
The important die was cast — and the glorious era of liberty commenced. 
To Heaven the appeal was made ; and by Heaven the claim was sustained. 
That God who sitteth upon the throne of his holiness, the Governor among 
the nations, the patron of the injured and oppressed, hath pleaded our cause 
and maintained our right to freedom, equality, and independence ; and 
given us a name among the nations of the earth. 

"To rouse our attention, and to give a spring to the noblest exertion, 
may we not realize the greatness of the cause, and attend to the voice of 
our brethren's blood, who have nobly fought and bled in its defence.'' O, 
my fathers and brethren, all, all is yet at stake. All may yet be lost, if we 
rise not as one man to the noble cause. How inglorious must it be to fail 
at the last! Where then the pleasing scenes of liberty and independence! 
where the glorious foundations of safety and freedom which our civil con- 



ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 341 

stitution has laid! They vanish — they are gone — they are lost, lost for- 
ever. 

" But can this be the event? Shall this be the fatal end, the shameful 
issue of all the glorious exertions that have been made, of all the bitter 
sufferings that have been endured, of all the precious blood that hath been 
shed ? Is this possible ? Can it be ? Forbid it, righteous Heaven ! For- 
bid it, O my country! America rises indignant at the slavish thought. 
Her free-born sons are not so lost to the sentiments of liberty, the love of 
country, or the feelings of humanity, as to breathe the most distant idea of 
such a disgraceful end of this glorious contest. Nor can they ever be so 
debased as to retain a wish to survive the loss of liberty, or their country's 
independence. Much less to stand the tame spectators of the sacrifices 
that (in such a case) must and will be made of the noble patriots, wise 
counsellors, faithful rulers, brave commanders and illustrious heroes — and 
in fine of the best friends and the best blood of America, by the axe or 
halter, to satiate the rage, and glut the vengeance of a British conqueror! 
Or perhaps, that which is still more affecting and degrading, to be doomed 
to waste away the remains of a wretched life in poverty, chains, slavery, 
or a cruel imprisonment." 

These extracts from a discourse delivered wliile the war of the 
Eevolution was still raging — extracts, "which those who look at, 
will think too long, but those who read, will think too short " — 
clearly show that INIr. Clarke fully understood the nature of 
human government, and riglitly appreciated the prerogatives of 
rulers, and the rights and duties of the people. He was also 
fully aware that these rights and privileges must be guarded with 
care and watchfulness ; that freemen must not only know their 
rights, but must be ready at all times to assert and maintain 
them, if necessary, even by the sword. Instead therefore of con- 
demning war in all cases, and under all circumstances, he Avould 
rather sanctify it, and bring all military operations under the 
control of high religious principle. He had no sympathy for 
the display of mere brute force, but knew the Avortli of that true 
valor which struck for human rights — for liberty — for God. 

In a discourse delivered before the Ancient and Honorable 
Artillery Company, in 1768, he presents his views with great 
clearness and force. 

" Valor, or true fortitude, is that virtue by which men are enabled to 
preserve presence of mind, to possess themselves fully, think clearly, judge 
wisely, and act with calmness, firmness and resolution in times of great 
confusioa and tumult, in the midst of the most pressing dangers and per- 



342 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

plexing distresses. A virtue which excites to the noblest actions, stimu- 
lates to the boldest enterprises which reason dictates, judgment directs, or 
duty calls them to engage in. True valor is, therefore, to be considered 
as a moral virtue, having reason for its foundation, and religion for its 
encouragement and support. And where courage, valor, or fortitude has 
reason for its basis, and is encouraged, cultivated and supported by the 
principles of religion, it becomes a virtue of the highest rank, and prompts 
to the most heroic undertakings. And when properly employed in a cause 
worthy of attention, it enables men with a calmness and composure of 
mind to face the greatest dangers, to stand the severest shocks, to meet 
undaunted and serene the charge of the most formidable enemy, and all the 
horrors of war. The want of fortitude is always attended with disgrace 
and reproach, frequently with shameful defeat, and sometimes with total 
destruction. But Inspired with this virtue, a man may engage the boldest 
rival In arms, and perform the most glorious exploits." 

The various resolutions and instructions given to the Repre- 
sentatives of the town from time to .time, which are found upon 
the town records, and of which mention has been made, are all 
the handy work of Rev. Jonas Clarke. 

The faithful historian will always delight to do justice to 
modest, retiring merit, and to bring before the public a name 
which has slept in the musty records of the past. Considering 
his education in a profession somewhat removed from politics, 
his early settlement in a small country village, the scarcity of 
books at that period, and his habitual devotion to his parochial, 
and even domestic duties, it is remarkable that he should be so 
thoroughly versed in everything relating to affairs of state, and 
the rights and duties of men under what w^as then scarcely 
known to the world, a representative, constitutional government. 
When we reflect upon this in all its bearings, and find him, even 
when a young man, so ripe in the wisdom of statesmanship, we 
can say of him as Canterbury said of his new sovereign : — 

" Never was such a sudden scholar made ; 
Nor never youthful inexperience 
So soon did loose its seat, as in this man. 
Hear him but reason in divinity, 
And, all admiring, with an inward wish 
You would desire this man were made a prelate. 
Hear him debate of Commonwealth affairs, 
And you would say — it hath been all his study. 
Turn him to any course of policy. 
The Gordian knot of it, he will unloose 
Pamiliar as his gaiter." 



ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 343 

As Mr. Hancock and Mr. Clarke were both (listingnislied in 
their profession, and each of them labored in the vineyard of 
their Lord half a century, with eminent success, and eacli died 
greatly lamented by the people of the place ; and as the charac- 
ters of these eminent divines are not sufficiently known by the 
people of this generation, it is thought that some light may be 
cast upon the character of each by drawing a parallel between 
them. But, in the first place, we should clearly understand in 
what points they agree. No two clergymen out of Boston filled 
a larger space in the public mind, in their respective generations, 
than Mr. Hancock and Mr. Clarke. They were both men of 
distinguished talents, and ardent piety; of great industry and 
method iuvbusiness,^ and being well acquainted with the wants 
of their people, they were eminently successful in their calling. 

In theology, their sentiments were very similar, each taking a 
practical view of the religion they taught. They knew that the 
Gospel, though a scheme of salvation into which the angels 
desire to look, was adapted to the wants of men, and that the 
earth was the field in which to train men for the skies. Know- 
ing that religion was designed to fit men to dwell together har- 
moniously in heaven, they both strove to induce them to live 
peaceably on earth, as the best preparation for their ultimate 
abode. But while they both labored to make their people benev- 
olent, kind and peaceable as men and as citizens, they were not 
insensible to the higher aspirations and the immortal destiny of 
the human soul. Hence they labored to raise men above mere 
earthly things. In one word, though they taught a pure moral- 
ity, they did not rest in morality alone ; but added thereto an 
active, ardent piety. Another leading chara;eteristic in both of 
these servants of the Lord, was that of independence. Though 
kind and conciliatory, they were both open and frank in the 
declaration of their views, and their preaching was characterized 
by a boldness which plainly indicated that they preached not the 

' They fortunately lived before the days of clerical eflfeminacy, when many of 
our young ministers seem to claim the right 

" To have a vacation of six weeks or more, 
To visit Mount Washington's peak; 
To lounge at the Glen House, or bathe at the shore, 
And preach but one sermou a week." 

a 



344 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

pleasing words of man's wisdom, but the sublime truths of the 
Gospel which God had committed to them, and which they 
would proclaim, whether men would hear or forbear. 

Agreeing in so many particulars, and conforming so exactly 
to each other, and to the divine standard of a Christian minister, 
we can find few traits of character on which to institute a parallel. 
But yet it is believed that there are some points on which they 
differed, and the exact character of each will be best shown by 
the contrast. Though remarkable for their social qualities, in 
their intercourse with their fellow-men, ]Mr. Hancock had more 
pleasantry, and Mr. Clarke more dignity ; and while the former 
would more frequently unbend himself and indtdge in playful 
wit or humor, the latter would always come down to familiar 
companionship, but would never put off the character of the 
clergyman. This difference arose probably more from the tem- 
perament of the two men, than from any real differences of senti- 
ment. Of Mr. Hancock, it may be said that he had more art 
— more of what may be called management, than Mr. Clarke ; 
though in him it never degenerated into low cunning or craft. 
He was minutely acquainted with all the temporal affairs of 
his people, and here he exerted his influence to a very great 
extent, and generally, it is believed, for their best good. Mr. 
Hancock and Mr. Clarke were well acquainted with men and 
thinirs : but the former knew more of men in their individual 
character, and the latter in their associated condition. And 
hence tlie one was the best calculated to rear up a feeble parish 
in a new settlement, and the other to guide a rising State. Of 
intellectual power, — that creative energy of mind which originates 
and combines, which meets present emergencies and provides for 
future contingencies, the preference must be given to Mr. Clarke. 
If Mr. Hancock's vision was more .microscopic, Mr. Clarke's 
extended over a broader field ; so that the exact observation of 
the one, was more than compensated by the broader survey 
of the other. Mr. Hancock could meet the wants of the present, 
Mr. Clarke could anticipate those of the future. 

The training of Mr. Hancock's powers was on a scale more 
limited than that of INIr. Clarke's. The former circumscribed 
his powers to the wants of his parish, and the interests of the 
churches around him, where he exerted an almost vmbounded 



ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 345 

sway ; while the hitter entered upon a broader fichl, and brought 
his energies to bear upon the affairs of states and the destinies of 
nations ; and if his influence was not as controlling in his partic- 
ular sphere as his predecessor's was in his, it was only because 
the field was broader, and the rivals more numerous and distin- 
guished. ]Mr. Hancock's sphere of labor being more circum- 
scribed, and the themes of his contemplation being more common, 
his reputation will be less lasting than that of Mr. Clarke, who 
has left his impress upon subjects which will ever engage the 
popular mind. 

But it is unprofitable to pursue this parallel, and point out 
differences discoverable in these great and good men ; each of 
whom filled with fidelity the sphere in which he was placed. 
And as they were perhaps equally successful in the common field, 
that of the Christian minister, it may be true that if their circum- 
stances had been reversed, we should see as many of the charac- 
teristics of a statesman in Mr. Hancock, as were so eminently 
displayed by his distinguished successor. 

The remains of Mr. Hancock and Mr. Clarke, with their 
wives and several members of their fiimilies, were deposited in 
the same tomb in the Lexington graveyard, and one common 
stone marks their resting place. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 

From the Death of Mr, Clarke to the Present Day. — ^Ir. Williams invited to 
become the Pastor, and accepts — His Dismissal — Settlement and Dis- 
missal of Rev. Mr. Briggs — Ministry of Rev. Mr. Swett — Settlement and 
Death of Rev. Mr. Whitman — Ministry of Rev. Mr. Barrett — Ministry of 
Rev. Mr. Staples — Ministry of Rev. Mr. Livermore — Settlement of Rev. 
Mr. Westcott — Second Congregational Society — Labors and Death of Dr. 
FoUen — Ministry of Rev. Mr. Dorr — Ministry of Rev. ^Mr. Bridge — The 
Union Society — Settlement of Rev. Mr. Stovve — The Baptist Society and 
i^s Clergymen — The Universalist Society and its Clergymen — The Roman 
Catholic Church — The Orthodox Meeting House. 

After the death of Mr. Clarke, and before the settlement of 
his successor, a period of about two years, the church records 
are quite meagre. In August, 1807, Mr. Avery Williams was 
first heard as a candidate, and on the 8th of October, he received 
a unanimous invitation to become their pastor. He accepted the 
call, and was ordained December 30, 1807. Rev. Dr. Kendall, 
of Weston, preached the sermon ; Rev. Mr. Marrett, of Bur- 
lington, made the consecrating prayer, and Rev. Dr. Cushing, 
of Waltham, gave the charge. 

His health failing him, by the advice of his physician ]\Ir. 
Williams spent a winter at the South, but obtained no permanent 
relief. The parish supplied the pulpit during his absence and 
inability to preach. But when it became apparent that his pas- 
toral labors were at an end, by an arrangement with the parish, 
his connection with them terminated in September, 1815.' His 
ministry was a successful one. 

On the 31st of March, 1813, Mr. Williams preached a 
century sermon, which was published. This discourse is well 
written, and does credit to the author. It is a succinct and well 

' For a notice of his family, see Genealogy. 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 347 

digested sketch of tlie early settlement of the place. He pays a 
just tribute to the memories of his predecessors in the ministry, 
Mr. Hancock and jNIr. Clarke. The sermon shows careful re- 
search, sound judgment, and good taste, and reflects great credit 
upon ]\Ir. Williams as a gentleman of accuracy and talents. 
Such discourses are a valuable contribution to history. 

In 1819, both church and society extended an invitation to 
Mr. Charles Briggs to become their pastor. The invitation 
being accepted, the 28th of April, 1819, was agreed upon as 
the time for the ordination, licv. Dr. Richmond preached the 
sermon, and Rev. Dr. Kirkland made the consecrating prayer. 

There was nothing of special moment which occurred during 
Mr. Briggs's ministry. The church records, kept by him, are 
not only meagre, but loose, and compare poorly witii those of his 
predecessors. The records of his mari'iages, and of the deaths 
in the parish, are so imperfect as to be of but little value. 

Mr. Briggs was graduated at Harvard in 1815, and his first 
and only settlement was at Lexington. His ministry extended 
over a period of more than sixteen years, and was on the whole 
a successful one, though his health was delicate, and at times he 
was scarcely able to attend to his ordinary duties. Nevertheless, 
he retained the affections of the people, who expressed their sym- 
pathy by several gratuities, in consequence of his sickness and 
feeble health. In 1827, the town voted him five hundred dollars, 
to be paid out of the jNIinisterial Fund ; and in 1835, they voted to 
give him two hundred dollars in addition to his salary. During 
this year, his health continuing feeble, ]\Ir. Briggs requested that 
his connection Avith the parish be dissolved, which was granted. 
The feelings of the town towards him, on the sundering of 
their relations, were fully expressed in the following resolution, 
which was unanimously adopted : — 

^^ Resolved, That the First Congregational Society, in Lexington, exceed- 
ingly regret that the health of the Reverend Charles Briggs is such as to 
render it imprudent for him, with a just regard to himself and family, to 
fulfill all the duties appertaining to his ministerial office ; that his labors 
among them hitherto will long be remembered with gratitude and aifection ; 
that his talents and ministerial character eminently entitle him to their 
highest respect; that his discreet and conciliatory deportment has been a 
strong bond of union to this Society ; and that they most deeply sympa- 
thize with him and his family in his present precarious state of health." 



348 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

It is due to Mr. Briggs to say, that the last years of his min- 
istry in Lexington, were rendered embarrassing by the unprofit- 
able controversy growing out of the jSIinisterial Fund. Though 
he managed prudently, his labors must have been greatly neu- 
tralized by the unhappy state of feeling which pervaded the 
comnumity. His neglect to give the information, though more 
than once requested, deprives us of the pleasure of giving a 
genealogy of his family. 

After the termination of Mr. Briggs's ministry, the parish 
remained in an unsettled condition for a sei'ies of yeai-s. The 
unhappy contest for the possession of the Fund contributed 
greatly to this divided state of affairs. 

About a year after Mr. Briggs left the society, Mr. William 
G. Swett was invited to become their pastor, with a salary of 
seven hundred dollars. He accepted the call, and was ordained 
July 13, 1836. He Avas son of Colonel Samuel Swett, and 
graduated at Harvard College, 1828. He was subsequently 
settled in Lynn. He married Charlotte B. Phinney, daughter 
of Elias Phinney, Esq., of Lexington. On January 15, 1839, 
his relations with the society were dissolved at his own request. 
During his ministry, the controversy relative to the Fund must 
have made his position unpleasant. His salary of seven hundred 
dollars being deemed insufficient, two hundred dollars was subse- 
quently added, showing a kind feeling towards him personally. 

After Rev. Mr. Swett left the parish, they continued in a 
broken state for some time. That disturbing element, the Fund, 
kept the town in commotion ; and in this distracted state of 
affairs, it was difficult to find any man who would settle with them. 
The pulpit was supplied from time to time by such preachers as 
they could obtain. Rev. George M. Rice supplied for a period. 
Rev. Mr. Knapp, by temporary engagements, supplied the desk 
several months ; and after that, Rev. S. B. Cruft was employed 
a year or more. 

After the close of INIr. Cruft's brief ministry, Rev. Samuel J. 
May supplied the desk about six months. He saw the distracted 
state of the town, and set himself at work to heal these disorders ; 
and it is due to him to say that, by his energetic labors, and 
conciliatory spirit, he did more towards bringing about an amicable 



ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 349 

adjustment of the bitter controversy about the Fund, than any 
other man ; for which he received the thanks of the town. 

In 1845, after the Legislature had provided for the division of 
the Ministerial Fund between the different societies, the first 
parish, which, up to that period had transacted their business 
under a town warrant, organized as a parish, under a warrant 
issued by William Chandler, justice of the peace. 

At a meeting, June 30, 1845, the parish voted unanimously 
to invite Eev. Jason Whitman to become their pastor, on a 
salary of nine hundred dollars. Mr. Whitman accepted the 
invitation, and July 30, 1845, was agreed upon for his installa- 
tion. Mr. Whitman had previously been settled at Saco, and at 
Portland, Maine. 

Immediately after the settlement of ]\Ir. Whitman, the society 
voted to reconstruct their meeting-house ; and at a meeting held 
February 9, 1846, William Chandler, Sullivan Burbank, J. 
Simonds Pai'ker, William Locke, Isaac Parker, Isaac N. Damon, 
and Joseph Davis, were appointed a committee to carry that vote 
into effect. The connnittee contracted with Mr. S. B. Temple, 
to remodel the house ; and when it was substantially completed, 
viz. December 17, 1846, the house took fire and was entirely 
consumed. Being thus deprived of a place of worship, the 
Baptist society generously offered the use of their house every 
Sunday morning, till the first parish could provide some place 
for themselves ; which offer was thankfully accepted. The house 
not being insured, and the work on the old house being in the 
nature of repairs, the loss fell entirely upon the society. 

Being thus deprived of a house of worship, the society, at a 
meeting held February 15, 1847, voted to erect a new meeting- 
house, at a cost not exceeding eight thousand dollars, and chose 
a committee to carry the vote into effect. The house was com- 
pleted, and dedicated, February 28, 1848. The pews were 
appraised and sold at public auction for a sum sufficient to pay 
for the house. 

Though INIr. Whitman was settled over the society under very 
flattering circumstances, unforeseen causes disturbed the peace 
and prosperity of the parish. The loss of their old house by 
fire, interrupted in some degree his ministry, and the division of 
the people relative to the location of the new house, would natu- 



350 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

rally impair the harmony of the society ; and though no objec- 
tion was raised against him, the success of his ministry must 
have been somewhat impeded by these untoward circumstances. 
Being in Maine, to attend the funeral of a brother-in-law, he 
was taken suddenly ill, and died a few weeks before the comple- 
tion of the new meeting-house. 

The parish records contain the following brief notice of the 
event: "The Rev. Jason Whitman died, January 25th, 1848, 
at Portland, Maine. He was buried from the Baptist meeting- 
house, on Saturday the 28th." 

Mr. Whitman was highly esteemed by his people ; and as a 
testimonial of their regard for him and his family, the parish, at 
their meeting, ISIarch 13, 1848, voted, "That the salary of our 
highly esteemed friend and minister, Rev. Jason Whitman, 
deceased, be continued up to the first day of May next, and be 
paid to Mrs. Whitman, widow of the deceased, as a token of 
the high esteem of the society for him and his family, and for his 
unceasing labors to promote the cause of religion, education, and 
every good work, Avhile he was permitted to remain among the 
living." 

Mr. Whitman was a man of feeble constitution, and yet he 
performed a vast amount of labor. He was born in Bridge- 
water, April 30, 1799,^ was graduated at Harvard University, 
1825. He was settled over a small society in Saco, Maine, 
where he married, March, 1832, Mary Fairfield. The society 
in Saco being unable to give him a suitable support, he left, and 
took the general agency of the American Unitarian Association. 
A new Unitarian society being formed in Portland, Maine, Mr. 
Whitman was induced to take charge of it, where, by his almost 
incessant labor, his health gave way, and he was advised to seek 
a warmer clime. He went to Savannah, Georgia, where his 
health was soon so improved, that he entered upon his labors in 
that city and vicinity ; but seeing that the South was no place to 
preach with the freedom to which he was accustomed, or to edu- 
cate his children, he returned to Portland, in 1842, with invigo- 
rated health, where he remained till 1845, when he received a 
unanimous invitation to settle in Lexington. Accepting the call, 
he was installed, July 30, 1845. 

' For a more perfect view of the family see Genealogy. 



ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 351 

J\lr. Whitman was ardently devoted to his profession, and the 
moral reforms of the day ; and never spared himself when there 
was a field of labor before him. In addition to his weekly 
pi'eparations for the pulpit, he wrote for tlie periodical and weekly 
press. He also published, An Address on Temperance ; A Ser- 
mon on the Two Natures of Christ ; A Sermon on Regeneration ; 
A Sermon on Missionary Efforts ; Home Preparation for School 
— delivered befoi-e the American Institute ; A Fourth of July 
Address ; A Memoir of Rev. Edward H. Edes, of Kennebunk ; 
A Memoir of his brother, Bernard Whitman, of Waltham ; A 
INIemoir of his father. Deacon John Whitman, of East Bridge- 
water ; Young Lady's Aid — a course of lectures before the 
young ladies of Portland ; Young Man's Assistant — a course of 
lectures to the young men of Portland ; A Volume of Sermons 
on the Lord's Prayer ; A Sermon at the Ordination of Rev. C. 
H. A. Dall ; and a number of religious tracts. 

INIr. Whitman was a man of modest, unaffected piety, firm 
and decided in his religious opinions ; and yet far removed from 
a narrow sectarian spirit. By the simplicity of his manners, 
by his liberal and benevolent disposition and good sense, he 
always secured the respect and esteem of the community in 
which he lived. His writings are characterized by strength and 
directness, guided by practical wisdom, and expressed with 
great clearness. His preaching was earnest and direct, practical 
and persuasive, and rather conversational than declamatory in 
manner. 

In his first discourse at Lexington, after his installation, he 
gave his new parish a statement of his views and principles — 
from which we cite the following : — 

"People sometimes seem to feel, that, as the minister receives his sup- 
port from them, it is to them that he owes his first allegiance, and that his 
great object should be to satisfy them. Upon this point, my views are 
different. I feel that my first allegiance is due to God and to Christ ; I 
believe that I am accountable to God for what I say ; I regard Jesus Christ 
as the sanctified and sent of the Father, and his instructions as authorized 
disclosures of God^s will. He is my master in matters of religion ; to his 
authority I reverently bow. Whatever his instructions may require me to 
proclaim as God's truth, woe be to me if I refrain from preaching it, 
through fear of man. Thus far my allegiance to God and Chriist extends. 
Beyond this I may and I ought to consult the wishes and feelings of the 
45 



352 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

people with regard to the time and mode of presenting even Christian 
truths and sentiments." 

Concerning the popular movements of the day, he said : — 

" The spiritual prosperity and religious growth of a society, will be pro- 
moted by frequent social religious conference, and by a deep and active 
interest in missionary movements. 

" On the subject of Temperance, I am, and for years havebeen, pledged 
to total abstinence from the use of all intoxicating drinks as a beverage. 
I have, in years past, taken an active part in efforts to remove the evils of 
intemperance from the community. 

" Upon the subject of Slavery I would say, that, having spent several 
months at the South, I entertain a very deep abhorrence of the system, as 
based upon injustice and supported by wrong, and as fraught with evils of 
the most appalling character to the slave and to the master, and I know not 
but as much to the one as to the other." 

The loss of their newly refitted meeting-house was a sore 
calamity to the parish ; and though they voted to bon-ow the 
money necessary to pay the contractor, by a delay, or neglect on 
the part of the Committee, who had obtained the money on their 
own notes, the matter was suffered to remain unsettled till a 
considerable portion of the claim against the parish became out- 
lawed, and the whole loss would have fallen upon the Committee, 
had not individuals contributed freely to relieve them of this 
onerous burden. 

After the death of Mr. ^^Hiitman, the society heard several 
preachers, and on the 19th of March, 1849, gave Mr. Fiske ^ 
Barrett,^ then in the Divinity School at Cambridge, a vmanimous 
invitation to become their pastor. Mr. Barrett accepted the 
invitation, to take effect after the close of his theological course. 
He was ordained September 5, 1849. Mr. Barrett having ten- 
dered his resignation as pastor, the society, at a meeting held 
June 14, 1852, voted to accept it. His ministry was short and 
terminated by his own request. 

After being destitute of a settled minister for two years, the 
society extended an invitation to Mr. Nahor A. Staples, a 
graduate from the Theological School atMeadville, Pennsylvania, 
to become their pastor, with a salary of one thousand two hun- 
dred dollars. INIr. Staples accepting the invitation, September 
20, 1854, was fixed on for the ordination. After laboring with 

> For view of the family see Genealogy. 



ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 353 

the parish about two years and two months, Mr. Staples 
requested to be dismissed, that he might take the pastoral charge 
of a new society being formed in IMilwaukee, Wisconsin, The 
society at a meeting held November 10, 1856, 

" Voted, That we accept the communication of Rev. N. A. Staples, and 
accede to his wishes as therein expressed, and that Ms connection be dis- 
solved on the last Sabbath of this month. 

" Voted, That the Parish Committee transmit to Rev. N. A. Staples a 
copy of the above vote, together with an expression of the regret of the 
Society at the separation, and their earnest prayers for his future prosperity 
and happiness." 

During INIr. Staples's ministry the society was prosperous, and 
thirty members were added to the church, Mr. Staples was a 
young man of more than ordinary talents ; he was active and 
indefatigable in his labors, fervent in his eloquence, and had his 
life been spared, would have become one of the leading clergy- 
men of the denomination. He died February 5, 1864, in 
Brooklyn, New York, where he had been settled.^ 

The society after the close of Mr. Staples's ministry was desti- 
tute of a settled minister about a year, when an invitation was 
given to Rev. Leonard J. Livermore to become their pastor. He 
accepted the invitation, and was installed, October 4, 1857. Mr. 
Livermore remained with the society nine years, when he asked 
a dismission. At a meeting of the parish called for that pur- 
pose, Septembers, 1866, they acceded to his request, expressing 
at the same time their sincere regi'ct at the separation. They 
also, by a public vote, bore testimony to the value of his labors, 
" by which the church had been increased, and the society 
relieved of a heavy pecuniary burden," and expressed their high 
appreciation of his fidelity, self-sacrificing spirit, and purity of 
character. 

At the last communion service, held on the first Sunday of 
November, 1866, the church expressed their regard for Rev. 
Mr. Livermore, and their regret at his departure, by adoptino" 
by a unanimous vote a testimonial, from which the following are 
extracts : 

•* We cannot consistently with our own feelings, or in justice to him, 
permit this opportunity to pass without some expression of our attachment 

' See Genealogy. 



354 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

to him, our appreciation of his Christian character, and our regret at the 
separation. We therefore take pleasure in saying, as we can in truth and 
sincerity, that we highly appreciate the industry and fidelity, the zeal and 
disinterestedness, with which he has discharged all his duties as pastor of 
this church and society, during the nine years he has labored with us." 

After enumerating the funclameiltal doctrines he had incul- 
cated, they add : 

•' And we rejoice to say that^e has taught these doctrines, not only by 
precept, but by example, adding to the full force of his teaching a consis- 
tent Christian character ; that we have witnessed with high satisfaction, his 
benevolence and liberality, his kindness to the poor and unfortunate, his 
Christian sympathy for the sick and afflicted, his respect for the aged, his' 
devotion to the rising generation, his faithful efforts, by word and deed, to 
promote the temporal and spiritual welfare of the church and society, and 
in general, his readiness to join in any good work to improve the condition 
and elevate the Christian character of the community." 

As a farther testimonial of their attachment to him, and their 
reo-ret at his leaving them, two hundred and twenty-nine of 
his late parishioners, male and female, presented him a briefly 
written expression of their personal regard and esteem under 
their own signatures respectively, accompanied by a service of 
silver plate, itS a Christmas gift. 

During Mr. Livermore's ministry fifty persons were admitted 
to the church, and a number of children were baptized. It is 
» I'D to him to say, that though his salary was insuflScient to 
support his family, no member of the parish or town was 
more liberal or ready to contribute to eveiy public object which 
presented itself. And among the subjects which engaged his 
attention, we cannot in justice omit to mention his successful 
effort to extinguish a heavy claim against the parish, arising from 
the loss by fire of their meeting-house in 1846. 

Two distinct efforts had been made, and a considerable sum 
had been raised to relieve the committee, who, by the lapse of 
time, had lost their legal claim upon the parish ; and yet forty- 
five hundred dollars were unpaid. When all further efforts were 
relinquished, Mr. Livermore took the matter in hand, and by his 
own liberality and effort, succeeded in raising twenty-five hun- 
dred and forty-one dollars for the relief of the committee, who 
relinquished all further claim. It is due to fact to say, that of 
this sum, Mrs. Gary, widow of the late William Gary, of 



ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 355 

Brooklyn, New York, who has a summer residence in Lexing- 
ton, lier native town, gave one thousand dollars. 

During the rebellion, Mr. Livermore preached two sermons 
which were published at the request of his hearers — both of 
which were fraught with an enlightened and patriotic devotion to 
the cause of liberty and our free institutions. The first was de- 
livered August 6, 1803, on the National Thanksgiving, for the 
successes which had attended our arms. We can hardly find a 
paragraph which does not breathe an ardent devotion to country, 
and a firm belief that the Ruler of nations is carrying us forward 
to a higher and more glorious destiny. We will make one or 
two citations from the discourse. 

"There has never been a time since the Avar began, so dark or disastrous 
as to justify despondency, or regret that the nation chose to fight rather 
than submit to falsehood and treachery ; but rather there has always been 
reason to feel that we were working out the will of God and our own 
redemption, 

" God works through agents. He makes the heart of the nation throb 
with his own detestation of pride, perjury, robbery, cruelty, lust, anarchy 
and treason, the seven deadly sins of the enemies of our national life. He 
uses the strong right arm of the nation to smite the blows of his heavy 
retribution. He uses the folly of the foolish, and the passions of the vio- 
lent, like irritating medicines, to do good in a diseased body politic ; but "it 
is a far grander and more obvious truth, that he uses the whole force of 
man's just and generous sentiments, of man's sincerity, self-sacrifice, patri- 
otism and courage, to build up the solid pillars and walls of his kingdom 
of right and mercy." 

The other discourse of Mr. Livermore, delivered September 
11, 1864, was entitled, ^^Perseverance in the War, the Inter- 
est and Duty of the JV^ation." The title of the discourse shows 
its design, and the following extracts will show its spirit. 

*• With those who cry out for peace, because they are at heart friends of 
the traitors, and who are ready to put arms into the hands of their parti- 
sans here to inaugurate civil war in the now peaceful North, I have no 
shadow of sympathy. A class more worthy of the detestation of all good 
people I do not know in the wide world. They are baser than the rebels 
themselves, as much as disguised and renegade traitors are worse than 
open foes. With those who are chiefly moved to their outcry for peace by 
the dread of pecuniary loss, I have not much sympathy. I never learned 
to admire Esau, who sold his birthright for a mess of pottage ; and there 
is certainly no more reason to admire those who would cliafTer with malig- 
nant traitors in arms, and take the steps which go straight to the destruc- 



356 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

tion of our glorious heritage, and the shameful extinction of our national 
unity, to save their dividends or escape their share of the cost of saving 
the nation. There can be nothing but eternal dishonor, and the just judg- 
ment of God, awaiting us, if the love of money or the fear of its loss con- 
trols our settlement of such questions as those involved in this war." 

"Bad as the war is, a wretched, dishonorable peace .would be worse. 
It would, I truly believe, be a sin against God, and a crime against man to 
hold any parley with these enemies of all that is good, except on the terms 
constantly held out to them, by our Goverttment ; submission to the author- 
ity of the nation, and the reference of all disputed points to the proper 
legal tribunals, after peace is re-established." 

Mr. Livermore came to Lexington from Clinton, where lie 
had labored in the ministry six years — having previously been 
settled in East Boston, where he remained the same length of 
time. While in Lexington, he was on the school committee 
during the greater part of his ministry, and had the principal 
charsre of the schools. He was a native of Milford, New 
Hampshire.^ 

Rev. Henry Westcott ^ succeeded jNIr. Livermore as pastor of 
the society in Lexington, and was installed June 26, 1867. He 
had previously been settled, in Barre, and had subsequently 
preached a year at West Dedham. He was a native of War- 
wick, Rhode Island. 

The Secoxd Congregatioxal Society. — The origin of 
this society being a little pecidiar, it is not easy to say when it 
first had a real existence. It seems by its records that it was 
duly incorporated according to law, April 18, 1845 ; though it 
had an organization ten or twelve years before, and had sup- 
ported public worship for about ten years, a poi'tion of the time, 
at least. They had also, under the designation of the Christian 
Association, erected a meeting-house, and disposed of their pews. 
And though they were probably a legal body before the action 
taken April 18, 1815, it was at that time that they organized as 
proprietors of the meeting-house, rather than as a poll parish. 
A considerable portion of the records of this society is com- 
prised in the details of the doings of the town, in relation to a 
division of the ISIinisterial Fund ; but as that matter has been 
treated of in another place, it need not be repeated here. 

' For an accoxmt of the family see Genealogy. ' See Genealogy. 



ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 357 

As far as appears from the record, which is very meagre, Rev. 
Charles Follen was employed a portion of the time from 1835 to 
1840. In the meantime, lialph W. Emerson, J. S. Dwight, 
and others, labored with the society temporarily. 

In 1835, the subject of erecting a meeting-honse began to be 
seriously agitated, and a subscription for that object was started. 
In 1839, the Association reengaged Dr. Follen for six months, 
and active measures were adopted to erect a meeting-house ; 
which being completed, the 15th of January, 1840, was ap- 
pointed for its dedication, and Dr. Follen, as a matter of course, 
was designated to preach the dedication sermon. In the lan- 
guage of the society record : — 

"Dr. Follen was obliged to visit Xew York previous to the dedication, 
and made the necessary arrangements with his brethren in the ministry to 
assist him in the ceremonies. The Doctor, wife and child, with S. L. 
Lathrop and lady, who were to assist in the choir at the dedication, left for 
New York. Soon after their arrival Mrs. Follen was taken ill, and con- 
tinued so for weeks. On the 3d of January, he wrote to the committee, 
requesting that the dedication might be put off for one week, if it could be 
done without inconvenience to the society, but expressed his willingness, if 
the committee thought best, to come without his wife, and return again for 
her. The committee, on consultation, thought that as all the arrangements 
had been made and published, and the pews were advertised to be sold the 
same day, it would be detrimental to the Association to postpone the dedi- 
cation, and a letter to that effect was written to Dr. Follen. We expected 
Dr. Follen; but the evening before the dedication, the committee met the 
clergy who had been invited, and it was agreed that Rev. Mr. Pierpont 
should preach, in case Dr. Follen did not arrive in season. The Doctor 
not arriving, Mr. Pierpont preached the sermon. 

" Thus the house was dedicated January 15, 1840. On the 16th, news 
reached Boston of the loss of the steamboat Lexington by fire, and that 
nearly all the passengers and crew had perished, and among them Rev. 
Dr. Follen, our beloved and much respected pastor. The news cast a 
gloom over the whole town and country. To the people of his Hock it was 
peculiarly trying. They had a meeting, and agreed to invite Rev. Mr. 
Stetson, of Medford, to preach a sermon on the melancholy occasion, who, 
in the spirit of Christian friendship, though at short notice, consented. 
After the services were over, the people voted that a committee be chosen 
to communicate to Mrs. Follen, the feelings of respect they entertained for 
her late husband, and to tender her their Christian sympathy under her 
severe affliction." 

The foregoing account, abridged fi-om the parish records, tells 
the sad fate of a worthy and distinguished Christian minister and 
philanthropist. 



358 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

Charles FoUen was born in Germany, September 4, 179G, and 
was educated at the University of Giessen. His devotion to the 
great pi'inciples of liberty, and his strict adherence to justice and 
morality, even before he had finished his studies, made him 
somewhat unpopular with the less scrupulous young men with 
whom he was associated, and excited some suspicion in the 
faculty, who were deeply imbued with monarchical principles. 
And after he had finished his course, read law, and became a 
professor, his lectures were found to be too liberal to suit the 
taste of the Holy Alliance, which, at that time, assumed to con- 
trol the destinies of Europe. He was arrested on frivolous pre- 
tences, and made to feel the weight of arbitrary and despotic 
power ; so that common prudence induced him to leave his own 
country. He first visited France, but the unsettled state of 
things there induced him to seek a more congenial retreat in 
Switzerland, at that time the freest nation on the Continent. 

In Switzerland, he was called to a professorship in the Evan- 
gelical Council of Education of the Canton of the Orisons, 
where his liberal views of Christian doctrines soon became objec- 
tionable, and he left, carrying with him a certificate that his 
" luminous lectures and kind treatment of his pupils had secured 
their respect, attachment and confidence, in the highest degree." 
The University of Basle, learning that Dr. Follen was at liberty, 
appointed him as a public lecturer at the University, where he 
taught the natural, civil, and ecclesiastical law, besides some 
branches of metaphysics, viz. logic, the philosophy of the mind 
in its application to religion, morals, legislation, and the fine 
arts. 

At Basle, for a period, he dwelt in peace and contentment, 
being left to the full enjoyment of his religious and political sen- 
timents. Young men, from various parts, flocked to the Uni- 
versity, and all seemed to be prosperous. But while he and the 
literary friends by whom he was surrounded were rejoicing in 
their political and religious liberty, the tyrants of Europe were 
alarnaed, when they heard that in Switzerland, the only free 
state on the continent, had been erected a new temple of free- 
dom. Prussia forbid her young men visiting the University ; 
and the Holy Alliance, allied for the unholy purpose of sup- 
pressing freedom, resolved to break up an institution which they 




C^Mc^r-ce<f yo-€u>^ 



ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 359 

regarded as liostile to their policy. Prussia, Austria, and 
Russia, demanded of the government of Basle, that Dr. Follen 
and another liberal professor in the University, should be given 
up to the tribunal of inquisition established near Berlin. 

Switzerland was averse to yielding to the arbitrary demands 
of these tyrants ; but fearing the power of this combination, at 
last yielded to their haughty request. Dr. Follen was advised 
by his friends to leave the country ; but he insisted upon a trial 
there. • But failing in this, and being |compelled to leave to 
avoid an arrest, he sent to the government the(,following note : — 

" Whereas the Republic of Switzerland, which has protected so many 
fugitive princes, noble men, and priests, would not protect him, who like 
themselves is a Republican, he is compelled to take refuge in the great 
asylum of liberty, the United States of America. His false accusers he 
summons before the tribunal of God and public opinion. Laws he has 
never violated. But the heinous crime of having loved his country, has 
rendered him guilty to such a degree, that he feels quite unworthy to be 
pardoned by the Holy Alliance." 

He asked a testimonial from the University, which was readily 
granted, stating that he had always demeaned himself as a good 
and peaceable citizen, and had secured the confidence of his 
associates. 

Dr. Follen left Basle secretly for Paris, and from France took 
passage for America, in company with his friend Dr. Beck, and 
•arrived safely in New York. In the autumn of 1825, he was 
appointed teacher of German in Harvard University, and took 
up his abode in Cambridge. His labors thus far had been mostly 
devoted to the subject of ethics, as connected with civil govern- 
ment and the rights of man. But his teaching on these subjects 
was always based upon the broad principles of Christianity. 
Feeling more and more the importance of the teachings of Christ, 
he resolved to enter the ministry ; and after studying theology 
with Dr. Channing, he commenced preaching. Retaining his 
connection with the College, and being promoted to a professor- 
ship which engrossed a good share of his time and attention, he 
was hardly in a condition to take the pastoral charge of a parish ; 
and hence his clerical labors were not confined to any one 
locality. 

About this time the anti-slavery cause was attracting consid- 
erable attention, and Dr. Follen, deeply imbued with the love of 

46 



360 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

freedom, at once espoused it. This step did not meet the 
approbation of the cautious and conservative government of 
the University, which permitted his professorship to expire. 
Being thus cut off from the pecuniary support of the College, 
he was thrown upon bis other limited resources, and was com- 
pelled to seek employment as best he could, to support himself 
and family. He conceived the idea of establishing a literary 
institution in Boston ; but the friends of Harvard could hardly 
be expected to encourage it; and it was given up. About this 
time he was invited to preach at East Lexington, and assist them 
in building up a society in that village. We have seen with 
what success he had commenced his work, and what prospect was 
opened to him and to his devoted people, when by a mysterious 
providence his earthly labors were brought to speedy termination. 

Dr. Follen was no ordinary man. Whether we view him 
intellectually or morally, we must place him above the ordinary 
level of our public men. The high and honorable positions he has 
occvipied both in Europe and America, the estimation in which 
he was held by the gifted men in our community, and the able 
writings he has left, bear ample testimony to his talents. His 
mind was of the German cast, and strongly imbued with the 
great principles of civil and religious freedom. Though kind 
and conciliatory, he was conscientious, firm and self-sacrificing, 
ever ready to follow his honest convictions, regardless alike of 
his own individual interest or the frowns of others. As a 
reformer he was in advance of his age ; and if in any case be was 
a little impracticable, it arose from honest convictions of truth, 
stimulated perhaps by the experience be had had on both sides of 
the Atlantic. He was literally a friend of humanity ; and his 
honest sympathy was ever extended to the oppressed and down- 
trodden. In private life, he was meek and gentle, ardently 
attached to bis family and friends, and ever ready to make any 
sacrifice for their benefit. In a word, for natural and acquired 
abilities, for conscientious firmness, for an ardent love of liberty 
and the rights of man, for sympathy for the poor, afiflicted and 
down-trodden, he bad few equals and no superiors. 

Rev. Theodore H. Dorr, having received and accepted a call, 
was publicly installed pastor of the church and society, July 2, 
1845. Mr. Dorr continued his pastoral relations with the parish 





^^^ 



c?^-^--^ 



EAUGKTF.P. 



■'F SAMUEL CABOT. AND \«FE OF 
-.-rlARLES FCLLEN , 



A WOtlAN ENPJCHED BY NATURE AND BY CULTURE VHTH CIENIAL, PHILANTHROPIC AND KERCI: 
QUALITIES WHICH EMINENTLY FITTED HEFv TC WORK EFTICIEMTLY WITH HEF. HUSBAND, 



ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 361 

for four years, when lie asked a dismission on the ground that 
thej were not able to give him a reasonable support. He closed 
his labors with them, August 1, 1849.^ 

On the 7th of November, 1849, Mr. William F. Bridge was 
ordained pastor of the society. In 1852, Rev. Mr. Bridge ten- 
dered his resignation, and his connection was dissolved. He 
was a son of Josiah and Eunice (Morse) Bridge, of Lancaster, 
and grandson of Rev. Josiah Bridge, who was born in Lexington, 
1739, and settled at East Sudbury, now Wayland. William F. 
Bridge was born February 15, 1821, graduated at Harvard 
College, 1846. In settling at Lexington he in a manner came 
back to the old parental hearthstone.^ After leaving Lexington, 
he was settled at Dublin, N. H. 

Mr. Bridofe was their last settled minister. After the close of 
his ministry, Rev. E. P. Crafts, Rev. Caleb Stetson and others, 
were employed temporarily. About the commencement of 1863, 
the Second Congregational Society and the Universalist made an 
arrangement by which the two societies were to unite for the 
support of public worship, the desk to be supplied by the joint 
action of their respective committees. After acting together 
about two years, they petitioned the Legislature to be united. 
Their prayer was granted, and by an Act passed March 30, 
1865, they were made one corporation, by the name of "The 
Chup.ch of the Redeemer." 

The Act of the Legislature uniting the two parishes, being 
accepted by them respectively, they at once organized under 
their charter, disposed of the House formerly occupied by the 
Universalist Society, and made thorough repairs, and an enlarge- 
ment of the House formerly occupied by the Second Congrega- 
tional Society. Before the legal union, they had employed Rev. 
William T. Stowe as their preacher, and he being highly accept- 
able to them, has been continued as pastor of the new organization. 
Mr. Stowe came to Lexington from Brattleboro', Vermont, 
where he had been preaching to the Universalist Society.^ 

The Baptist Society. — The origin of this society is thus 
given by one of their pastors. For more than half a century 
there have been a greater or less number of Baptist professors in 

' See Genealogy. * See Bridge family in the Genealogy. ^ See Genealogy. 



362 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

Lexincrton ; in 1781, most of them became connected with a 
Baptist church formed in West Cambridge. But little interest 
was manifested till 1817, when several united with churches in 
other towns. In 1824, the ordinance of baptism by immersion, 
was first administered in Lexington. In 1830, meetings were 
commenced in town. In 1833, Rev. T. P. Ropes removed to 
the place, and performed the duties of pastor. During the 
same year their meeting-house was erected, and a church consti- 
tuted, consisting of twenty-one members. In January, 1835, 
Rev. O. A. Dodge, having previously received and accepted a 
call, was publicly ordained and set over the society. Under his 
ministry the society was prosperous, and a considerable accessiofn 
was made to the church. INIr. Dodge died. May 18, 1840. The 
church records contain this tribute to his memory. " To a mind 
naturally shrewd, penetrating, and highly cultivated, he added a 
warm-hearted piety and an unwavering activity. Beloved by 
the church and respected by all, he died universally lamented." 

After the death of Mr. Dodge, Mr. C. M. Bowers accepted a 
call, and was ordained, Sept. 9, 1841. Some dissension arising 
in the society, in February 1846, Rev. Mr. Bowers resigned 
his pastoral care, and was succeeded by Rev. Ira Leland, who 
commenced his labors for the parish in the autumn of 1847. 
Mr. Leland's connection with the society continued ten years, 
when it closed at his own request. He was a faithful pastor, 
and a valuable citizen, having for several years the principal 
charge of the schools in the town. Before the settlement of Mr. 
Dodge, and at several intervals between their settled ministers. 
Rev. T. P. Ropes had supplied their pulpit. Since the close of 
Mr. Leland's ministry they have had no permanent pastor, Rev. 
Mr. Clark and Rev. Mr. Savage laboring with the parish, each 
for a short time only. 

Tpie Fiest Univees.vlist Society. — It appears from their 
Records, that the constitution or by-laws of this society, were 
adopted, April 20, 1845. But it is obvious that they had a 
partial organization at an earlier period, and had for years sup- 
ported public worship, at least a portion of the time. Their 
meeting-house was erected as early as 1840. Rev. James M. 
Usher commenced preaching for them before their meeting-house 



ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 363 

was erected, and continued their pastor about five years. Since 
leaving Lexington he has been engaged in business in Boston as 
a bookseller and publisher. His residence has been in Medford. 
He has been considerably in public life, and has occupied a seat 
in the State Senate several years. 

After Mr. Usher closed his labors with the society, Rev. C. H. 
Webster became their pastor, and remained with them about two 
years. He was succeeded by Rev. W. B. Randolph, whose 
ministry lasted about three years. In 1849, Rev. J. A. Cooledge 
was settled over the society, and remained with them about four 
years. ^ Since 1853, they have had no settled pastor. The 
parish being feeble, their house has been closed the greater part 
of the time for the last ten years. Some four years ago this 
society united with the Unitarian society in the East Village, and 
employed preachers of each sect, till they agreed upon Rev. Mr. 
Stowe. Being united upon him and finding themselves more 
nearly allied in doctrinal views than they had formerly imagined, 
these societies took the wise step of giving up their former organi- 
zations, and becoming one body, and securing the labors of 
Rev. Mr. Stowe, as we have already seen. 

The Roman Catholics. — The Roman Catholics have had 
occasional meetings in Lexington for several years. When the 
Unitarian and Universaliat societies in the East Villaofe united, 
they sold the meeting-house formerly owned by the Universalists, 
which was purchased by the Roman Catholics, and they maintain 
services there a portion of the time. 

Tsffi Oethodox Meeting House. — The Calvinistic Conarre- 
gationalists have no organization in Lexington. The churches 
of that faith, in the neighboring towns, have recently purchased 
the old Academy building, and fitted it up for a meeting-house ; 
but as yet it has not been opened for public worship. 

' See Genealogy. 



CHAPTER XV. 

EDUCATION. 

Interest felt in Education — A School-House built, and Schools established — ^ 
Grammar School — Sometimes a Moving School — Second School- House 
built — An Academy established in Lexington — The First Normal School 
located there — Increased Interest in Education — High School established 
— Present Condition of the Schools — Dr. Lewis's Female Seminary. 

It is worthy of observation, that the love of country and the 
love of learning, were always regarded by our fathers as kindred 
affections, — originating in the same genei'al cause, and seeking 
the same great end. They regarded these affcQtions as the 
offspring of religion, and the fruits of an active faith ; and they 
urged a good education, and literary and scientific attainments, 
as among the most efficient means of securing piety to God and 
good will to his creatures. In their earliest efforts to set up 
schools and endow the University, they recognized the service ©f 
God as the great end to be promoted. In relation to these 
institutions, they say, "We cannot but acknowledge the great 
goodness of God towards his people in this wilderness, in raising 
up schools of learning, and especially the College, from which 
there hath sprung many instruments, both in church and state ; 
and we feel that we should show ourselves ungrateful to God, or 
unfaithful to posterity, if so good a seminary of knowledge and 
virtue should fall to the ground through any neglect of ours."' 
And in establishing the common school system in 1647, they, in 
language expressive of their distinctive theological tenets, say, 
" It being one chief project of Satan to keep men from the knowl- 
edge of the Scriptures, as in former times keeping them in 
unknown tongues, so in these latter times by persuading from 
the use of tongues, that so at least the true sense and meaning 

' Colonial Laws, p. 80. 



EDUCATION. 365 

of the original might be clouded and corrupted by false glosses 
of deceivers ; to the end that learning may not be buried in the 
graves of our fathers, in clmrch and commonwealth, the Lord 
assisting our endeavors. It is therefore ordered by this Court 
and the authority thereof, — that every township within this 
jurisdiction, after the Lord hath increased them to the number of 
fifty householders, shall thence forthwith appoint one within their 
towns, to teach all such children as shall resort to him to write 
and read." ^ 

The early inhabitants of Lexington appear to have had a 
realizing sense of the importance of learning, and of the neces- 
sity of establishing schools, as the best means of obtaining it. 
While united with Cambridge, they petitioned the town to grant 
a certain sum which they might apply to the support of schools 
in their midst ; and when, by an Act of the General Court, they 
w'cre clothed with power to raise money themselves for schooling, 
they were not backward in the good cause. In 1714, the year 
after the town was incorporated, they voted to erect a school 
house, and provided that it should be "twenty-eight foot long, 
twenty foot wide, and eiglit or nine foot stud." This house was 
situated near the Monument, on the Common. In 1715, they 
voted to open a free grammar school, and devoted fifteen pounds 
for its support. At a meeting. May 14, 1716, the following 
vote was passed, which shows that the schoolmaster, at that 
time, 7nust have been abroad. 

" Voted, That all scollers that curae to school to pai two pens per week 
for reeding, and 3 pens per week for righting and siphering; and what 
that amounts to at the year's end, so much of the fifteen pounds to be 
deducted, and stopt ia the Town Treasury whilest the next year." 

Captain Joseph Estabrook was employed as a teacher, and 
continued his school five months, for which fifteen pounds were 
paid him from the town treasury. By this time the principle 
seems to have been settled, that a man's school should be kept five 
months in the year. But although this furnished a pretty good 
opportunity for the larger scholars, the people could not but 
perceive that there were wants which this arrangement did not 
meet. The smaller children in the distant parts of the township 
could not be accommodated by a school kept in the centre. To 

' Colonial Laws, p. 186. 



ZG6 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

remove this difficulty, it was agreed by the selectmen, at a meet- 
ing held July 21, 1717, "That Clerk Lawrance's wife, and 
l^phraim Winship's wife, keep schools from the day of the date 
liereof, until the last of October next following ; and if they 
have not scholars sufficient in number to amount to five shillings 
a week, at 3 pence a scholar a week, during the term above 
said, then y® Tovm to make up what shall be wanting of the five 
shillings a week." 

The next year, they voted " to set up four mofe schools in 
other parts of the Tonvn, as conveniently placed as may be, to 
accommodate the children in said parts ; said schools to be regu- 
lated by the same rule as they were the last year." 

From this time, the system of supporting the schools so as to 
meet the wants of the people, may be considered as permanently 
established. The changes which were made from time to time, 
^vere designed to make the system more efficient and useful, and 
to extend rather than curtail the privileges of schooling. And 
the town was careful to employ instructors of character. The 
male teachers, when selected from towu, were from the most 
substantial citizens, and the female teachers were the wives and 
daughters of some of the first families. 

In 1728, the town employed Mr. Ebenezer Hancock, son of 
their reverend pastor, to teach the grammar school through the 
year. Mr. Hancock was a graduate of Harvard, and appears to 
have been a favorite with the people. Subsequently, when he 
was settled as a colleague with his father, it was with the under- 
standing that he should continue his school. 

In 1714, the first school house was built, and was situated on 
the Common. Here the grammar school was usually kept. 
But as it generally happens in such cases, the people at the out- 
parts of the town complained that the benefits of the school were 
uot equally enjoyed by all the families in the place. To meet 
this objection, the grammar school was converted into what was 
denominated a " moving school," and was kept in different parts 
of the town in rotation. But this being attended with incon- 
veniences, other expedients were adopted. At one time it was 
provided that all who lived within a certain distance of the 
school house on the Common, should furnish all the fuel neces- 
sary for the school free of expense ; while those who lived more 



EDUCATION. 367 

remote should be exempted altogether. But still there was a 
lurking disposition to complain of inequality, — forgetting the 
fact that, though the inhabitants of the village enjoy greater 
privileges than those who live remote from the centre, they have 
to p;^y for those privileges. For one acre of land in a village is 
often valued in the assessment list, ten times as high as an acre 
of the same intrinsic worth, situated remote from the centre. 

The school house in the centre becoming somewhat dilapidated, 
a new house was erected in its stead in 1761. It was twenty 
feet square, and six and a half feet between the floors, and cost 
£42. During the Revolution, there was no particular change in 
the schools. The grammar school in the school house, was kept 
nine or ten months each year, and was furnished with teachers 
competent to instruct in every branch necessary to be taught. 
At the same time schools, generally taught by females, were 
supported in the different sections of the town. 

After a contest of one or two years on the subject, the toAvn 
voted in 1795 to build three school houses, and chose a committee 
to select sites. In 1796, it was "Voted, To raise $333.33, for 
schooling the children the present year. Voted, To take $ 100 
out of the alcove sum for women's schools." Some feeling was 
excited not favorable to the harmony of the schools, by the 
inhaliitants in the part of the town known as Scotland, persist- 
ently demanding as their share of the school grant, a sum in 
proportion to the tax they paid. 

In 1799, the town appropriated $333.33 for the support of 
men's schools, and $166.67 for women's schools. In 1800, the 
school grant was raised to $500, and the committee chosen to 
employ teachers, were directed to employ none unless they are 
qualified according to the provisions of law. In 1804, the town 
took a decided step towards improving the condition of their 
schools. They made the usual grant of $500 for schooling, and 
appropriated $1,000 to build three additional school houses, and 
to remove two others, so as to accommodate all parts of the 
town. Of the three new houses, one was to be located in the 
centre of the town, one in Scotland, so called, and one in Smith's 
End, so called. 

Having supplied themselves with school houses, the town 
wisely decided that a larger sum of money should be appropriated 
47 



368 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

to support these invaluable institutions. Accordingly, in 1806, 
the school appropriation was increased to eight hundred dollars, 
six hundred dollars of which was to be expended for schools 
taught by males, and two hundred dollars for schools taught by 
females. This arrangement relative to the appropriation and the 
division of the money was continued for several years. 

In 1819, the town appropriated nine hundred dollars for the 
support of their schools, being an increase of one hundred dollars 
over past appropriations. 

At the May meeting in 1821, a committee, consisting of Amos 
Muzzy, Jr., Ambrose Morrell, Isaac Reed, Joseph Underwood, 
Jr., John Hastings, and Charles Reed, who had been chosen 
at a previous meeting, submitted a detailed Report to the town 
on the general subject of the schools, whicli the town accepted. 
The Report was able, and well considered ; and to the honor of 
the committee it should be stated, that the changes they recom- 
mended in the school system, were, six years after, substantially 
adopted by the Legislature, for the government of the schools 
in the Commonwealth. 

In 1827, the Legislature passed a general law regulating the 
schools throughout the State, and requiring towns to choose a 
General Committee to superintend and manage them. This law 
made quite a change in the condition of the schools in some 
towns. But as Lexington had adopted the same system, sub- 
stantially, several years before, the change here was not imme- 
diately perceptible. There was however an increased interest 
manifest on the subject of common school education. Two 
school houses were built in 1830, and the other houses were 
repaired. The school appropriation also was increased to one 
thousand dollars. 

In 1837, the school appropriation was increased to fourteen 
hundred dollars ; and the town voted to erect two new school 
houses, — one in each village, — said houses to be two stories 
high, so as to accommodate two schools. 

The subject of Common School Education in Lexington, as in 
almost every other town in the Commonwealth, Avas in a manner 
neglected ; or in other words, our district schools did not meet 
the wants of the people. There were men in every town, who 
were in favor of bringing them to a higher standard. But the 



EDUCATION. 369 

mass of the voters, mistaking their true interest, were imwilling 
to increase the appi-opriation for their support. One fatal error 
had been imbibed by a portion of the people, viz. that the com- 
mon schools were designed for the common ^jeojjle alone ; and 
that those who wished to give their children suitable advantages, 
must send them to select schools. They also feared that their 
children would be corrupted in their manners and morals, by 
associating: with the children of the masses. Some of this class 
were willing to raise money for the support of the district 
schools ; but they would not suffer their children to attend them, 
but sent them to private schools and academies. By this 
means they were able to give their children a better education 
than their neighbors could give theirs. But this was a mistaken 
and short-sighted policy. In the first place, it was contrary to 
the spirit of our free institutions, which open the door of improve- 
ment to all alike, that the poor man's son might have equal 
advantages with the son of his more wealthy neighbor. 

This withdrawing children from the common schools, tended 
to degrade and keep down the standard of education in them. 
Those wealthy or influential families, which patronized private 
schools and academies, would, as a matter of course, feel less 
interest in the common schools than they would have done, if 
their own children had been in them ; and their example would 
also liave an influence upon others ; and so tend to reduce in the 
community the estimate of these little democratic institutions, 
which should be the pride and boast of our country. Moreover, 
an injury leather than a benefit was done to the children educated 
in these select schools ; for they came from them more ignorant 
of human nature, than they would have been, if they had mixed 
with the masses, and seen more of the rough side of that world 
in which they were destined to live. Their private education 
would naturally induce them to look down upon those who were 
educated in the town schools, with whom they must associate in 
after life, and upon whom they must in a great degree depend 
for support in almost any business in which they might be 
engao-ed. 

This state of things did not apply particularly to Lexington, 
but to the Commonwealth at large. But wliile these academies 
were increasing, and a comparatively small part of the rising 



370 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

generation were obtaining a better education than before, the 
common schools were either declining, or suffered to remain 
stationary. This state of things created an alarm in the public 
mind, and the philanthropist and the statesman sought to call 
public attention to the importance of raising the standard of the 
town schools, so as to meet the wants of the people. And after 
years of effort, this important reform was commenced, and has 
so far progressed that academies have, to a great extent, been 
superseded by public schools open to all classes of our population. 

In 1821, a number of Lexington gentlemen, feeling the AA'ant 
of a higher standard of education than the town schools afforded, 
established an academy within the town. A commodious house 
was erected for the purpose, and a school was opened in 1822, 
under the charge of INIr. Caleb Stetson, who had just graduated 
from Cambridge. And though the school was small at its 
opening, under the successful instruction of Mr. Stetson, it 
became a flourishing institution, numbering from seventy-five to 
eighty-five pupils. He remained as principal of the academy, 
till the autumn of 1825, when he was succeeded by Mr. 
AVilliam P. Huntington. In a few years this school began to 
languish, and was finally given up. 

While the academy was in active operation, and, viewed from 
that standpoint, the cause of education would seem to be pro- 
gressing, the condition of the district schools was by no means 
flattering, — less so undoubtedly in consequence of the existence 
of the academy. Nor was this peculiar to this town. The same 
cause had produced the same effect in every part of the Common- 
wealth. A few years later, when specific returns were made 
from every town of the condition of their schools, the fact became 
apparent, that in those towns where academies and select schools 
were maintained, the district schools were more or less neglected, 
and were in point of support below the schools in towns where 
no such academies existed. 

It should not, however, be inferred from these facts, that 
academies were useless, or that parents did wrong in all cases, in 
sending their children to select schools. Academies were valu- 
able as intermediate institutions between the common schools 
and the colleges, and were necessary to fit scholars to enter the 
colleges. Nor were parents at fault in all cases, in taking their 



EDUCATION. 371 

children from district schools. Every intelligent parent desires 
to give his children a good education ; and for this purpose, and 
for the good of all classes, he should use his influence to improve 
the condition of the public schools, where his own children and 
the children of those ai-ound him, may have opportunities for an 
education. But if he fails in bringing the town schools up to a 
proper standard, or if he wishes to have his children pursue 
studies not taught in the town schools, or taught only imperfectly, 
then it is right, and it becomes his duty to send them where they 
could enjoy these opportunities. 

The law of 1827, requiring a town committee, was the first 
step in the improvement of our schools. But the measure which 
has done more for the cause of common school education than 
any other, was the creation of a State Board of Education in 
1837. Three years previous, a school fund was created ; and 
although the sum to be divided amono- the schools was a mere 
pittance, the subsequent laws made it a condition precedent to 
receiving its share of this fund, that the town's committee 
should make a return to the Secretary of State, of the number 
of scholars in their respective towns, the number attending 
school, the amount of money raised, and the general condition 
of the schools. 

This was the first time in the history of the Commonwealth, 
that the true condition of the schools was known to the public. 
After the Board of Education was created, the Secretary, by 
carefully prepared tables, presented to every town in the State 
the condition of the schools in every other town, so that all could 
see the standing of his own town as compared with every other. 
The abstract of the Reports of different committees, showed the 
improvements that were adopted in different parts of the State ; 
and the Reports of the Secretary of the Board soon excited a 
general interest throughout the Commonwealth ; and the creation 
of Normal schools for the education of teachers, gave an impulse 
to the cause of common school education, which has placed 
Massachusetts ahead of any of her sister States. In this general 
improvement, Lexington has participated. We have seen that 
in 1837, her school appropriation was carried from one thousand 
up to fourteen hundred dollars, and that two new school houses 
were erected, and so constructed as to admit of a grading of the 
schools. 



372 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

Soon after the Board was established, Hon. Edmund Dwight, 
of Boston, generously oiFered the sum of ten thousand dollars, 
on condition that the Commonwealth would appropriate the 
sjjme amount, to be expended under the direction of the Board, 
in qualifying teachers for common schools. The Board resolved 
to establish two Normal schools, one in the easterly, and the 
other in the westerly part of the State ; and to enable them to 
continue these schools for the period of three years, so that the 
experiment might be fully tried, they required the people of the 
place where the schools should be located, to furnish the neces- 
sary buildings, and a certain amount of funds, to procure a 
library and apparatus. And though the applications for the 
school were numerous, Lexington was deemed by the Board to 
be the most favorable place, and one of the schools was here 
established. This was the first Normal school in the country. The 
school was put in operation under the care of Mr. Cyrus Pierce, 
an able and experienced teacher, who continued his connection 
with the school three years, when he retired, and was succeeded 
by Rev. S. J. May. Shortly after, the school was removed to 
Newton — simply on local and sectarian grounds. The school 
was a decided success, and the experiment tried here has given 
rise to four Normal schools, which send out annually several 
hundred teachers, well qualified to instruct in all the rudiments 
of a good Enfylish education. 

The effect of these schools, and the other measures of the 
Board of Education, has been felt in every part of the State. In 
Lexington, from 1837 to 1846, the appropriation remained at 
fourteen hundred dollars. In the year following, one hundred 
dollars was added, and in 1848 it was increased to two thousand 
five hundred dollars. In 1851, after a considerable effort, the 
town voted to build two new school houses, on the most improved 
plan ; one in the centre and the other in the south district. This 
was the signal for new and improved houses in every section of 
the town ; so that we have now in each district good and commo- 
dious houses, with the modern improvements. 

Feeling that the district schools did not fully meet the wants of 
the rising generation, in 1854 the subject of a High School was 
brought before the town, and a Committee, consisting of Ira 
Leland, Charles Hudson, Jonas Gammell, Andrew Wellington, 



EDUCATION. 373 

Samuel A. Houghton, diaries Tidd, and Hugh Graham, was 
chosen to consider the subject, and report at the next meeting. 
The Committee recommended that a high school be established, 
and that five hundred dollars be added to the school appropria- 
tion, carrying it up to three thousand dollars. This report being 
accepted by the town, and the addition to the appropriation 
made, the School Committee put the school in operation. The 
next year the appropriation was raised from three thousand dol- 
lars to three thousand seven hundred dollars, devoting one thou- 
sand dollars to the support of the high school. 

There was considerable opposition to the high school, when it 
was first established ; but it has so commended itself to the good 
sense of the people, and its effects upon the district schools have 
been such, that the people generally now regard this school, not 
only as a permanent institution, but one which has proved a 
blessing to the community. It has afforded an opportunity to 
every parent to give his children a good education at a much less 
expense than- it could have been obtained in any other way ; and 
what is more and better, some parents of limited means have 
been enabled to give their children such an education as has 
fitted them for teachers, or qualified them for other positions in 
life ; which they never could have given them if this high school 
had not been established. As an economical arrangement, such 
a school should be continued. Besides, the maintenance of a 
high school redounds to the honor of a town, and tends to increase 
the value of property. The town of Lexington has no manu- 
factures to draw population within her borders. Her growth 
must, to all appearances, depend upon those who are seeking 
pleasant country residences, and the first question asked by that 
class more especially is, "What is the condition of your schools?" 
If they find that our schools are poor, they will look elsewhere 
for a residence ; but if they find that we have good schools, they 
might be induced to settle among us. 

Fears were entertained by some that the establishment of a 
high school would operate to the injury of the district schools. 
But it has been found to produce the opposite effect. A new 
incentive to effort is thrown into the districts, to qualify their 
pupils for the high school. A high school also enables the 



374 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



committee to make a more perfect elassification of the pupils and 
so aiFords another great advantage to the cause of education. 

The time has arrived wlien the people demand greater oppor- 
tunities for an education than the common primary or grammar 
schools afford, and every statesman and philanthropist must see 
the wisdom and benevolence of supplying this want by the main- 
tenance of schools of a higher grade, open alike to the rich and 
the poor, where all the youth can meet on one common level, 
and where there is no distinction but that which merit originates. 
Our colleges are institutions which should be highly prized — 
institutions which are demanded by the wants of the community. 
But at the same time, we know that they are beyond the reach 
of a vast majority of the young. Not one in a thousand of our 
population ever enters a college as a student. 35ut a high school 
meets the wants of the whole people, and the children in a town 
may enter within its walls and enjoy its privileges, without money 
and without price. Nowhere, no, not even in the house of wor- 
ship, is there such perfect equality — such an elevation of the 
poor to an equal level with the rich, as in the free schools. And 
the farther this can be extended, the higher in the walks of 
science this equality can be carried, the better for the community 
at large, and for every class which compose it. 

To indicate the growth of interest felt in the public schools, 
the following statement of the annual approj)riations for schools 
from 1830 to 1867 is given. 



1830 $ 1,000 

1831 1,000 

1832 1,000 

1833 1,000 

1834 1,000 

1835 1,000 

1836 1,000 

1837 1,400 

1838 1,400 

1839 1,400 

1840 1,400 

1841 1,400 

1842 1,400 



1843 $1,400 

1844 1,400 

1845 1,400 

1846 1,600 

1847 1,600 

1848 2,500 

1849 1,600 

1850 '...2,400 

1851 2,500 

1852 .' 2,500 

1853 2,500 

1854 3,000 

1855 3,700 



1856 $ 3,700 

1857 3,800 

1858 3,700 

1859 3,700 

I860' 3,400 

1861 3,400 

1862 3,400 

1863 3,400 

1864 4,400 

1865 4,200 

1866 4,700 

1867 5,000 



I 



The above table shows a commendable increase in the appro- 
priations for schools. And by the graduated tables furnished by 



EDUCATION. 375 

the Secretary of the Board of Education, it will be seen that 
Lexington takes a high rank among her sister towns. In the 
Report of the Secretary of the Board for 18 Go, showing the 
amount expended per head upon all the scholars between the 
ages of five and fifteen years, it is seen that Lexington stands 
No. 17, in a list of 334 cities and towns, and that she actually 
expends $8.49 on each scholar; while more than half of the 
towns in the State, expended less than half of that sum. The 
same Report shows that in the County, consisting of 52 cities 
and towns, Lexington stands No. 7. In the Report of the 
Board for 186G, Lexington stands No. 11 in the list, having 
expended $10.88 upon each scholar, and in the County of Mid- 
dlesex, she stands No. 5. 

From the above exhibit, it appears that Lexington will com- 
pare favorably with the towns ai'ound her. 

In connection with the subject of education in Lexington, the 
school for young ladies, established by Dr. Dio Lewis, merits a 
brief notice. This school has some characteristics which dis- 
tinguish it from the oitlinary female seminaries. Physical devel- 
opment receives a larg-e share of attention. In addition to the 
usual branches taught in schools for young ladies, the new system 
of gymnastics, of which Dr. Lewis is the author, is here intro- 
duced, and made a part of the daily routine. These gymnastic 
exercises are so adapted to the anatomy or physical structure of 
the human frame, and are so various in their kinds, that every 
limb and every muscle is brought into exercise — giving strength 
and tone to the whole body. The effect of this training is ob- 
vious in the fact that many a young lady, of slender frame and 
delicate complexion wdien she entei's the school, leaves, at the 
close of the year, with that physical development and glow of 
health so essential in those who are to become the mothers of the 
next generation. 

The same general principle is recognized in all the instruction 
of the school, by so distributing the branches and exercises as to 
bring out the latent and neglected powers of each pupil. For 
instance, in the dramatic exercises, which are made somewhat 
prominent, the self-reliant young lady is to personate the mild 
and gentle character, and the bashful and timid girl to repre- 
sent a character more bold and daring. In this way, a full 
48 



376 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

and properly developed character is aimed at in all the instruc- 
tion, and flattering results have been attained. The discipline 
of the school is paternal, and great care and watchfulness are 
extended over the morals and health of the pupils. By such a 
system of training and discipline, the school has acquired a high 
reputation, and is favorably known through the country. This 
is apparent from the fact that its increasing patrons are distrib- 
uted, not only over New England, but throughout the Middle 
and Western States. 

In the spring of 1864, Dr. Lewis, well and extensively 
knoAvn as a Physical Educator, purchased the Lexington House, 
which was erected for a Hotel, and fitted it up for a school for 
young ladies. Having engaged Theodore D. Weld, for many 
years Principal of the Eagleswood School, in New Jersey, and 
other experienced teachers, he opened his school with twenty 
pupils. During the term it was increased to thirty-two. During 
the next year the number increased to one hundred and two, and 
the third year the number reached one hundred and forty-four. 

On the 7th of September, 1867, when the house had been 
refitted and important improvements made, to receive a larger 
number of pupils, the building took fire and was entirely con- 
sumed. The loss of this noble edifice was deeply felt, not only 
by the citizens of Lexington, who regarded it as a great calamity, 
but by the friends of Physical Education in distant parts of the 
countiy. It is gratifying to learn, that Dr. Lewis intends to 
erect a building, on or near the same site, which will accommo- 
date an equal immber of scholars, and be better adapted to the 
purposes of the school than the former building. 

Dr. Lewis is justly entitled to the gratitude of the community 
for his new system of Gymnastics, — a system which has been 
introduced into so many schools in this country and in Europe, 
and has called public attention to the subject of physical train- 
ing, and so laid a foundation for the education of the whole man. 

It may also be said, in this connection, that Dr. Lewis has 
established a hospital or " movement cure " in the village, where 
he has a considerable number of patients under his peculiar mode 
of treatment, which, it is believed, has proved quite successful. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



MILITARY AFFAIRS 



No Records of the Military — Officers are mentioned — Mon who served in the 
French and Indian Wars — List of Captain Parker's Company — At Cam- 
bridge in May and June, 1775 — Men who served in the Revolution — 
Artillery Company — The Late Rebellion — Men in the Service. 

We have no means of giving a full and accurate history of the 
military organizations which have existed in the town from its 
first settlement. In fact, the only record, or intimation of one, 
consists in the titles given to certain individuals from time to 
time in our Records. Before 1700, we find the title of Caj^tain 
given to William Reed; in 1712, to Joseph Estabrook ; and in 
1717, to Joseph Bowman. 

Without pretending to give a full catalogue of the officers, or 
stating them in the exact order of time, we find the title of Cap- 
tain given by the Records to Samuel Stone, Benjamin Reed, and 
William Reed, between the years 1740 and 1750, and in 1761 
Benjamin Reed is denominated Major, which shows that he had 
been promoted ; and soon after Thaddeus Bowman is honored 
with the title of Captain. This brings us up to the commence- 
ment of the Revolution. And it is worthy of special notice that 
the military men of that day were the leading men of the town. 
No one has borne the title of Captain, whose name has not been 
found on the Board of Selectmen, or Assessors, or on some of 
the most important Committees. Even the honor of Lieutenant 
was enjoyed by Ebenezer Fiske, Ensign by Robert Harrington, 
and Quarter jNIaster by John Bridge, who were, in their day, 
some of the most popular and distinguished men of the town. 

The citizens of Lexington, during her whole history, have 
participated largely in the service of the field in times of war. 
In the early Indian wars several men from Cambridge Farms 



378 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

were engaged; but as -what is now Lexington, was then a 
part of Cambridge, we liave no full or distinct account of that 
service. But in later periods, we find Lexington men scattered 
through almost every Massachusetts corps. Though the rolls 
are very imperfect, and in many instances there is nothing to 
designate the place from which the soldiers came, we have been 
enabled to collect the following imperfect lists. 

In 1725, we find the names of the following men from 
Lexington : 

Captain Blanchard. John Pierce. Samuel Lawrence. 

Corporal John White. Thomas Stearns. Nathaniel Kendall. 

In 1740, in the West India service : 

Gideon Powers. Joshua Winship, Jr. Nathan Munroe. 

Ezekiel Kendall. 

In 1745, at the capture of Louisburg, there must have been 
some men from Lexington, but as no rolls are preserved, we 
cannot give their names. 

In 1754, we find the names of the following persons : 

Sergeant William Munroe. John Fiske. 

Corporal Ephraim Fletcher. Joseph Locke. 

In 1755, the war with the French and Indians assuming a 
more decided character, a large force from Massachusetts was 
called out. Some acted under General Winslow at the eastward, 
and others in the neighborhood of Lake Champlain. The imper- 
fect rolls show that Lexington furnished twenty-one men, and 
probably more. 

Captain William Reed. Amos Simonds. 

Sergeant William Munroe. John Pierce. 

Benjamin Edgell. Joseph Locke. 

Jonas Munroe, Jr. William Merriam. 

Josiah Stone. William Blodgett. 

Nehemiah Estabrook. Joseph Munroe, Jr. 

Ebenezer Winship. Simon Newton. 

Benjamin Munroe. Isaac Winship. 

Abraham Scott. David Fiske. 

Francis Teel. David Foster. 
James Bridge. 



MILITARY AFFAIRS. 



379 



In 1756, the war with the French and their Indian allies 
continuing unabated, new levies of troops were made, and Lex- 
ington, never backward in such a cause, furnished the following 
soldiers : 



Sergeant Robert Wilson. 
Henry Harrington, Jr, 
Joseph Locke. 
Benjamin Bridge. 
Samuel Jones. 
Nathaniel Piper. 
Samuel Nevens. 
Nathaniel Walker. 
Benjamin Locke. 
Benjamin Whitcomb. 
Zachariah Parker. 
Giles Bennett. 



Reuben Raymond. 
Robert Wilson, Jr. 
Samuel Chaffin. 
Uriah Holt. 
John Stockwell. 
John Pierce. 
Hugh Maxwell. 
Barnabas Wilson. 
Thomas Perry. 
Abel Whitcomb. 
Nathaniel Parker. 
Benjamin Locke. 



In 1757, another call was made for men, a considerable por- 
tion of whom were marched to the relief of Fort William-Henry . 
The following is a partial list of Lexington men : 



Sergeant Samuel ChafBn. 
Roger Wellington. 
Jonas Munroe. 
Samuel Jones. 
John Bridge. 
David Munroe. 
Thaddeus Munroe. 
John Munroe. 
Benjamin Muzzy. 
Silas Merriam. 
Benjamin Merriam. 
Simeon Eames. 
Alexander W. Dole. 
Benjamin Farley. 
John Clapham. 
Robert Moore. 



Jonathan Fessenden. 
Giles Bennett. 
Robert Wilson. 
Jonathan Ingersol. 
Benjamin Edgell. 
Josiah Blodgett. 
Nathaniel Ingersol. 
Phinehas Blodgett. 
John White. 
Joseph Russell. 
Edward Winship. 
Abraham Scott. 
James Winship. 
James Munroe. . 
Josiah Blodgett. 
Edmund Munroe. 



In 1758, Lexington had the following men in the service 



Ensign Robert Munroe. 
Jeremiah Bridge. 
Thomas Robinson. 
Henry Harrington. 
Joseph Fassett. 



Edmund Munroe. 
Thomas Robbins. 
James Munroe. 
Israel Underwood, 
Andrew Munroe. 



380 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

In 1759, Lexington furnished : 

James Winship. Andrew Munroe. 

Henry Harrington. James Munroe. 

Israel Underwood. James Merriam. 
Thomas Robbins. 

The fall of Quebec in 1759, did not immediately produce the 
submission of Canada. The following year called for more 
Provincial troops, and Lexington had a large number of men in 
the field. From dilapidated rolls the following names have been 
gleaned : 

Captain John Clapham. Robert Fiske. 

Ensign Abraham Munroe. James Merriam. 

Sergeant Joseph Locke. Nathan Chandler. 

Corporal David Munroe. Benjamin Dudley. 

Samuel Raymond. William Dix. 

James Mann. Edmund Dix. 

James Winship. Abner Scott. 

Joseph Reed. Freeborn Hill. 

Aaron Wood. John Jarvis. 

Alexander McDowell. Isaac Trask. 

Ebenezer Blodgett. Thaddeus Call. 

Boston Draper. Jeremiah Harrington. 

David Barnard. Arthur McMullen. 

Andrew Munroe. John White. 

Thomas Blodgett. Thomas Perry. 
Amos Locke, Jr. 

Though the French were in a great measure subdued on the 
northern frontier, the treaty of peace not having been concluded, 
a considerable portion of the troops were retained in the field in 
1762, particularly to watch the Indians. The following men 
from Lexington were in the service : • 

Ensign Abraham Scott. Thomas Perry. 

John Jarvis. Joseph Mason. 

Freeborn Hill. Silas Merriam. 

Israel Trask. Thaddeus Pierce. 

Thomas Call. John Smith 

Jeremiah Harrington. Robert Munroe. 

Robert Herbert. Stephen Munroe. 

William Dix. Josiah Munroe. 

Edmund Dix. Jonas Perry. 

John Godding. Isaiah Trask. 

Thomas Godding. John Wood. 
Thomas Robbins. 



MILITAllY AFFAIRS. 381 

The foregoing is an- imperfect list of the men who served in 
the French and Indian wars from 1755 to 1763 ; and it reflects 
no discredit upon the town. Her Mnnroes, and Mei-riams, and 
Winshi2)s were found on every battle-field — at Louisburg, 
Quebec, Crown Point, Ticonderoga, Fort William-Henry, and 
wherever a foe was to be encountered, or a daring deed to be 
performed. Some of the Lexington men were attached to the 
famous corps known as "Rogers's Rangers," — a corps in which 
Stark served his military apprenticeship ; — a corps whose name 
was expressive of the life they led — ranging through the 
wilderness, seeking their wary savage foe by day or by night, in 
silent glens, or secret ambush ; — a corps whose winter quarters 
were in tedious marchings amid drifted snows, frozen lakes, and 
ice-clad hills, — relying sometimes upon snow shoes, and some- 
times upon skates for locomotion, — and carrying their only 
arsenal and commissariat in their packs. In such a corps were 
some of the hardy sons of Lexington trained — they, knowing 
that their lives were in their own hands, and that their escape 
from the tomahawk and scalping knife, the tortures of the faggot, 
or ignominious slavery, depended entirely upon their own severe 
trials, perpetual watchings, and determined courage. 

Edmund Munroe, of Lexington, was at one time attached to 
Rogers's Rangers, where he acted as an orderly sergeant, and 
also as adjutant of the regiment. In a small memorandum book, 
kept by him at Lake George, in August and September, 1758,^ 
there are some notices of the events of the day, and a few things 
of interest. Under date of August 28, 1758, is the following : 

" The iroojDs to fire a Rejoicing. — Firing this evening for 
the success of his Majesty's arms for the taking of Louisburg. 
The regiments to be under arms, and line the breastwork at six 
o'clock, — the firing to begin with twenty-one guns from the 
Royal Artillery, and then proceed from the right of the 27th 
Regiment round the line, and to finish with the left of Colonel 
Bagley's Regiment. This to be repeated till the whole have fired 
three rounds. The commanding oflScers of regiments to order a 
review of their men at twelve o'clock." 

But it seems that the Rangers, a separate corps, were on that 

' This MS. was found among the papers of Edmund Munroe, Esq., of Boston, 
for the perusal of which I am indebted to Francis Brown, Esq. 



382 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

joyful occasion to act another part. Under same date, we have 
the following : 

" The Rangers to be under arms at six o'clock this evening, to 
illuminate the rejoicing for the success of his Majesty's army at 
Louisburg, at which time Major Rogers to give to his Ranging 
Companies, as a token of his dependence on their Loyalty and 
Bravery, a Barrell of Wine treat, to congratulate this good news 
to them, and the good behavior of the four Companies of Ran- 
gers at Louisburg, which has won to the corps a universal, 
national character." 

In 1761, Edmund INIunroe was promoted to a Lieutenancy, by 
Governor Barnard, and in March, 1762, he was commissioned 
as Adjutant of Colonel Richard Saltonstall's Regiment, and 
continued in the service till the peace of 1763. 

The more recent war of the Revolution, and the great interest 
we had at stake in the late Rebellion, have thrown the French 
war in a great measure into the shade. Few people at the 
present time realize the toils, the sufferings, and the sacrifices 
made by the Colony at that time to sustain the cause, and 
strengthen the arm of the mother country, which was shortly 
after raised to crush the patriotic colonists. From 1755 to 1763, 
the Colony of Massachusetts performed an amount of military 
service almost unparalleled. Minot, the historian, says, that in 
the year 1757, one third part of the effective men in the Colony, 
were in some way or other in the field. The patriotic devotion 
of the Colony, and the zeal with which our brave soldiers served 
Great Britain, should have excited her gratitude, and induced 
her to respect our rights. 

We have no full record of the military organization in Lexing- 
ton at the commencement of the Revolution. In 1770, the 
officers of the Lexington Company were Thaddeus Bowman, 
Captain ; Jonathan Smith, Lieutenant ; and Robei't Harrington, 
Ensign. These officers probably considered themselves super- 
seded or discharged, after Governor Gage virtually abdicated 
government here by refusing to convene the Legislature. The 
organization of companies of minute-men by the order of the 
Provincial Congress in 1774, appears to have been entirely out- 
side of the old military organization. The Company which 
appeared on the Common in 1775, did not owe its organization 



MILITARY AFFAIRS. 



J83 



to any law of the Legislature ; and it is probable that Captain 
Parker and his subalterns had no commissions, except that of the 
vote of the Company, and the approbation of the Committee of 
Safety. This Company comprised the principal men of the 
place, and probably constituted the only actual organization in 
town at the time. John Parker Avas at that time forty-six years 
of age, and must have been a man who commanded the confi- 
dence of the people. There were in town at that period. Lieu- 
tenant Edmund Munroe, and Ensign Robert Munroe, both of 
whom had held commissions in the French War — besides 
twenty-five or thirty more who had seen service ; and the fact 
that John Parker was selected to command that Company, and 
that these officers and soldiers were willing to volunteer and 
serve under him, shows that he was a man of more than ordinary 
character, and one to be trusted in any emergency. And the 
result showed that this confidence was not misplaced. The 
important part acted by this Company on the 10th of April and 
subsequently, justly entitles them to a place in the historic page. 



Holl of the Officers and Soldiers of Captain Parker'' s Company in 1775. 



Captain John Parker. 
Lieutenant William Tidd, 
Ensign Robert Munroe. 
Ensign Joseph Simonds. 
Clerk Daniel Harrington. 
Old. Sergeant William Munroe. 
Sergeant Francis Brown. 
Sergeant Ebenezer White. 
Corporal Joel Viles. 
Corjioral Samuel Sanderson. 
Corporal John Munroe. 
Cor2)oral Ebenezer Parker. 
Nathaniel Farmer. 
Samuel AVinship. 
John Winship. 
Joseph Robinson. 
Francis Bowman. 
Joseph Smith. 
Ebenezer Smith. 
Thaddeus Smith. 
Abraham Smith. 
49 



Josiah Smith. 
William Smith. 
Samuel Smith. 
David Smith. 
Phinehas Smith. 
Solomon Pierce, 
Benjamin Wellington. 
Timothy Wellington. 
Asahel Stearns. 
Thomas Winship. 
Thomas Robbins. 
John Buckman. 
Amos Muzzey. 
Jonathan Smith. 
Joseph Loriiig. 
Jonathan Loring. 
Benjamin Merriam. 
John Raymond. 
Nathaniel Mulllken. 
David Mason. 
Joseph Mason. 



384 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



Elijah Sanderson. 
Solomon Brown. 
James Brown. 
Thaddeus Harrington. 
Jonathan Ilamngton. 
Jonathan Harrington, Jr. 
Thomas Fessenden. 
John Williams. 
Jonas Parker. 
Dr. John Fiske. 
Samuel Tidd. 
Samuel Hadley. 
Joshua Reed. 
John Tidd. 
Benjamin Tidd. 
Ebenezer Simonds. 
James Wyman. 
Thomas Hadley. 
Benjamin Hadley. 
William Grimes. 
Isaac Blodgett. 
Hammond Reed. 
Joshua Simonds. 
Kathan Reed. 
John Hosmer. 
Abner Mead. 
Isaac Green. 
John Harrington. 
Benjamin Locke. 
Moses Harrington. 
William Harrington. 
Jeremiah Hairington. 
Thomas Harrington. 
Caleb Harrington. 
Nathan Fessenden. 
Ebenezer Munroe. 
Ebenezer Munroe, Jr. 
Edmund Munroe. 
Stephen Munroe. 



Philemon Munroe. 
George Munroe. ) 
Jedidiah Munroe. / 
William Munroe, Jr. 
John Munroe, Jr. 
Nathan Munroe. 
John Chandler. 
John Chandler, Jr. 
William Merriam. 
Isaac Hastings. 
Amos Marrett. 
Thaddeus Reed. 
Thaddeus Parker. 
John Parkhurst. 
Thaddeus Muzzey. 
Jonathan Harrington, 3d. 
Nathan Wyman. 
Amos Locke. 
Robert Reed. 
John Robbins. 
John Munroe. 
Asa Munroe. 
Jonas Stone. 
Abijah Child. 
Joseph Bridge. 
John Bridge. 
William Reed. 
Josiah Reed. 
Isaac Muzzey. 
John Muzzey. 
Thomas Cutler. 
John Brown. 
Israel Porter. 
Joseph Comee. 
Asahel Porter. 
Joseph Underwood. 
Prince Estabrook. 
Ebenezer Hadley. 
Eli Burdoo. 



This Company not only served in the morning and in the 
afternoon of the memorable 19th of April, but on an alarm at 
Cambridge in May, and on the day of the battle of Bunker Hill 
in June, detachments from this Company, with the gallant 
Parker at their head, repaired promptly to the scene of action, 



MILITARY AFFAIRS. 



385 



and offered themselves for active service, 
served on these occasions is aiven below. 



The list of those who 



Roll of a Detachment of Captain Parker's Company^ called to Cam- 
bridge, and who served from May 6 to May 10, 1775. 



Captain John Parker. 
Ensign Joseph Sj'monds. 
Sergeant Ebenezer White. 
Corporal Joel Viles. 
Corporal Ebenezer Parker. 
Joseph Mason. 
John Munroe. 
Samuel Bowman. 
Jonas Clark. 
William Smith. 
Benjamin Wellington. 
John Smith. 
Elijah Sanderson. 
Matthew Bridge. 
Ebenezer Hadley. 
Nathan Munroe. 
Thomas Harrington. 
Phinehas Smith. 
Joseph Underwood. 
Isaac Hastings, v 
William Reed. 
Simeon Swan. 
John Wellington. 



Jonas Parker. 
James Brown. 
Nathan Underwood. 
William INIunroe, 4th. 
Joseph Estabrooke. 
Moses Harrington. 
Walter Russell. 
Joshua Reed, Jr. 
Isaac Greene. 
Ebenezer Smith. 
John Chandler, Jr. 
Ebenezer Munroe. 
Eli Burdoo. 
Robert Reed. 
Nathan Fessenden. 
Moses Harrington, Jr. 
Reuben Locke. 
Jonathan Loring. 
Thomas Harrington. 
William Grimes. 
John Muraroe, Jr. 
John Harrington. 

Total— 45. 



Muster Roll of a part of Captain Parker's Company, who were called 
to Cambridge^ Jane 17 and 18, 1775. 

Joshua Symonds, 
Joseph Locke, Jr. 
John Munroe. 
Josiah Blodgett. 



Captain John Parker. 
Lieutenant John Bridge. 
Lieutenant William Tidd. 
Ensign Joseph Symonds. 
Sergeant Francis Brown. 
Sergeant William Munroe, 
Sergeant Ebenezer White. 
Corporal Joel Viles. 
Corporal Samuel Sanderson. 
Corporal John Munroe.,,,-^ 
Corporal Ebenezer Parker. 



Stephen Munroe. 
Ebenezer Munroe. 
Benjamin Tidd. 
Reuben Reed. 
John Muzzy, Jr. 
Thaddeus Muzzy. 
Samuel Bowman. 



386 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



William Grimes, 
Solomon Pierce. 
Jonathan Smith. 
Abraham Smith. 
John Smith. 
Joseph Loring, Jr. 
Ebenezer Hadley. 
Timothy Wellington. 
Jonathan Bridge. 
Benjamin Bowman. 
John Chandler, Jr. 
Nathan Reed. 
Nathan ^lunroe. 
Reuben Locke. 
Edmund Munroe. 
Thomas Harrington. 
Solomon Brown. 
Nathan Fcssenden. 
Samuel Smith. 
John Tingel. 



Thaddeus Reed. 
Timothy Smith. 
Samuel Tidd. 
Francis Bowman. 
Jonathan Loring. 
Eli Burdoo. 
Joseph Underwood. 
Nathan Bridge. 
William Munroe, 4th. 
George Adams. 
William Smith. 
John Harrington. 
Joseph Smith. 
Isaac Hastings > 
Phinehas Stearns. 
AVilliam Reed, 3d. 
William Eustis. 
Ebenezer Munroe, Jr. 
Prince Estabrook. 

Total— 61. 



The imperfect Eecords of that day do not furnish us with a 
complete list of the Lexington men who served in the Revolution, 
or the length of time they were in the field. A large number of 
names are found on the rolls in the archives of the State, but 
it is impossible to make out a full list or a complete classification. 
The best list that we can obtain is the following. 

A Committee, of Avhich Benjamin Brown was Chairman, 
appointed for the pvn-pose, submitted a Report to the Town, 
dated May 14, 1779, containing the names of the persons who 
served, the Campaigns in which the service was rendered, and 
the amount they were to receive. 



Military Services rendered hy the Inhabitants of Lexington in the War 
of the Revolution, from the first Campaign in 1775, to the close of 
1778, exclusive of the three years' men. 



First Campaign of Eight Months, 
1775. 

£ s. 
Captain Bowman, for his son 

Ebenezer, . . . .50 
Lieutenant Jona. Smith, for his 

son Daniel 5 



Joseph Robinson, 
Benj. Stearns, for his son Asahel, 
Abijah Child, or Micah Hager, 
Samuel Sanderson, for Isaac 
Durant, .... 

John Winship, . . . 



£ 


s. 


5 





5 





5 





5 





5 






MILITARY AFFAIRS. 



387 



Benjamin Fiske, for Pauper, 
Lieutenant Thomas Fessenden, 

for Wm. Diamond, 
Benj. Brown, for his son James, 
Joseph Simonds, for Benjamin 

Iladley, . . . . 

Thomas Hadley, Jr, 
Bezaleel Lawrence, for Isaac 

Green, .... 
Bezaleel Lawrence, for Abner 

Mead, 

Benj. Estabrook, Guard, to Asa 

Robinson, . . . . 
David Fisk, for his son David, 
Abraham Merriara, . 
Amos Russell, . . . . 
John Peck, . . . . 
Ezekiel AUine, . . . . 



5 



5 



5 





5 





5 





5 





5 





5 






Total, 



£98 



19 



Second Campaign of Twelve Months 
TO New York. 

£ s. 

Sam'l Hastings, for son Samuel, 19 

John Winship, . . . .19 

Lieutenant Thomas Fessenden, 

for VVm. Diamond, . . 12 13 

Benjamin Brown, for son James, 19 

William Reed, for son Josiah, .19 

Joseph Simonds, for Benjamin 
Hadley 

Joshua Simonds, for Daniel 
Bemis, ..... 

Abraham Merriam, . 

Joshua Reed, for Ezra Merriam, 
or his father, Abraham Mer- 
riam, ..... 

Ephraim Winship, . 

Joseph Robinson, 

Thomas Winship, Guard, to 
Jeremiah Robinson, 

Saml. Sanderson, for Isaac Du- 
rant, ..... 

Thomas Locke, 

Lieutenant Jona. Smith, for son 
Daniel, ..... 

Benjamin Stearns, or his son 
Hubback, .... 



19 





19 





19 





19 





19 






19 



19 
19 



19 



19 



Benjamin Wellington, or Ezekiel 

AUine, 19 

Benjamin Estabrook, Guard, to 

Asa Robinson, . . .19 

Daniel Simonds, . . .19 



Total, 



£3o4 13 



Third Campaign, February, 177-5, 
Two Months, to Camhridge. 

£ s. 
Captain Francis Brown, 
Joseph Simonds, 
John Muzzy, 
John Simonds, . 
Joel Viles, 

Dea. Loring or son Jonathan, 
Josiah Smith or son Josiah, 
Rev, Mr. Clarke, for son Jonas, 





10 




10 




10 




10 




10 




10 




10 




10 



Total, 



£ 12 0) 



Fourth Campaign, July 1775, 
Months, to Ticondehoga. 

Heirs of Lieutenant Edmund 
Munroe, deceased, 

Ebenezer Hadley, 

Benj. Brown, for son Solomon, 

Josiah Smith, Jr., 

Robert Reed, .... 

Captaiji Francis Brown, . 

Lieutenant Daniel Harrington, 
for John Smith, 

Hammond Reed, 

Bezaleel Lawrence, 

Amos Muzzy, . 

John Simonds, . 

Nathan Reed, . 

Jesse Crosby, . 

Samuel Munroe, 

Benjamin Estabrook, 

Elijah Sanderson, 

Francis Brown, 

Captain Bowman, for son Eben- 
ezer, ..... 

Benj. Wellington, •^ 

„. „. IV . ( furnish a 

Tim. Wellmgton, S ^^^^ 

Joseph Underwood, J 



Five 



9 
9 



9 



9 



388 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON, 



John Chandler, . 

William Reed, . 
Daniel Russell, 
Moses Reed, . . 
Jonas Stone paid his fine, 
Benjamin Locke, 

Total, 



£ 225 



Fifth Campaign, to Ticonderoga. 

£ 9. 
John Muzzy, . . . .60 

Thomas Fox 6 

Ensign Robert Harrington, . 3 9 



Total, 



£15 9 



Sixth Campaign, Jult, 1776, Four 
Months, to Dorchester. 



Dr. Joseph Fiske, 
Benjamin Tidd, . 

Benjamin Smith, Jr., 
Sampson Adams, 

Total, 



£14 00 



Seventh Campaign, September, 1776, 
TO White Plains. 



James Wyman, . 
Asa ^lunroe, . 

Joshua Reed, . . 
William Reed, . 
John Parkhurst, 

Robert Moor, . . 
Lieutenant Ebenezer White 

Benjamin Stearns, . 
William Tidd, . 

Josiah Jenison, . . 
Benjamin Wellington, 

Nathaniel Munroe, . 

Matthew Bridge, . 

Total, 



£ 
6 
5 
6 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 



£65 



Eighth Campaign, Three Months, 
TO the Jersies. 



Captain John Bridge, 
Sergeant John Williams, 
Henry Harrington, Jr., 



Amos Locke, 
John Muzzy, Jr., 
John Bowman, . 
Amos Marret, . 
Abijah Childs, . 
Ebenezer Munroe, . 
William Smith, 
Samuel Bridge, . 

Thomas Cutler, , 

Phinehas Stearns, 
Thomas Bobbins, 
Moses Harrington, . 
Samuel Winship, 
Thomas Robbins, Jr., 
Thaddeus Parker, 
William Munroe, deceased 
John Munroe, . 
John Tidd, 

Total, 



15 
10 
10 
10 
10 
10 
15 
10 
10 
10 
18 
10 
10 
15 
10 
10 
15 
15 



£ 129 8 



Ninth Campaign, December, 1776, 
Three Months to Boston, and 
One to Dorchester. 





£ 


5. 


Ebenezer Smith, 


. 2 





Daniel Mason, . 


. 2 





Isaac Cutler, 


. 2 


13 


Samuel ^lunroe. 


. 2 





Lieutenant Daniel Harrington 


, . 2 





Levi Mead, 


. 2 


13 


Marret ^Munroe, . . 


. 2 


14 


Total, 


£16 





Tenth Campaign, April, 


1777, 


TO 


Providence, Two Months. 






£ 


a. 


William Reed, . 


. 4 





Sergeant :Moses Harrington, 


. 4 





Thomas Smith, . . . 


. 4 





Joseph Russell, . . 


. 4 





Henry Harrington, Jr., 


. 4 





Nathaniel Fessenden, 


. 4 






Total, 



£24 



Eleventh Campaign, to Benning- 
ton, in 1777. 

£ s. 
Lieutenant Daniel Harrington, . 9 
John Muzzy and others, a man, 9 



MILITARY AFFAIRS. 



389 



Philip Russell and others, a man, 9 
William Tidd and others, a man, 9 
Ensif/n Robert Harrington and 

others, a man, . . ,90 
Robert Moore and others, a man, 9 
Thomas Winship and others, a 

man, . . . . .90 
Joshua Simonds and others, a 

man, . . . . .90 
Sergeant Solomon Pierce, . .90 
Phinehas Stearns and others, a 

man, . . . . .90 
Ebenezer Munroe and others, a 

man, 9 

Benjamin Stearns, . . .90 
Amos Munroe and others, a man, 9 
Samuel Bridge and others, a 

man, . . . . .90 



Total, 



£126 



Total, 



Benjamin Fiske, 
Jonathan Harrington 
Henry Harrington, Jr 
Prince Estabrook, 
Josiah Mead, 
Ebenezer Smith, 

Total, 



£ 


5. 


4 


10 


4 


10 


4 


10 


4 


10 


4 


10 


4 


10 



£39 12 



Twelfth Campaign, to take Bur- 

GOYNE. 

Lieutenant William Munroe, . 4 

Lieutenant Thomas Fessenden, . 4 

i<ergea?it Benj. Wellington, . 4 

Phinehas Stearns, . . .40 

Thaddeus Reed, . . .40 

John Chandler, . . .40 

Matthew Bridge, . . .40 

John Fiske 4 



Fourteenth Campaign, at Cam- 
bridge, Three Months, 1778. 

£ s. 

Lieutenant Daniel Harrington, 

Levi Harrington, 
I John Simonds, . 
I Nathaniel Simonds, 
I William Munroe, 

Joshua Reed, Jr. 

Stephen Locke, 
I Amos Muzzy, . 

Nathaniel Russell, 

John Smith, 

Cally Newell, . 

Joseph Loring, Jr. 

Thomas Adams, 

William Smith, 



Total, 



3 


10 


3 


10 


3 


10 


3 


10 


3 


10 


3 


10 


3 


10 


3 


10 


3 


10 


3 


10 


3 


10 


3 


10 


3 


10 


3 


10 



£49 00 



£32 



Fifteenth Campaign at Providence, 
I June, 1778, Six Months. 



Thirteenth Campaign, December, 
1777, to Guard the Lines near 
Cambridge, Five Months. 

£ s. 
4 10 
4 10 
1 16 
1 16 



Abijah Harrington, . 
Sergeant Timothy Wellington, 
Samuel Smith, . 
Samuel Bridge, 



1 Daniel Smith, . 

/Isaac Hasting, . 

1 Hammond Keed, 
Thomas Fox, 
Nathaniel Reed, 

1 Benjamin Tidd, 
John MuUiken, 

Total, 



£ 


s. 


5 





5 





5 





5 





5 





5 





6 






Sixteenth Campaign, 
Captain Francis Brown. 
Sergernt Joseph Smith. 
Sergeant Samuel Piper. 
Sergeant Samuel Brown. 
Sergeant Alpheus Bigelow. 
Corporal Nathan Brown. 



at Providence, Six Weeks, 
Corporal Silas Wood. 
Corporal Henry Gould. 
Corporal James Cogswell. 
Fifer John Edwards. 
Peter Stearns. 
Ebenezer Perkins. 



£36 

August, 1778. 

John Chandler. 
Samuel Pratt. 
William Wheeler. 
Jonathan Brooks. 
Henry Harrington. 
Phinehas Hager. 



390 



HISTORY OF LEXINCil'ON. 



James Holman. 
Lot Conant. 
Samuel Bond. 
Elijah Brown. 
Jeremiah Knowlton. 
Thaddeus Winship. 
Simon Crosby. 
Timothy Killock. 
James Billings. 
John Conant. 
Josiah Reed. 
John Barrett. 
David Melvin. 
James Peacock. 
James Heyward. 
Amos Buttrick. 



Joseph Brooks. 
John L. Davis. 
John Fiske. 
Nathan Fiske. 
Amos Pierce. 
Abner Matthews. 
Silas Livermore. 
Tilly Mead. 
T. Adams. 
Josiah Jennison. 
Peter Jones. 
Henry Morgan. 
Isaac Pierce. 
Charles Sheparc". 
Joseph Stratton. 



Stephen Munroe. 
Paris Michels. 
William Richards. 
Reuben ]Jall. 
Joseph Turner. 
AVilliam S. Baker. 
John Harris. 
John Robbins. 
Simeon Heyward. 
Thaddeus Bowker. 
Charles Flint. 
Josiah Meak. 
Ebenezer Jones. 
Nathan Buttrick. 
Isaac Cutter. 



Seventeenth Campaign, at Pkovidence, Six Months. 
Benjamin Brown. Benjamin Danfoith. Simon Winship. 

Joseph Reed. Jesse Crosby. John Tidd. 

John Williams. 

The following names are found upon tlie roll as Lexington 
men, and certified to by our Selectmen in 1782. 

Six Months' Men in 1780. 
William Dimond. Ezra Merriam. Philip Davis. 

Abraham Merriam. James Robinson. Henry Harrington. 

Joseph M-rriam. Silas Merriam. Richard Winship. 

Joseph Foot. Cato Tuder. Samuel Crafts. 

Prince Estabrook. 

There are other names, which we cannot classify at all, nor tell 
at what time, or for what period they served. 



Daniel Simonds. 
Silas Burdoo. 
Benjamin Sampson. 



Jonas Underwood, 
Nathan Brown. 
Stephen Munroe. 



Christopher Mann. 
!Mitthew Farrington. 
Nicholas Duren. 



It will be seen, that in the foregoing lists, the same name in 
some cases appears more than once. This ai'ises from the fact 
that the same person was out in different campaigns ; and if some 
of the names here given should be repeated in the following list of 
those who served in the Continental line, the same explanation 
will apply — they served in the militia either before or after their 
service in the regular army. But, after all, the lists are imper- 
fect, as many of the rolls are destroyed. 

As far as the amounts for the service are carried out, we have 
followed the Report of the Committee ; but as they stopped 



MILITARY AFFAIRS. 



391 



short of the close of the war, and did not include those who 
were called out suddenly to meet an emergency, like Captain 
Brown's Company, which went to Rhode Island, we have inserted 
their names, and others which we found upon the rolls. 

The following is the list of the three years' men, as far as we 
can collect them from the dilapidated rolls. Those whose names 
are marked with a star (*) enlisted in 1780, for three years, or 
durino- the war. 



Men who enlisted in Lexington for three years^ or during the war, and 
served in the Continental Line. 



Captain Edmund Munroe. 
Lieutenant Ebenezer White. 
Ensign David Simonds. 
Nehemiah Estabrook.* 
David Fiske.* 
Samuel Crafts.* 
Thaddeus Munroe.* 
Amos Russell.* 
George Munroe. 
Joseph Cox. 
Daniel Simonds. 
Ebenezer Hadly.* 
James Fowle.* 
Thomas Hadly. 
Levi Mead.* 
Pomp Blackman. 
Jupiter Tree.* 
Prince Estabrook.* 
Daniel Bemis. 
Joseph Barney. 
Francis Chaffin. 
William Crosby. 
David Evans.* 
Benjamin Hadly. 
Titus Heywood. 
Benjamin Pierce. 
Nathan Gale.* 
Nathan Smith.* 
Abraham Merriam.* 
Silas Merriam.* 
Isaac Parker.* 
Michael Neagles.* 
50 



Samuel Harrington.* 
Seth Reed.* 
Joseph Foote. 
John Holden.* 
Peter Brooks. 
Simeon Crosby. 
Thomas Clark. 
Philip Davis.* 
Benjamin Fiske. 
Jabez Frothingham. 
John Farmer. 
William Grimes. 
Josiah Gennerson. 
Josiah Gilbert. 
Samuel Hastings. 
David Samson. 
Isaac Smith.* 
Ezra Merriam.* 
Joseph Merriam.* 
Abraham Munroe. 
Joseph Munroe. 
Cornelius Lennix. 
Abner Mead. 
Abraham Winship. 
Moses Mead. 
Micah Hager. 
Asahel Stearns. 
Thomas Locke. 
Asa Robinson. 
Benjamin Samson. 
Enoch Wellington. 
James Webber. 



392 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



William Diamond.* 
Pomp Fiske. 
Francis Fullington.* 
Richard Winsbip.* 
Cato Tuder. 
Henry Harrington.* 
James Robinson.* 
James Wilson. 
Asa Munroe. 
Abel Stearns. 
Abraham Smith. 
David Lanny. 
Samuel Pierce. 
Francis Brown. 
John Smith. 
Ebenezer Munroe. 
John Hosmer. 
David Clark. 
Samuel Ditson. 
Joseph Robinson. 
Thomas Hadly. . 
Thaddeus Harrington. 



Amos Marrit. 
Robert Mead. 
Elijah Sanderson. 
Solomon Brovrn. 
Jonathan Loring. 
Samuel Munroe. 
Jonathan Munroe.* 
Thomas Blodgett. 
Ebenezer Bowman. 
William Locke. 
William Locke, Jr. 
Edmund Locke. 
Ebenezer Robinson. 
Joseph Frost.* 
John Tingle.* 
Abel Winship. 
Isaac Durant. 
Thomas Locke. 
William Tidd. 
Robert Fiske. 
James Robinson.* 



Several on the foregoing list are known to have been colored 
men, and some of them slaves — among whom are Samuel 
Crafts, Pomp Blackman, Jupiter Tree, Prince Estabrook, Pomp 
Fiske, C^ato Tuder, John Tingle, and perhaps others. But 
notwithstanding the color of their skin, they were deemed worthy 
to fight side by side with white men to achieve our Independence. 
And it is due to our fathers to say, that when slaves enlisted 
into the service, they were generally permitted to take their 
freedom if they desired it. 

It should also be remarked, that some of the foregoing list had 
served in the other and shorter campaigns, before entering the 
Continental Line ; and that some who are enrolled among the 
first three years' men, continued in the service by re-enlistment, 
though their names appear but once. 

When we consider that Lexington was at the commencement 
of the Revolution a small town of only about seven hundred 
inhabitants, no one can pronounce her backward in supplying 
men to prosecute to success, a war which was so gloriously 
commenced within her borders. 



MILITARY AFFAIRS. 393 

And in addition to the men who were duly enrolled for the 
service, there was another voluntary organization, known as "the 
Alarm List," composed of those who were too infirm, too old or 
too young to be subject to military duty in the field. These men 
stood ready to turn out on any sudden emergency. Such organ- 
izations existed in almost every town throughout the Province, 
and in many cases included the clergymen of the parishes, who 
had not in those days embraced that sickly sentimentalism, that 
war in all cases was contrary to the Gospel, and could not inno- 
cently be resorted to under any circumstances — a doctrine which 
has received a stern rebuke by the late slaveholders' rebellion. 
Men of reflection have become satisfied that a nation, like an 
individual, is by the laws of nature — the laws of God, clothed 
with the right of self-preservation ; and when its existence is 
threatened, it is bound by a religious obligation to sustain its 
being at every hazard, and by all the fair means that God and 
nature have put in its power. War is to be dreaded, and 
prevented as far as practicable ; but like the amputating knife, is 
allowable to save the life of the body politic. And though war 
in itself is a great calamity, and leaves many evils in its train, 
the history of the world shows that some of the grandest steps 
in civilization have grown out of the wars which at the time 
were regarded as great calamities. The fact is, God is the God 
of nations as well as of individuals, and he punishes the one as 
well as the other for their sins. As the Amorites of old were 
driven out of Canaan for their iniquities, so nations at the 
present day often feel the chastening of the Almighty in conse- 
quence of their sins. Dealing with men as free moral agents, 
God bears long with them, but when they become hardened in 
their sins — when the measure of their iniquity is full, he permits 
the awful scourge of war to do its strange woi-k. 

What else in the course of nature could have humbled the 
mad ambition of the South, but the mighty struggle through 
which we have recently passed ! What else could have brought 
to a speedy termination that system of slavery which had inter- 
woven itself into the fibres of southern society, polluting the 
very fountain of social morality, of political rectitude, and reli- 
gious faith ! When the lordly masters, prompted by ambition, 
failed in their attempt to spread their corrupt and corrupting 



394 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

institution tlirougli our broad domain, they vainly sou^^lit to 
overthrow the fair fabric of freedom, and establish upon its ruins 
an inglorious empire, resting upon human servitude as its chief 
corner-stone ! ^V purpose so base and inhuman, so repugnant 
to the spirit of the age, and so at variance with the laws of God, 
could not fail to draw down upon the devoted heads of these 
impious rebels, the sore displeasure of Him Avho has made of one 
blood all the nations of the earth. And what instrument of 
punishment was more suitable than the sword which they had 
wickedly drawn ! And what consequence could be more just 
and appropriate than the complete overthrow of the very institu- 
tion they vainly attempted to extend and perpetuate ! Surely 
the righteous Sovereign of the Universe overrules the base 
designs of the unrighteous, and teaches the enemies of human 
freedom, that their unholy schemes shall not prosper. 

This signal overthrow of the institution of slavery by the very 
means employed to sustain and extend it — this converting of the 
mad ambition and base passions which slavery has produced in 
the masters, into instruments for the liberation of the slave, will 
teach the aspirants after power, that their base machinations to 
build up an oligarchy on the ruins of free institutions, must 
prove abortive ; and that the magnitude of their preparations, 
and the vastness of their appliances will only augment the 
greatness of their fall. 

" Oh sons of earth, in vain ye strive to rise, 
By mountains piled on mountains to the skies ! 
Heaven still with laughter the vain toil surveys. 
And buries madmen in the heaps they raise." 

It is difficult to tell what the military organization of the town 
of Lexington was during the Eevolution. In 1779, there were 
two military companies ; for the town at a public meeting voted 
that the interest of the cause required that the two existing com- 
panies be united in one. Immediately after the close of the 
war, there was an important change in military organizations. 
The people had seen the importance of a military force ; and the 
State adopted measures accordingly to make the militia more 
efficient. 



MILITARY AFFAIRS. 395 

In Lexington, an Artillery Company was formed. The 
record of its organization is probably lost. It appears by the 
town Eecords, that at a meeting held December 16, 1784, the 
town voted, "That the Artillery Company noic forming have 
liberty to erect an Artillery Honse on that part of the Common, 
where the Belfry formerly stood." This record, nnimportant in 
other respects, fixes with a good degree of certainty, the period 
when that company was formed. Our prescribed limits will not 
permit us to pursue its history. 

The militia organizations were kept up in INIassachusetts till 
about 1825, when the military spirit began to wane. Some 
were afraid of the expense ; others thought the whole thing un- 
necessary. Pretended philanthropists ridiculed military parades, 
and some pious and shortsighted clergymen Avould supersede war 
by forming Peace Societies, and restrain the grasping ambition 
of the nations, by holding Peace Conventions, and passing 
abstract Resolutions. Such views and feelings tended to bring 
the military into disrepute, and our militia system was practically 
given up. In the cities and large towns there were a few volun- 
teer companies ; and this was all the organization which in fact 
existed at the commencement of the recent rebellion. 

But the late struggle through which we have passed, has, we 
hope, convinced the reflecting, that resolutions are less protective 
in an hour of danger than batteries, and that rebels have less 
dread of Peace Conventions than of well appointed armies. 
AVhen we consider the important services rendered by the few 
organized regiments of IMassachusetts, by appearing promptly at 
Washington, when that city was threatened, we must see the 
wisdom of military preparation ; and if our law-makers are 
wise, they will see to it, that a partial organization at least, be 
kept up, until the States lately in rebellion show more humility 
than they do at present, and manifest a spirit more in accordance 
with the knoAvn will of the people. Moral suasion has great 
power ; but it is rendered more efficient when it is known that 
there is a military arm which wiU sustain it in an exigency. 

During the rebellion, Lexington, as we have seen, was not 
behind her neighboring towns. She furnished more than her 
quota of men. The following is a list of men, with their rank 
and term of service, as reported by the Selectmen in 1866. 



396 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

Officers, Soldiers and Seamen, of the Town of Lexington, who have 
been in the Service of the United States, since the Commencement of 
the Rebellion. 

ARMY. 
April 16, 18G1. — Edward T. Chandler, 3d Reg. Co. C. 3 mos. 
Sept. 21, 1861. — Ke-enlisted 22d Reg. Co. F. 3 years. 

Wounded in liand near the Wilderness, Va., May, 1864. 
May — , 1861. — Samuel E. Chandler, 5th Reg. Co. K. 3 mos. 

Wounded and taken prisoner at the first Bull-Run battle. He was 
confined in Richmond till Feb., 1862, wheu he was released. 

— Re-enlisted 12th Reg. 3 years. 

He was Sergeant in Co. D, promoted to Quarternnaster Sergeant, 
discharged to accept the office of 1st Lieut., in 7th Mo. Cavalry, 
and served as Adjutant. 
May 1, 1861. — Frank V. Butters, 5th Reg. Co. K. 3 mos. 

— Royal Ramsey, 5th Reg. Co. K. 3 mos. 
May — , 1861. — Elijah D. Gossom, 5th Reg. Co. K. 3 mos. 

— Re-enlisted IGth Reg. Co. H. 3 years. 

Discharged for disability, April 9, 1863. 
May — , 1861. — Henry A. Angier, 5th Reg. Co. K. 3 mos. 

Wounded and taken prisoner at first Bull-Run battle, was confined 
at Richmond. 

— William W. Melvin, 5th Reg. Co. K. 3 mos. 
Sept. — , 1862. —Re-enlisted 5th Reg. Co. H. 9 mos. 

May — , 1861. — Wilbur F. Harding, 5th Reg. Co. K. 3 mos. 
Sept. — , 1862. — Re-enlisted 5th Reg. Co. H. 9 mos. 
May — , 1861. — Henry Johnson, 5th Reg. Co. G. 3 mos. 
June — , 1861. — John Gallagher, 9th Reg. Co. I. 3 years. 

Disabled temporarily by the bursting of a shell in McClellan's re- 
treat near Richmond. 

— Joseph H. P. Fiske, 11th Reg. Co. G. 3 years. 

Discharged. Re-enlisted Veteran. 

— Charles A. Fiske, 11th Reg. Co. G. 3 years. 

Wounded severely in the arm. Re-enlisted Veteran. 

— Andrew A. Harrington, 11th Reg. Co. G. 3 years. 

— Francis H. Kneeland, 12th Reg. Co. G. 3 years. 

— Charles H. Fiske, 12th Reg. Co. G. 3 years. 

Killed .at Antietam, Sept. 1862. 

— Daniel G. Fiske, 12th Reg. Co. G. 3 years. 

— John H. Peters, 12th Reg. Co. E. 3 years. 

Corporal. Wounded at Antietam. 

— Adam Peters, 12th Reg. Co. E. 3 years. 

Wounded in the head. 

— George Linsey, 12th Reg. Co. E. 3 years. 

— Charles H. Puffer, 12th Reg. Co. E. 3 years. 

Wounded at Fredericksburg, and died at Alexandria. 

— Loring W. Muzzey, 12th Reg. Co. E. 3 years. 

Promoted to Quartermaster, May, 1862, to Captain and Commissary 
of Sulisistcncc, March, 18C4, and to Major and Cominiss:iry of 
Subsistence, July, 1860. 



MILITARY AFFAIRS. 397 

June — , 1861. — George E. Muzzey, 12th Reg. Co. E. 3 years. 

Promoted to QuarttTiiiasterScrfjeant, June, ISO'J, to l«t Lieutenant 
July, 18G3, ami appointed C^uartorniastcr, March, 1864. 

— A. H, Kneeland, r2tli Reg. Co. E. 8 years. 

— James A. Williams, 12tli Reg. Co. E. 3 years. 

— Benjamin Thorn, 12th Reg. Co. E. 3 years. 

Killed. 

— Henry A. Lovewell, 12th Reg. Co. E. 3 years. 

Discharged. 
July — , 1861. —Charles Cutler, 16th Reg. Co. H. 3 years. 

Died August 29, 1862, of disease contracted in the service. 

— E. E. Hatch, 16th Reg. Co. H. 3 years. 

Killed May 3, 1863, at Chancellorsville, Va. 

— H. W. Stearns, 16th Reg. Co. H. 3 years. 

— Isaac F. Buttrick, 16th Reg Co. H. 3 years. 

Wounded, and discliarged. 

— Charles F. Buttrick, 16th Reg. Co. H. 3 years. 

— Sumner Crosby, 16th Reg. Co. H. 3 years. 

— George Flint, Jr., 16th Reg. Co. H. 3 years. 

Wounded in the hand. 

— William M. Locke, 16th Reg. Co. H. 3 years. 

— Jonas F. Capell, 16th Reg. Co. K. 3 years. 

2d Lieutenant, June, 1862, Ist Lieutenant, August, 1862, Captain, 
1863. Major by Brevet. 

— Ralph Cole, 16th Reg. Co. K. 3 years. 

— Isaac F. Kinaston, 16th Reg. Co. K. 3 years. 

— John O. Niel, 16th Reg. Co. K. 3 years. 

Wounded in the foot, lie-enlisted in the Veteran Reserve Corpi. 

— John Healy, 16th Reg. Co. H. 3 years. 

Discharged August, 1863, for disability, having been wounded iu 
the hand. 

— Charles R. Johnson, 16th Reg. Co. F. 3 years. 

Captain. Was wounded at Chancellorsville, and again at Gettys- 
burg, and died at home of the latter wound. 

— Charles McMahan, 16th Reg. Co. A. 3 years. 

— John Howard, 16th Reg. Co. F. 3 years. 

Discharged March, 1802. 

— Re-enlisted. 

— F. Murphy, 16th Reg. Co. F. 3 years. 

— John Bannon, 16th Reg. Co, K. 3 years. 
Aug. — , 1861. — William De Coty, 12th Reg. Co. E. 3 years. 

Died of wounds received at second BuU-Iiun battle, October 18, 
1862. 

— John G. Sherman, 12th Reg. Co. E. 3 years. 

Wounded at Fredericksburg. 

— John Manley, 12th Reg. Co. E. 3 years. 

Killed at Fredericksburg. 

— William W. Jones, 12th Reg. Co. E. 3 years. 

Re-enlisted Veteran Reserve. 

— Michael Crowley, 12th Reg. Co. E. 3 years. 

— George B. Dennett, 12th Reg. Co. E. 3 years. 

Was taken prisoner, and confined in several prisons, aud at last 
transferred to Audersonville, 



398 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

Aug. — , 1861. — Windsor Smith, 13th Reg. Co. B. 3 years. 

Discliartred. 

— Josepli Chandler, 13th Reg. Co. B. 3 years. 

Taken prisoner at the second Bull-Ruu Battle, paroled, and dis- 
charged for disability. 

— Charles B. Harrington, 13th Reg. Co. B. 3 years. 

Died September, 1862, of disease contracted in the service, 

— George H. Smith, 13th Reg. Co. B. 3 years. 

— William Green, 13th Reg. Co. B. 3 years. 

— John Crowley, 14th Reg. Co. C. 3 years. 
Sept. — , 1861. —Thomas H. Earle, 1st Cavalry. 3 years. 

Died July, 18i)3, in South Carolina. 

— Luke Estabrooks, 1st Cavalry. 3 years. 

— William Estabrooks, 1st Cavalry. 3 years. 

— Henry M. Jones, 1st Cavalry. 3 years. 

— Charles Cole, 1st Cavalry. 3 years. 

— John K. Hanscom, 1st Cavalry. 3 years. 

Discharged for disability. 

— George B. Hildreth, 1st Cavalry. 3 years. 

— James Cody, 1st Cavalry. 3 years. 

Discharged. 

— Cyrus M. Cutler, 22d Reg. Co. F. 3 years. 

— Joseph Siraonds, 22d Reg. Co. F. 3 years. 

Corporal. Died October, 1862, of wounds received at Malvern Hill. 

— George D. Harrington, 22d Reg. Co. F. 3 years. 

— Thomas K. Sawin, 22d Reg. Co. F. 3 years. 

Discharged. 

Sept. — , 18C2. — Re-enlisted In 45th Reg. Co. D. 9 mos. 

— Charles A. Gould, 23d Reg. Co. K. 3 years. 

Promoted to Assistant Adjutant General, rank of Captain, 

— Luther H. Pushee, 1st Cavalry, 3 years. 

— Martin Walsh, 1st Cavalry. 3 years. 
Dec. — , 1861. — John Callahan, 30th Reg. 3 years. 

Re-enlisted. 

1861. — William Gleason, 1st Sharpshooters. 3 years. 

Discharged. 

— Frank W. Bryant, 1st Sharpshooters. 3 years. 

— Alvin Cole, 1st Sharpshooters. 3 years. 

— Nathan W. Penniman, 1st Sharpshooters. 3 years. 

— Sayles V. Lawrence, 1st Sharpshooters. 3 years. 

— Henry L. Wheelock, 1st Sharpshooters. 3 years. 

— E. R. Bullard, N. Y. 6th Reg. 3 years. 

Killed. 

— A. Trask, N, Y, 5th Mozart Reg. 3 years. 

— John Gately, N. Y. 5th Reg. 3 years. 

Discharged, 

Mar. — , 1862. —Jeremiah Logan, 19th Reg. 3 years. 

Wounded, and discharged. He had served in the English army at 
the Crimea. 

Mar. — , 1864. — Re-enlisted 28th Reg. 3 years. 

Wounded. 

— Thomas Kelley, 20th Reg. Co. A. 3 years. 



raLITARY AFFAIRS. 399 

May — , 1862. — William Dillon, 21st Reg. 3 years. 
Aug. — , 1862. — Hugh O. Donncll, 20th Reg. 3 years. 

— Adams Stimpson, 20th Reg. 3 years. 

— Samuel Adams, 20th Reg. 3 years. 

— James Isherwood, 20th Reg. 3 years. 

— John W. Hudson, 35th Reg. Co. D. 3 years. 

2d Lieutenant, Co. D. Ist Lieutenant, Co. D, September, 18«2, 
Captain, Co. II, Novemlier, 1863, Major, September, 1864, and 
Lieutenant Colonel, February, 1865. 

— Benjamin M. Marchant, 35th Reg. Co. D. 3 years. 

Sergeant. 

— Jarvis W. Dean, 35th Reg. Co. D. 3 years. 

Sergeant, Co. K, wounded severely at Antlfetam, and discharged 
for dieability. 

— Timothy Leary, 40th Reg. Co. F. 3 years. 

Killed. 

— Warren Kinaston, 38th Reg. Co. F. 3 years. 

Died June, 1804. 

— Thomas Cosgrove, 40th Reg. Co. F. 3 years. 

— Charles M. Parker, 24th Reg. 3 years. 

— Charles Flagg, 24th Reg. 3 years. 

Re-enlisted. 

— George A. Trull, 24th Reg. 3 years. 

— N. B. Chamberlain, 24th Reg. Co. A. 3 years. 

Re-enlisted. 

— Daniel Crowley, 28th Reg. Co. A. 3 years. 

— D. Conway, 28th Reg. Co. A. 3 years. 

— William P. Briggs, 32d Reg. 3 years. 

— Lucius B. Angler, 1st Cavalry. 3 years. 
Sept. — , 1862. — Alvin W. Harding, 5th Reg. Co. H. 9 months. 

— Frederic H. Harding, 5th Reg. Co. H. 9 months. 

— Arthur F. Gould, 44th Reg. 9 months. 

— William Winning, 44th Reg. 9 months. 

— Ira G. Kinaston, 45th Reg. Co. C. 9 months. 

— Isaac W. Holmes, 45th Reg. Co. D, 9 months. 

— George W. Wright, 45th Reg. Co. D. 9 months. 

— Willis L. Wright, 45th Reg. Co. D. 9 months. 

— Walter R. Wright, 45th Reg. Co. D. 9 months. 

— Frank O. Kendall, 45th Reg. Co. D. 9 months. 

Sergeant. 

— Samuel H. Jones, 45th Reg. Co. D. 9 months. 

Corporal. 

— Re-enlisted Heavy Artillery. 

— George Simonds, Jr., 45th Reg. Co. D. 9 months. 

— Josiah Bryant, 45th Reg. Co. D. 9 months. 

— Sidney Butters, 45th Reg. Co. D. 9 months. 

— George H Butterfield, 45th Reg. Co. D. 9 months. 

— David Fitch, 45th Reg. Co. D. 9 months. 

— Clifford Saville, 45th Reg. Co. D. 9 months. 

Slightly wounded in the head. 
51 



400 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

Sept. — , 1862. — Ilcnry E Crouch, 45th Reg, Co. D. 9 months. 

— John D. Bussey, 45th Reg. Co. D. 9 months. 

— Abraham W. Johnson, 45th Reg. Co. D. 9 months. 

— Charles L. Tidd, 48th Reg. Co. A. 9 months. 

— Origen B. Darling, 45th Reg. Co. D. 9 months. 
Oct. — , 1863. — Re-enlisted 1st Battery, Co. B. 3 months. 

Oct. — , 1862. — William A, Merriam, 47th Reg. Co. G. 9 months. 

— John Byron, 47th Reg. Co. G. 9 months. 

Died at New Orleans. 

— Charles H. Dean, 47th Reg. Co. G. 9 months. 

— Milton Nourse, 47th Reg. Co. G. 9 months. 

— Frank H. Capell, 47th Reg. Co. G. 9 months. 
April — , 1864. — Re-enlisted in the Regular Army. 

Oct. — , 1862. — William B. Nason, 38th Reg. 3 years. 

— James R. Carpenter, 38th Reg. 3 years. 

Dec. — , 1862. —John Grover, N. Y. 99th Reg. Co. K. 3 years. 

July — , 1863. — Albert Hanford, 3d Bat. Unattached Heavy Art. 3 yrs. 

— Clarence Hanford, 3d Bat. Unattach'd Heavy Art. 3 yrs. 
I^ov. — , 1863. — Charles Berlitz. 3 years. 

— Curtis Williams, 54th Reg. 3 years. 

— Patrick Faley, 56th Reg. Co. B. 3 years. 

— Charles F. Buxton. 3 years. 

— John F. Donnelly, 56th Reg. 3 years. 

— Alfred Johnson, 4th Cavalry. 3 years. 

— James S. O'Brien, 2nd Heavy Art. Co. G. 3 years. 

— Francis A. Bergain, 4th Cavalry. 3 years. 
Dec. — , 1863. — Thomas French, 4th Cavalry. 3 years. 

■ — Francis Edgar, 3d Cavalry, 3 years. 

— Edward Connauton, 55th Reg. 3 years. 

— William Byle. 3 years. 

— Dennis McMahan, 56th Reg. Co, C. 3 years. 

Was taken prisoner at Petersburg, and died at Andersonville. 

— Patrick Gray, 2d Heavy Art. Co. G. 3 years. 

— Matthew Egan, 2d Heavy Art. Co. H. 3 years. 

— James Sheena, 2d Heavy Art. Co. G. 3 years. 

— John Wright, 11th Bat. Co. C. 3 years. 
Mar. — , 1864. — William Manning, 28th Reg. 3 years. 

— Stephen Carroll, 28th Reg. 3 years. 

May — , 1864. — James McGuire, 3d U. S. Art. Regular Army. 3 years. 

— William Viglo, 3d U. S. Art. Regular Army. 3 years. 
19, •• — Patrick Purcell, Invalid Corps. 3 years. 

Discharged for disability. 
*' 31, " — Daniel Jacobson, 2nd Infantry. 3 years. 

— Barney Fryer, 2nd Infantry, 3 years. 

— Charles Wilson, 2nd Infantry. 3 years. 

— Thomas Mills, 2nd Infantry. 3 years. 
May — , 1864, — Thonuas Swain, 2nd Infantry. 

— James Converse, 2nd Infantry. 



MILITARY AFFAIRS. 4Q1 

May — , 1864. — John Nevin. 

Died before mustering in. 

— Richard Rankin, 28th Reg. 

— James J. Bull, 28th Reg. 

— William Buckett, 28th Reg. 

— August Lent, 28th Reg. 

Wounded. 

— John Maloney, 28th Reg. 

— Cyrus S. Capell, Regular Army. 

— G. A. Wheeler, Regular Army. 

— Charles L. Potter, 3rd Unattached Heavy Artillcrj'. 

— E. S. Locke, 2nd Heavy Artillery. 1 year. 

— Jonas Bartlett, 2nd Heavy Artillery. 1 year. 

— Luke McGrath, 2nd Heavy Artillery. 

— Cornelius Manly, 2nd Heavy Artillery. 

— C. A. Grover, 2nd Heavy Artillery. 

— Michael Keefe, 2nd Heavy Artillery. 
~ T. McCarty, 2nd Heavy Artillery. 

— E. A. Cooper, 2nd Heavy Artillery. 

— T. W. Childs, 2nd Heavy Artillery. 

— Moses Wyman, 2nd Heavy Artillery. 
Mar. — ,1864. — William Smith. 3 years. Colored. 

— Mose Evans. 3 years. Colored. 

— E. H. Somes. 3 years. Colored. 

— Jacob Carson. 3 years. Colored. 

May — ,1864. — Adam Naylor, 5th Cavalry, Co. C. 3 years. Colored. 
Feb. — ,1865. — James Cannedy. 3 years. Colored. 

NAVY. 

Charles O. Muzzey, in the Navy. 

Entered the Navy, November, 1861, as Aide and Secretary to Captain 
Pickering, U. S. Steamer Kearsarge, transferred to Steamer Hons- 
atonic, May, 1863, Ivillod by the explosion of a torpedo, in Charles- 
ton Harbor, Feb. 18, 1864. 

G. G. Wheeler, in the Navy. 
Peter Bannon, in the Navy. 
Joseph Gammon, Steamer Mississippi. 
Joseph Gerard, in the Navy. 
^ Discharged. 

Jeremiah Crowley, in the Navy. 

John Whitman, in the Navy. 

Charles Fiske, Jun., U. S. Ship San Jacinto. 

William B. Fiske, in the Navy. 

Discharged. 
Bowen Buckley, in the Navy. 

In the above and the previous mihtaryhsts, we have generally 
adopted the spelling found on the rolls, though in many cases it 
is probably incorrect. 



CHAPTER XYII. 



MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 



List of Selectmen — School Committees — Assessors — Town Clerks — Treas- 
urers — Committees of Correspondence — Kepresentatives — Senators — 
Justices of the Peace — College Graduates. 

It may be gratifying to us to know who have enjoyed the 
confidence of the people from time to time, and who have filled 
the principal places of honor and trust in the town. It is 
proposed to give a list of the Selectmen, School Committees, 
Assessors, Clerks, and Treasurers. Also to give the names of 
the Representatives, Senators, and Justices of the Peace, as far 
as the same can be ascertained. Such lists not only show who 
were the prominent men at different periods, but they show the 
views and habits of the people in relation to rotation in office. 
And if it should appear that our fathers fell into one extreme, it 
may appear that we have fallen into the other. We will give 
the list from the incorporation of the town to the present day. 



List of Selectmen^ from the Incorporation of the Toxon to the present 
day, together with the years they served; arranged in the order in 
which they first entered upon their office. 



Matthew Bridge, 1712, 13. 

■William Reed, 1712, 14. 

Francis Bowman, 1712, 13, 15, 16, 21, 

24, 26-28. 
Joseph Simonds, 1712. 
John Merriam, 1712, 13, 19-21, 23. 
Joseph Estabrook, 1713, 15-17. 
Thomas Blodgett, 1713, 18-20, 22-24. 
Joseph Bowman, 1714-16, 21, 24, 26, 

27, 29, 31, 33-38. 
Samuel Stone, 1714, 15, 23. 
"NVilUam Munroe, 1714-16, 25. 



Joseph Tidd, 1714. 

Joseph Fassett, 1716, 17, 19, 21, 25-27, 

30, 39. 
John Lawrence, 1716, 17^ 22, 25, 26. 
Benjamin Wellington, 1717-23, 25-30, 

32, 33, 36, 37. 
Thomas Merriam, 1717, 22, 23. 
John Munroe, 1718-20. 
John Paulter, 1718. 
Thomas Cutler, Jr., 1718, 28, 30, 32. 
Samuel Locke, 1720, 29. 
Joseph Brown, 1722, 24, 25, 27. 



MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 



403 



William ^Munroe,* 1724, 30, 34, 35. 

Samuel Winship, 1728-30, 32, 33. 

George ^lunroe, 1728. 

John :Mason, 1729, 34-36. 

Jonathan Simonds, 1732. 

Matthew Bridge, Jr., 1732, 33, 40, 44, 

45. 
John Cutler, 1733. 
William Reed, 1734-38, 43, 53, 54, 57, 

58, 61. 
John Stone, Jr., 1734-37, 39, 40, 46, 

48, 52, 
Joseph Estabrook, 1737, 38. 
John Laughton, 1738. 
Benjamin Reed, 1738, 41, 42, 44-46, 

48, 59,60. 

Benjamin Smith, 1739-42, 44, 45, 47, 

49, 53-55, 58. 

Isaac Bowman, 1739, 43, 47, 53-55, 58- 

60, 
Ebenezer Fiske, 1789, 40, 43, 45, 47, 

49, 60, 53, 54, 57. 
Daniel Simonds, 1740, 55. 
John Muzzy, 1741, 42, 44. 
Daniel Tidd, 1741, 42, 46, 48-52, 57. 
Samuel Stone, 1741, 42. 
Josiah Parker, 1743-45, 53-55. 
Joseph Stone, 1743. 
Joshua Simonds, 1746, 
John Bridge, 1746, 56, 
Isaac Stone, 1747, 48, 51. 
John Hoar, 1747, 48. 
David Cutler, 1749-51. 
Thomas Robbins, 1749. 
Nathaniel Trask, 1750. 
Amos Muzzy, 1750. 
Robert Harrington, 1752, 62, 63, 65, 

66, 69-72, 74, 77, 78, 83, 84. 
Daniel Brown, 1752, 61. 
Jonathan Lawrence, 1752. 
John ^lason, 1755, 

Jonas Stone, 1756, 58, 61-67, 69-71, 73. 
Hezekiah Smith, 1756. 
James Brown, 1756. 
Thaddeus Bowman, 1756-61, 65, 66, 

69-71, 73. 
Joseph Bridge, 1757. 



Samuel Bridge, 1758-60. 

John Buckman, 1759, 60. 

Joseph Tidd, 1761, 66, 67. 

Ebenezer Smith, 1762-64, 69. 

Marrett Munroe, 1702-64, 67. 

Bejijamin Brown, 1762-66, 69, 70. 

Samuel Stone, Jr., 1765. 

Daniel Brown, 1767, 

Samuel Hastings, 1767, 73, 78, 80, 

Hammond Reed, 1770, 72, 74, 80, 89. 

Josiah Smith, 1771, 72, 74, 76, 77. 

Jonathan Smith, 1771. 

Thomas Robbins, Jr., 1772, 74, 78. 

John Chandler, 1772, 74, 76, 79, 80, 

82-84, 86, 89. 
Jonathan Harrington, 1773, 76. 
John Muzzy, 1773. 
Thomas Parker, 1776, 77. 
Nathan Simonds, 1776. 
Philip Russell, 1776, 77. 
William Tidd, 1776, 78, 79, 83, 87, 88. 
Joshua Reed, 1777, 78, 80. 
Thomas Winship, 1779, 81. 
Daniel Harrington, 1779, 85, 86. 
William Munroe, 1779, 82-84, 89, 90, 

99, 1804, 5. 
Benjamin Brown, 1780. 
William Reed, 1780. 
Benjamin Estabrook, 1781, 82. 
Phinehas Stearns, 1781, 82. 
Francis Brown, 1781-83. 
Joseph Simonds, 1784, 87, 88, 90, 94. 
Amos Marrett, 1785, 80, 89-91. 
Nathan Reed, 1785-88. 
Joseph Smith, 1785, 89-91, 93. 
Benjamin Wellington, 1785, 92. 
Amos Muzzy, 1786-88. 
John Parkhurst, 1791. 
Joel Viles, 1791. 
Joseph Fiske, Jr., 1791. 
Thomas Fessenden, 1792. 
Isaac Hastings, 1792-98, 1802-4, 9-11. 
John Mulliken, 1792, 93, 96-1800, 2, 3, 

6-16. 
Jonas Bridge, 1792, 94-98. 
Joseph Smith, 1793. 
Joseph Fiske, 1793. 



* It frequently happens, in this list, that the same name appears at different times; but 
the individuals are uot the same. The family names being the same, create someconfusion. 



404 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



James Brown, 179i, 1800, 2, 3. 

David Fiske, 1795. 

John Chandler, 1796-98. 

Nathan Chandler, 1796-1800, 4, 9-17. 

Stephen Winship. 1799-1801. 

Thomas Tufts, 1799, ISOO. 

Nathan Dudley, 1799-1801. 

Joshua Russell, lSOl-3. 

Joshua Reed, ISOl. 

Josiah Smith, 1801, 4-6. 

Abijah Harrington, 1802, 3, 9, 10. 

Nathan Russell, 1804-6. 

Thomas Locke, 1804. 

Jacob Robinson, 1805, 6. 

Joshua Swan, 1805, 6. 

Amos Muzzy, Jr., 1807, 8, 17-19. 

John Muzzy, 1807, 8. 

Nathan Munroe, 1807, 8. 

Abraham Smith, 1808. 

Joseph Underwood, 1809. 

Charles Reed, 1810-21, 30. 

Nathan Fessenden, 1811-13. 

James Brown, Jr., 1812, 13. 

Benjamin O. Wellington, 1814-16, 29, 

31. 
John Muzzy, Jr., 1814-16. 
Nathaniel Cutler, 1817-23. 
Isaac Reed, 1817. 
Phinehas Lawrence, 1820-23. 
Benjamin Reed, 1822-27. 
Nathaniel Mulliken, 1824-29, 47. 
"William Chandler, 1824-27. 



Francis Bowman, 1828. 

Francis Wyman, 1828. 29. 

John Mulliken, Jr., 1830, 31. 

Joel Viles, 1831-35, 52-56. 

Philip Russell, 1832-40, 49, 50, 56, 57. 

Solomon Harrington, 1832-36. 

Charles Robinson, 1836, 37, 56, 57. 

Isaac Mulliken, 1837-40. 

Sidney Lawrence, 1838, 36. 

Benjamin Muzzey, 1840-43, 48. 

Charles James, 1841, 42. 

Nehemiah Wellington, 1841. 

Billings Smith, 1842. 

Jonathan S. Parker, 1843, 44, 49. 

Albert W. Bryant, 1843-47. 

Pelatiah P. Pierce, 1844-46. 

Stephen Locke, 1845, 46. 

Galen Allen, 1847, 48, 51. 

Joseph F. Simonds, 1848, 49. 

Simon W. Robinson, 1850, 51. 

Joseph Howe, 1850, 51. 

Alonzo Goddard, 1852-56. 

Isaac N. Damon, 1852-56. 

Charles Hudson, 1857-61. 

Loring S. Pierce, 1857-59. 

David A. Tuttle, 1858, 59. 

Webster Smith, 1860-65. 

William H. Smith, 2d, 1860-65. 

Hammon Reed, 1862-65. • 

John W. Hudson, 1866, 67. 

Sylvanus W. Smith, 1866, 67. 



List of the Members of the School Cominittee, from 1830 to the 
present day. 



Charles Briggs, 1830-35. 

William Muzzey, 1830, 34. 

Joseph Merriam, 1830, 31. 

John Muzzey, 1830, 31, 36, 37. 

Ambrose Morrell, 1830. 

Samuel Fiske, 1831, 35. 

Benjamin Muzzey, 1831-34, 36, 38-40. 

Charles Tidd, 1832-34, 36-46, 49, 57-69. 

Benjamin O. Wellington, 1832-6. 

Nathaniel Mulliken, 1832, 33. 

Philip Russell, 1836. 

Xsaac Mulliken, 1836, 37. 



James Brown, 1836, 37. 
William G. Swett, 1837. 
Samuel Stetson, 1837, 41. 
O. H. Dodge, 1838-40. 
Oliver Locke, 1841. 
James M. Usher, 1842. 
W\K. Knapp, 1842. 
Charles M. Bowers, 1843, 44. 
John Nelson, 1843. 
Samuel J. May, 1844. 
Samuel B. Cruft, 1844. 
Charles H. Webster, 1845. 



MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 



405 



James Parker, 1845. 

Jason Whitman, 1846, 47. 

T. H. Dorr, 1846-49, 

Webster B. Randolph, 1847, 48. 

Ira Leland, 1848-57. 

Volney Wilder, 1849. 

Fiske Barrett, 1850, 51. 

J. A. Cooledge, 1850, 51. 

Curtis Cutler, 1852. 

William F. Bridge, 1852. 



Charles Hudson, 1853, 56. 

Howland Holmes, 1853, 55, 158-6. 

E. P. Crafts, 1854, 55. 

C. F, Dunbar, 1856. 

Jonas Gammell, 1857, 59-67. 

L. J. Livermore, 1858-66. 

Caleb Stetson, 18G0, 61. 

Luke C. Childs, 1805-67. 

John W. Hudson, 1867. 



List of Assessors^ from the Incorporation of the Town to the present 
time, with the years they respectively served ; arranged in the order in 
which they first appear upon the Record. 



Francis Bowman, 1712, 13, 15, 27. 

William Munroe, 1712. 

Samuel Stearns, 1712, 16. 

Joseph Estabrook, 1713. 

Matthew Bridge, 1713. 

John Munroe, 1714. 

Samuel Locke, 1714. 

Joseph Brown, 1714, 15. 

John Merriam, 1715. 

Joseph Fassett, 1716-19, 24, 27, 30, 31. 

Benjamin Wellington, 1716-27, 29, 31- 

33, 35. 
Thomas Blodgett, 1717, 
Nathaniel Whittemore, 1718. 
John Mason, 1719-21, 23, 25, 30, 31. 
John Munroe, 1720. 
Joseph Brown, 1721, 22, 26. 
John Laughton, 1722-24, 28, 29, 34, 

35, 38, 41. 
Nathaniel Trask, 1725, 39, 40. 
Josiah Parker, 1726, 28, 34, 36-38, 40, 

42-45, 47-50, 52-55. 
William Munroe, 1728, 29, 32. 
Isaac Bowman, 1730, 32, 36, 37, 39, 

40, 42. 46-49, 55, 
Joseph Bowman, 1733. 
John Cutler, 1733. 
Samuel Winship, 1733. 
Matthew Bridge, Jr., 1733, 35, 39. 
Benjamin Reed, 1734, 37. 
Ebenezer Fiske, 1736, 
Daniel Tidd, 1738, 44, 47, 48, 51, 52, 

64-57, 68. 



Nehemiah Abbot, 1741. 

Joseph Bridge, 1741. 

Benjamin Smith, 1742. 

Amos Muzzy, 1743, 49. 

James Merriam, 1743. 

Daniel Brown, 1744, 53. 

Isaac Stone, 1745. 

Thaddeus Bowman, 1745, 50, 63, 56- 

63, 65, 66, 69. 
John Stone, 1746. 
William Reed, 1746. 
John Muzzy, 1746. 
Thomas Robbins, 1746. 
John Hoar, 1750. 

John Buckman, 1751, 62, 54, 55, 60, 

64, 67. 

Benjamin Brown, 1756-62, 64-69, 74, 

77, 78, 83. 
Jonathan Lawrence, 1758, 62, 03. 
Jonas Stone, 1759, 61, 63, 67-72. 
John Parker, 1764-66, 74. 
Josiah Smith, 1770-73, 76, 79, 80. 
Thaddeus Parker, 1770, 71, 73,77. 
Joseph Mason, 1772, 73, 79-89, 95. 
Edmund Munroe, 1774, 76, 77. 
William Tidd, 1776, 79-91. 
John Bridge, 1778, 90, 91. 
Daniel Hairington, 1778. 
John Chandler, 1780-82, 88, 89. 
James Wyman, 1781. 
Thomas Winship, 1782-87. 
Joseph Simonds, 1784, 87, 88, 
Benjamin Brown, 1785, 86, 89-91. 



406 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



Francis Bowman, 1792,93. 

Isaac Hastings, 1792, 95, 96, 1801-3, 

11. 
Isaac Winship, 1793-1813. 
RufusMerriam, 1793, 94. 
Levi Mead, 1794. 
Joseph Smith. 1796-98, 1804. 
William Tidd, 1796-99. 
Jonathan Harrington, 1799, 1800, 17- 

19. 
Joseph Simonds, Jr., 1800, 10, 11, 17. 
Nathan Chandler, 1801-3, 5-9, 15, 16, 

21. 
Josiah Smith, 1801, 11. 
Abijah Harrington, 1806-9, 12-16, 21. 
Rufus Merriam, 1810, H. 
Nathaniel MuUiken, 1812-14, 19-24. 
John Muzzy, Jr., 1815, 16. 
Benjamin 0. "Wellington, 1817, 18. 
William Chandler, 1818, 19, 27-29. 
Oliver Locke, 1820-24. 
Daniel Chandler, 1820-23. 
Nathan Chandler, Jr., 1824-26. 
Oliver Smith, 1825. 

Jacob Robinson, Jr., 1825, 26, 30, 31. 
Josiah Smith, Jr., 1825-27. 
Samuel Fiske, 1827-29. 
Philip Russell, 1828-31, 42. 
Isaac Mulliken, 1830-40, 43, 44. 
William Clapp, 1832, 33, 35. 
Charles Reed, 1832-35. 



James Brown, 1834, 36, 37. 

John Muzzey, 1836. 

Charles Tidd, 1837-42. 

Jacob Robinson, Jr., 1838-40. 

Thomas C. Downing, 1840. 

Nehemiah Wellington, 1840. 

Oliver Locke, 1841, 42. 

William Clapp, 1841. 

John Beals, 1843, 44, 54. 

Charles Robinson, 1843, 44. 

William Chandler, 1845-52, 60, 62. 

Jonas C. Wellington, 1845, 50. 

Silas Cutler, 1845, 46, 50-52. 

Isaac Parker, 1846-48, 50. 

Nathan Fessenden, Jr., 1847-49, 58, 

61-67. 
Stephen Locke, 1849. 
Jonathan S. Parker, 1850-57, 59. 
J. C. Wellington, 1852-54. 
Charles Brown, 1853. 
William H. H. Reed, 1855. 
Billings Smith, 1855. 
Charles Nunn, 1856-59. 
Charles Hudson, 1856. 
Joseph F. Simonds, 1857, 61, 63-67. 
Warren Duren, 1858. 
A. W. Crowningshield, 1859-63. 
William Locke, 1860. 
Eli Simonds, 1860. 
A. W. Bryant, 1860. 
Loring S. Pierce, 1864-67. 



List of Town Clerks, from the Incorporation of the Town to the 
present day, in the order in which they appear upon the Record. 



Matthew Bridge, 1712, 13. 
Joseph Bowman, 1714, 15. 
Joseph Estabrook, 1716, 17, 24. 
Benjamin Wellington, 1718-23, 25-28, 

30, 32, 33, 37, 38. 
John Mason, 1729, 31, 34-36. 
Isaac Bowman, 1739, 47, 63, 54. 
Matthew Bridge, Jr., 1740. 
Daniel Tidd, 1741, 42, 46, 48-52. 
Josiah Parker, 1743-45, 55. 
Thaddeus Bowman, 1756-61, 65. 
Benjamin Brown, 1762-64, 66-69. 



Joseph Mason, 1770-90, 95. 
Joseph Fiske, Jr., 1791-93. 
Rufus Merriam, 1794. 
Nathan Chandler, 1796-1803. 
Obadiah Parker, 1804. 
John Mulliken, 1805-16. 
Charles Reed, 1817-23. 
Nathaniel ]SIulliken, 1824-32. 
Charles Tidd, 1833-38. 
John Mulliken, Jr., 1839-43. 
James Keyes, 1844. 
Albert W. Bryant, 1845-67. 



MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 



407 



List of Toion Treasurers from the Incorporation of the Town to the 
present day, with the years they served; arranged in chronological 



order. 

Matthew Bridge, 1712-16. 
John Munroe, 1717-20. 
Joseph Estabrook, 1721-24. 
Joseph Loring, 1725, 26. 
Benjamin Wellington, 1727-29. 
Matthe-w Bridge, Jr., 1730-32, 40. 
"William ISIunroe, 1733-35, 
Benjamin Wellington, Jr., 1736. 
Isaac Bowman, 1737-39. 
Nehemiah Abbot, 1740, 41. 
John Stone, 1742, 43. 
John Bridge, 1744-46. 
Thomas Merriam, 1747. 
Jonas Merriam, 1748-54. 
Jonas Stone, 1755-78. 
John Chandler, 1779-89. 
Benjamin Brown, 1790. 
Francis Brown, 1791, 92. 



John MuUiken, 1703-1800. 

Amos Muzzy, Jr., 1801-3, 5, 6. 

Nathan (Chandler, 1804, 7-16, 19, 20. 

Ilufus Merriam, 1817, 18. 

John Muzzy, Jr., 1820-23. 

Charles Reed, 1824-31. 

Nathaniel Mulliken, 1832-35, 37, 38, 

49-54, 5), 58, 59. 
William Chandler, 1836. 
Jonathan S. Parker, 1839-44. 
John Viles, Jr., 1845-49. 
J. C. Wellington, 1855. 
James S. Munroe, 1857. 
Charles Nunn, 1800-64. 
Leonard A. Saville, 1865. 
Webster Smith, 1866. 
Isaac N. Damon, 1867. 



Committees of Correspondence. 

As these Committees constituted a kind of government, or at 
least a channel of communication through the Colony ; and as 
they were generally composed of the most intelligent and rehable 
men in the town, it is well to give their names. 



1773. 
Captain Thaddeus Bowman. 
Deacon Jonas Stone. 
Ensign Robert Harrington. 
Deacon Benjamin Brown. 
Deacon Joseph Loring. 

1776. 
Deacon James Stone. 
Captain John Bridge. 
Lieutenant Edmund Munroe. 
Lieutenant Joseph Simonds. 
Lieutenant Francis Brown. 

1778. 
Deacon Benjamin Brown. 
John Chandler. 

62 



Hammond Reed. 
Jonathan Harrington. 
Joseph Smith. 

1780. 
Benjamin Danforth. 
Joseph Phelps. 
Bezaleel Lawrence. 
Benjamin Tidd. 
Thaddeus Harrington. 

Called also a Committee of Safety. 



1781. 
Samuel Hastings. 
Lieutenant Benjamin Wellington. 
Samuel Tidd. 



408 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



List of Representatives to the General Court from the Incorporation 
of the Town to the present day, with the years they served ; arranged 
in chronological order. 



Joseph Bowman, 1713. 18, 34-37. 

William Reed, 1714, 16, 17. 

Francis Bowman, 1715, 20, 22, 26, 27, 

32, 33, 
Thomas Blodgett, 1719, 21. 
Joseph Estabrook, 1723, 25. 
Benjamin Wellington, 1728-31. 
Joseph Fassett, 1738-40. 
William Reed, 1741-47, 50, 60-62, 64- 

67, 69, 70. 
Isaac Bowman, 1748, 49. 
Benjamin Reed, 1751-58, 63, 68. 
Jonas Stone, 1771-77. 
Hobert Harrington, 1778-81. 
Benjamin Brown, 1783-86. 
Joseph Simonds, 1787-94, 96-1803. 
Isaac Hastings, 1804. 5. 
William Munroe, 1806, 7. 
Nathan Chandler, 1808-12, 21, 22, 24. 
James Brown, 1813-17. 
Abijah Harrington, 1825. 
John Muzzy, 1825, 27. 



Samuel Fiske, 1828-30. 
Charles Reed, 1831, 32. 
Ambrose Morrell, 1832, 33. 
John Mulliken, Jr., 1834, 35. 
Philip Russell, 1834-36, 39, 48-52. 
Nehemiah Wellington, 1836-38. 
Isaac Mulliken, 1837, 40, 41. 
Phinehas Lawrence, 1839. 
Charles James, 1842. 
Benjamin ^luzzey, 1843. 
Sullivan Burbank, 1846, 47. 
William Chandler, 1853. 
Charles Brown, 1854. 
Curtis Cutler, 1855. 
Simon W. Robinson, 1856. 
Charles Hudson, 1857. 
Charles K. Tucker, 1858. 
Abraham W. Crowningshield, 1859. 
William H. Smith, 1862. 
William A. Tower, 1863. 
John C. Blasdell, 1868. 



It will be seen that the above numbers do not include every 
year. In the vacant years the town was not represented. The 
five last named Representatives were chosen by the District, 
consisting of Lexington, Bedford, and Burlington, and the last 
year, of Carlisle also. These towns furnish the Representatives 
somewhat in rotation, and only the Lexington men are inserted 
here. 

Senators and Councillors. 
Nathan Chandler, 1825-28. Samuel Chandler, 1839. 



Wlien Nathan Chandler was chosen, the Senators and Coun- 
cillors were chosen as one body, and the Legislature selected 
nine from that body as Councillors. Mr. Chandler was several 
times selected for that purpose. 



MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 



409 



Delegates. 

Jonas Stonk was Delegate to the First Provincial Congress, 1774, and 
the Second and Third, 1775. 

Rev. Jonas Clarke was Delegate to the Convention which formed the 
Constitution in 1779 ; Benjamin Brown, a Delegate to the Convention 
•which ratified the Constitution of the United States, 1788. 

Nathan Chandler was a Delegate to the Convention to Revise the 
Constitution in 1820 ; and Joel Viles in the Convention to Revise the 
Constitution in 1853. 



Justices of the Peace^ unth the dates of their fiist appointment, as far 

as ascertained. 



Joseph Bowman. 
1720. Francis Bowman. 

William Reed. 
1754. Benjamin Reed. 
1775. Benjamin Brown. 
1775. William Reed. 
1775. Isaac Bowman. 

1781. Benjamin Estabrook. 

1782. Robert Harrington. 
1795. John Bridge. 
ISOI. Nathan Chandler. 

1801. Isaac Hastings. 

1802. John Mulliken. 
1813. Joseph Fiske. 
1813. Jonas Bridge. 
1815. James Brown. 
1815. Thomas Whitcomb. 
1822. Amos Muzzy, Jr. 
1826. John Muzzy. 
1826. Elias Phinney. 
1830. William Chandler. 
1830. Samuel Fiske. 
1830. Nathaniel Mulliken. 
1832. Ambrose Morell. 



1832. Samuel Stetson. 
1839. Samuel Chandler. 
1843. Jacob Robinson. 
184 6. Benjamin Muzzy. 
1846. Amos Adams. 

1848. Royal B, WUlis. 

1849. Benjamin Fiske. f 

1850. Simon W. Robinson.f 

1850. William Plumer. 

1851. Christopher Solis. 

1852. Jonathan Harrington, 
1852. Cyrus Reed. 

1852. Charles Hudson. f 
18 34. Marshall Preston. f 

1854. Sylvanus W. Smith. 

1855. R. M. Copeland. 
1855. Albert W. Bryant. 
1859. Isaac N. Damon. 
1859. Hammon Reed. 

1865. Howland Holmes. 

1866. Bowen Harrington. 
1866. Leonard A. Saville. 
1866. George 0. Davis. 



List of Graduates of Colleges from the Town of Lexington. 
John Hancock was graduated at Harvard College in 1719 ; was Libra- 
rian of that institution from 1723 to 1726 ; ordained over the North Church 
in Braintree, November 2, 1728, and died May 7, 1744, aged 41. He was 
the oldest son of Rev. John Hancock, of Lexington, and the father of the 
celebrated John Hancock, of the Revolution, who was President of the 



t Those marked with an obelisk (f) received their first commissions for other places at an 
earlier date, and were renewed for Lexington at the dates mentioned above, Charles 
Hudson's commission was for all the covmtieB of the Commonwealth, 



410 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

Continental Congress, and the first Governor of Massaoliusetts under the 
Constitution. 

Jonathan Bowman graduated at Harvard College in 1724; studied 
theology, and was onlaiued at Dorchester, November 5, 1729; died May 
30, 1775. He was son of Joseph Bowman, Esq., who died in 1752. 

Ebenezer Hancock graduated at Harvard College in 1728. He was 
the third son of Rev. John Hancock, of Lexington. He was ordained 
colleague with his fatlier, in Lexington, January 2, 1734, and died January 
28, 1740, aged 29 years. 

Edmund Bov^'man graduated at Harvard College in 1728. He was a 
merchant at Portsmouth, N. H. He was brother of JonaJ.han mentioned 
above. He died 1745. 

Thaddeus Mason graduated at Harvard College in 1728. He was 
Clerk of the Court of Common Bleas of Middlesex, and died May 1, 1802, 
aged 95 years. 

Philkmon Robbins graduated at Harvard College in 1729 ; was or- 
dained at Branford, Conn. He had two sons who were liberally educated 
clergymen, Chandler, (Yale, 1756,) and Ammi Ruhamah, (Yale, 1760,) 
the former had three sons who weregraduates at Harvard College. He 
died 1781. 

JosiAii Brown graduated at Harvard College in 1735; was a preacher 
at Lancaster, ]\Lass., and died March 4, 1774. He was son of Joseph 
Brown, the first of the Lexington Browns. 

Matthew Bridge graduated at Harvard College in 1741 ; was ordained 
at Framingham, February 19, 174G, and died September 3, 1775, aged 55 
years. He was Chaplain to the Army at Cambridge at the breaking out of 
the Revolution, and contracted the disease of the camp, of which he died 
in a short time after leaving the army. He was a son of Matthew, 

Nathaniel Trask graduated at Harvard College in 1742 ; was ordained 
at Epping, N. H., and died in 1789, aged G7 years. 

Nathaniel Robbins graduated at Harvard College in 1747; was 
ordained at Milton, February 13, 1751, and died May 19, 1795, aged 69 
years. 

Jonas Merriam graduated at Harvard College in 1753 ; was ordained 
at Newton, Mass., March 22, 1758, and died August 13, 1780, aged 50 
years. 

JosiAH Bridge graduated at Harvard College in 1758 ; was ordained 
at East Sudbury, (now Wayland,) November 4, 1761, and died June 19, 
1801, aged 62 years. 

Samuel Fiske graduated at Harvard College in 1759 ; was an Episcopal 
clergyman in South Carolina, where he died in 1777. 

MiCAH Lawrence graduated at Harvard College in 1759 ; was ordained 
at Winchester, N. II., November 14, 1764, and died January, 1794, aged 
55 years. 

Ephraim Woolson graduated at Harvard College in 1760 ; was a 
physician at Hanover, N. II., and died January, 1802, aged 61 years. 

Joseph Brown graduated at Harvard College in 1763 ; was ordained 
at Winchendon, May 24, 1769, and died in 1810. 



MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 411 

Amos Windsiiip graduated at Harvard College as A. B. in 1771 ; A. I\r. 
in 1790; M. B. in 1790; M.I), in 1811, and was a corresponding meniljor 
of the London Medical Society. He died in 1811. 

Bknjamix Muzzy graduated at Harvard College in 1774. lie sailed 
from Boston, September, 1777, in the privateer Hero Revenge, during the 
Revolution, as a Chaplain, and was lost at sea the same year. 

Isaac Reed graduated at Harvard College in 1780; was a trader in 
Littleton, and died December 5, 1789, aged l\o years. 

Ebenezer Bowman graduated at Harvard College in 1782 ; was an 
Attorney at Law of considerable distinction at Wilkesbarre, Benn., and 
died in 1829. 

Joseph Estabrook graduated at Harvard College in 1782 ; was ordained 
at Athol, November 21, 1787, and died April 30, 1830, aged 81 years. 

Nathan Underwood graduated at Harvard College in 1788 ; was or- 
dained at Harwich, November 21, 1792, and died in 1841. 

Samuel Chandler graduated at Harvard College in 1790 ; was ordained 
at Eliot, N. H., October 27, 1792, and died in 1829. 

Joseph Dennie graduated at Harvard College in 1790. In 179G, he 
commenced a series of Articles in the Farmer's Museum, published in 
Walpole, N. H., entitled "Lay Sermons," which continued from time to 
time for several years. They were extensively copied, and were read 
with eagerness in all parts of the country. He also instituted and edited 
the "Bortfolio," a literary publication of high merit, at Philadelphia. He 
died Januaiy 7, 1812. He was a scholar of fine literary taste, and has 
been denominated the American Addison. 

Daniel Marrett graduated at Harvard College in 1790 ; was ordained 
at Standish, Me., September 21, 1796, and died in 1836. 

WiLLL.i.M Muzzy graduated at Harvard College in 1793 ; was ordained 
at Sullivan, N. H., February 7, 1798, and died at Lexington in 1835. 

Abiel Chandler graduated at Harvard College in 1798, and died 
February 11, 1799. 

David Phinehas Adams graduated at Harvard College in 1801, and 
died in 1823. 

Elias Phinney graduated at Harvard College in 1801. He was an 
Attorney at Law in Charlestown, and afterwards Clerk of the Courts of 
Middlesex County. He was greatly distinguished as an agriculturalist, 
and died in 1849. He was a son of Benjamin Phinney. 

Timothy Wellington graduated at Harvard College in 1806. He 
was a Physician of good professional reputation at West Cambridge. He 
died in 1853. 

John Fessenden graduated at Harvard College in 1818 ; resided at 
Deerfield, and was a tutor in College from 1825 to 1827. 

Oliver Daneorth graduated at Williams College in 1811; was for a 
time a teacher. 

Samuel Mulliken graduated at Harvard College in 1819. He was a 
Physician at Dorchester, and died in 1843. 

Jaaies Bridge was drowned at Cambridge while in the Senior Class. 



412 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

Artemas B. Muzzey graduated at Harvard College in 1824. He was 
settled as a clergyman in Framingham and Cambridge, Mass., Concord, 
N. H., and Nuwburyport, IMass. 

Maksiiall Tui'-ts graduated at Harvard College in 1827 ; became in- 
sane, and died May, 1855. He was son of Thomas Tufts. 

Curtis Cutler graduated at Harvard College in 1829 ; was ordained 
at Gardner, and afterwards installed at Peterboro', N. H. Being affected 
with a bronchial difficulty, he left the ministry and engaged in commercial 
business in Boston. 

Hiram Wellixgtox graduated at Harvard College in 1834; is a 
Lawyer in Boston. 

James Blodgett graduated at Harvard College in 1841 ; resided at 
Deerfield, and died at Lexington in 1845. 

Ambrose Wellington graduated at Harvard College in 1841. 

James Vila graduated at Harvard College in 1843, and died at Boston 
in 1850. 

Francis J. Gould graduated at Harvard College in 1850 ; is in Florida, 
engaged in the practice of medicine. He is a son of James Gould. 

Edward Wellington, was drowned in Cambridge, while in the Scien- 
tific Scliool, September 6, 1852. He was a son of Major Benjamin O. 
Wellington. 

Charles H. Hudson graduated S. B. from the Lawrence Scientific 
Department of Harvard College in 1854 ; is a Civil Engineer in Illinois. 

John AV. Hudson graduated at Harvard College in 1856. He entered 
the sei'vice of the United States in the late Rebellion, as Second Lieuten- 
ant, and was promoted successively to First Lieutenant, Captain, Major, 
and Lieutenant Colonel, He is a Lawyer in Boston. The two preceding 
are sons of Charles Hudson. 

George D. Robinson graduated at Harvard College in 1856. He is 
son of Charles Robinson ; has been engaged as a teacher ; is now a Lawyer 
in Chicopee. 

Edward G. Stetson. He graduated at Harvard College in 1863. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Situation and Extent— Soil and Productions — Topography — Health of the 
Place and Longevity of its Inhabitants — Name of the Town— Old and New 
Style— Public Buildings — Private Dwellings — Population — Valuations — 
Slaves and Slavery — Roads and Railroads — The Great Bridge — Manu- 
factures — Peat — Paint Mine — Names of the Town Streets. 

Lexington is a Post town in the County of Middlesex, 
situated in latitude 42° 26' 50" North, and in longitude 71° 
13' 55" West. It is about eleven miles -west-northwest from 
Boston, about six miles easterly from Concord, and about fifteen 
miles southeast by south from Lowell. It has Winchester, 
Woburn, and Burlington, on the northeast; Bedford, and Bur- 
lington, on the north; Lincoln, on the west; Waltham, on the 
southwest, and Arlington, on the southeast. The township, 
like most of those in the neighborhood, is somewhat irregular in 
its shape, and contains about 19 square miles, or 12,160 acres. 
It is generally more elevated than any adjoining town, unless 
it be Lincoln, and hence the water from Lexington mms in 
almost every direction. As it is the water-shed, the streams are 
small, and they find tlieir way to the ocean through the Shaw- 
shine, Mystic, and Charles Rivers. The water power in the 
town is inconsiderable, and what there is, is remote from the 
centre. There is at present but one mill in the town, that being 
in the easterly part, at the outlet of the Great Meadow, so called ; 
on or near the site of this mill, was erected the first mill in the 
township, probably as early as 1G50. It was then owned by 
Edward Winship, of Cambridge, and was given by his Will to 
his son Edward, and remained more than a century in the 
family. There is another and more valuable privilege on Vine 



414 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

Brook, near the boundary of Burlington, though it is at present 
unimproved. 

The township is generally uneven, furnishing a pleasant variety 
of hill and dale. Though the surface is frequently broken, the 
soil for the most part is productive. The rock formation, through 
a great part of the township, is a species of greenstone ; and 
thougli it often crops out of the ground, the rock is so irregular, 
and the sides so precipitous, that the soil is deep, and often 
capable of cultivation up to the very face of the ledge. The 
presence of this rock indicates a hard, but at the -same time a 
warm and productive soil, well adapted to grass and fruit trees. 

There are many good farms in the town, and their value is 
greatly enhanced by the peat swamps, which are found in almost 
every neighborhood. These swamps, when properly drained, 
constitute some of the most valuable land for cultivation, and at 
the same time serve to fertilize the rest of the farm. The material 
taken from the ditches is extensively used as a manure, and will 
of itself pay the labor of draining. Lexington, as a whole, may 
be considered a first class agricultural town, and has been some- 
what distinguished for its hay, fruits, and other agricultural 
productions ; but more particularly for its milk dairies, which 
send to market 350,000 gallons of milk annually. 

The village of Lexington is pleasantly situated on land com- 
paratively level ; and though it is elevated more than two hundred 
feet above tide Avater, being surrounded by hills more or less 
distant, and having meadows on either hand, it has the appear- 
ance of being rather low. It is eleven miles from Boston, five 
miles from Waltham, Woburn, and Bedford, and four miles 
from Burlington, and Lincoln. In the centre of the village is 
the Common, a triangular plot of ground, situated at the junc- 
tion, and lying between the roads leading to Concord and to 
Bedford. It contains about two acres, and is nearly level, with 
^ the exception of a gentle swell rising some five or six feet in a 
circular form, on the southerly side, on which is situated the 
]\Ionument, erected to the memory of the first revolutionary 
martyrs. The borders of the Common are skirted by rows of 
elm, ash, and other ornamental ti-ees ; some of which have 
braved the blasts of a hundred winters, while others are blushing 
into youthful beauty. This Green is consecrated by the first 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



415 



blood of the Eevolution ; and the sacred associations which 
cluster around the spot, render it a place of considerable resort ; 
and many a passer-by pauses to contemplate the scere which 
renders it classic. 

The village extends nearly a mile on the main road ; and, 
embracino; as it does the settlements on Hancock, Bedford, 
Muzzey, and Walthara streets, comprises about one hundred and 
twenty houses and shops, and contains nearly eight hundred 
inhabitants. 




THE LEXINGTON KAILWAV STATION. 



The terminus of the Lexington and Arlington Eailroad is 
near the centre of the village, and has a commodious station- 
house situated about sk rods from the street, so as not to 
impede or endanger the travel on the highway. The approach 
to the station is by a broad, circular driveway, leaving a 
crescent lawn of about one third of an acre between the depot 
and the street. Though the depot is not particularly elegant, it 
is a Heat and well proportioned building, and is so situated as to 
increase rather than impair the beauty of the place. 
53 



416 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

Passing on the road towards Boston, as you leave the centre 
village, the houses grow more sparse for about three fourths of 
a mile, when they become more frequent ; and you soon find 
yourself in the midst of another village more than half as popu- 
lous as the centre. Both villages are adorned with ornamental 
shade trees, which extend to every part ; and in several places 
on the main street, hugfe and venerable elms attract the notice of 
the traveler. The character of the soil is such, that both villages 
are, in a remarkable degree, free from those pests of many 
country villages — mud and dust. 

Though Lexington has no elevations which would justify the 
appellation of mountains, yet there are within her limits a great 
number of hills, which command extensive prospects, and 
present fine landscape views. These elevations are generally 
more or less abrupt, showing fragments of greenstone in their 
more precipitous sides, and having their summits crowned with 
the same kind of rock in a more smoothed and flattened form. 

In the centre of the town, within five or six rods of the 
Common from which it is separated by the street, rises 
'Belfry Hill,' so called, from the fact that a structure was 
formerly erected on this hill, in which the church bell was hung. 
This elevation, which is nearly hidden from the street by the 
houses and shade trees, is about forty feet above the Common, 
and standing in a bend of the road, presents a good view of the 
village, and of the roads approaching it on every side. On this 
elevation it is proposed to erect the contemplated Monument, 
commemorative of the opening scene of the American Revolu- 
tion. The summit of this hill presents a level surface of rock, 
which seems formed by nature for the base of such a structure ; 
and when one or two houses standing on the street are removed, 
and the whole ground opened to the Common, the beauty of the 
place would be greatly increased. Through the liberality of the 
heirs of the late William H. Cary, Esq., of Brooklyn, N. Y., 
this hill has been purchased, and is generously tendered to the 
Monument Association. If this Monument should be erected 
according to a design which has been adopted, as it would 
commemorate one of the greatest events in our history, so it 
would be one of the most attractive monuments in the country. 

Mekriam's Hill, situated about eighty rods northeasterly of 



MISCELLANEOUS. 417 

the village, is elevated seventy or eighty feet above Main street, 
and affords a good view of the central part of the town. The 
village from this eminence presents a fine appearance. The 
lofty elms and other ornamental trees, which skirt the streets and 
shade the dwellings, give to the village an aspect peculiarly 
rural ; and when the trees are in full foliage the prospect is one 
of great beauty, exhibiting in one vicAV neat, commodious, and 
even stately dwellings, embowered in shady groves, with fertile 
fields and wooded hills in the back (ground. 

Hancock Height. About one hundred and twenty rods 
northeasterly of Merriam's Hill, and forming a part of the same 
swell of land, rises abruptly one of the most conspicuous eleva- 
tions in the town. The altitude of this hill is greater than any 
other in the township, except the highest portions of the range 
between Monument and Lincoln streets ; and, rising from a 
lower level, and standing out isolated and alone, on the margin 
of the valley of Vine Brook, with an elevation of about one 
hundred and seventy-five feet above it, this hill has a grand and 
imposing appearance, and affords a magnificent prospect. Stand- 
ing on its summit, you have almost the whole northern and 
eastern part of the town in full view. At the base, and almost 
under your feet, is spread out the valley of Vine Brook, showing 
its broad meadows, here in a high state of cultivation, and there 
covered with a growth of oak and maple, while on the other side 
is the village in its leafy beauty. Beyond, you have the plains 
waving with grass or grain, hill-sides adorned with orchards, or 
crowned with forests, — the whole dotted over with farm houses 
and barns to show the presence of industry and thrift. Here, too, 
you behold the streamlets meandering through the meadows, the 
roads winding among the hills, together with the school houses 
and the churches, showing that the mind and the heart, no less 
than the face of the earth, are designed for cultivation and 
improvement. 

Nor is the prospect confined to the township. The villages of 
Burlington and Woburn, with the high grounds beyond, bound 
your prospect on the northeast. On the east you have the hills 
in Winchester, Mount Gilboa, and other high lands in Arlington 
in view ; and between these, a part of Somerville, the towering 
shaft on Bunker Hill, and a portion of the city of Boston may 



418 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

be seen, reflecting the rays of the rising or setting sun. To the 
southeast, the eye takes in the Blue Hills in Milton, the elevated 
lands in Newton, Prospect Hill in Waltham, and the high 
grounds in Weston. Towards the west and northwest the pros- 
pect is still more extensive. Passing over the village of Bedford, 
the high lands of Westford, Groton and the intermediate towns, 
the eye rests upon the lofty Wachusett in Princeton, the first land 
which meets the eye of the mariner as he approaches the coast. 
Farther to the north, you behold the Watatick in Ashby, and 
the hills in New Ipswich ; and still farther, in the State of New 
Hampshire, the grand Monadnock, with brow half seen, and 
half concealed in clouds, fixes and bounds the view. 

This hill is nearly devoid of wood, having only a few stinted 
pines and cedars upon it. But it has one feature which is some- 
what characteristic of a mountain, — a pond of lasting water 
upon its side, about twenty feet below its summit, containing 
from one to two acres. The whole of this hill has been"purchased 
by Francis B. Hayes, Esq., of Boston, who has constructed a 
road nearly to its summit, cleared out the pond, and greatly 
improved the ground around it, thereby rendering this eminence 
more accessible and attractive. This hill had acquired the insig- 
nificant name of Granny Hill, but the inhabitants in town 
meeting assembled, in November, 1867, gave it the more 
worthy name of "Hancock Height," in honor of their first 
permanent minister, and his grandson, Hon. John Hancock, of 
Revolutionary memory, whose association with, and regard for 
the town, are well known and recognized. 

Davis's Hill, situated about half a mile northwesterly from 
the Common, is a fine elevation of land, rising about one hundred 
and forty feet above the meadow which lies at its southeasterly 
base. This hill is less abrupt and broken than Hancock Height, 
having in many parts a tolerably good soil, which has been 
cultivated nearly to its summit. This elevation, like the others 
in the neighborhood, overlooks the village, and affords much the 
same prospect toward the north and west as the one last men- 
tioned. This range of high land continues to the southwest, and 
though it has several depressions, it rises, after passing the road 
to Concord, to an elevation greater than any land in the town. 
The highest parts are covered with a good growth of wood. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 4I9 

FiSKE Hill, situated on the road to Concord, about a mile 
and a third from the viUage, is elevated at least one hundred feet 
above the valley with which it is surrounded, and furnishes an 
extensive view to the north, west, and south. The old road 
over which the British passed in their expedition to Concord in 
1775, wound its way up the sides of this hill, and passed the 
ridge not far below its highest elevation. Near the summit of 
this hill, Colonel Smith attempted to rally his flying troops, and 
make a stand against his pursuers. But his efforts were fruitless. 
His troops were soon put to flight, and he was severely wounded. 

There are several hills of considerable elevation in the southerly 
part of the town, near the old Concord turnpike, which command 
views more or less extensive. One on the farm of Mr. Webster 
Smith, known as the Phinney Place, furnishes a prospect from 
northwest to southeast of seventy or eighty miles, from the Blue 
Hills in Milton to the mountains in New Hampshire. 

Lorixg's Hill, about half a mile southerly from the centre 
of the town, rises somewhat abruptly from tlae meadows which 
skirt Vine Brook, to the height of about one hundred and fifty 
feet. It is covered with wood ; and the underbrush having been 
removed, it affords a delightful ramble for those who seek the 
cooling shade, to meditate upon the beauties of nature. An 
Observatory has been erected on the hill, from which a fine view 
is presented in every direction. 

There is a range of high lands on the southerly side of the 
great road leading to Boston, commencing a little southeasterly 
of the Town Hall, which, though interrupted by several depres- 
sions, extends into Arlington. The swell above the old Munroe 
Tavern is considerably elevated, and overlooks the village and 
a large portion of the town. It was on the northern dccHvity 
of this hill, that Lord Percy placed one of his field pieces on 
the 19th of April, 1775 ; and from this spot threw his shot in 
every direction, where he could discover any of the Americans 
assembling, — one of which perforated the meeting house on 
the Common. The elevated portions of this range, southwest- 
erly of the Roman Catholic church, command a prospect of 
great extent and rare beauty. Not only the northeasterly portion 
of the town, but the village of Medford with its numerous 
dwellings and public buildings, are displayed to view. Nor 



420 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

rests the prospect here ; the city of Lynn, and the dark blue 
ocean beyond, whitened by the sails of the hardy fishermen and 
the enterprising merchants, give variety and grandem- to the 
scene. 

]\l0UNT IxDEPENDENCE, near the East Village, rises abruptly 
about one hundred and thirty feet above the main street. It is 
nearly opposite the church, and commands a full view of the 
village, and the high lands on the opposite side of the broad 
meadows which spread out on each side of Mill Brook. But 
while Main street, on which are situated the principal houses 
in the village, lies at the foot of this eminence, and the eye of 
the beholder on the summit can observe every movement in the 
village, a more distant prospect attracts the attention ; and in 
the openings among the hills in Arlington, the growing village 
of Medford rises in full view. The prospect from this hill is 
truly delightful, and the people in that part of the town have 
shown their good sense in giving it a name woi'thy of its character, 
and the town where it is situated. On the 4th of July, 1824, a 
piece of ordnance was presented by a citizen of the village, for 
the use of the inhabitants ; and the name of " Mount Indepen- 
dence " was given to this hill, under the folds of the Stars and 
Stripes, and amid the roar of cannon and the huzzas of the 
citizens. It was near the foot of this hill, that the British on the 
morning of the 19th of April, 1775, committed one of their 
first acts of aggression, by disarming one of the Lexington 
Militia, (Mr. Benjamin Wellington,) who was on his way to 
join his feUow townsmen in arms at the Common. 

Farther to the south, this elevated range rises still higher, 
with a more extended prospect, particularly to the south and 
east, enabling the eye to take in the villages of Newton, and the 
great extent of beautiful country intervening. At the lower 
end of the East Village, this range is considerably depressed, 
but soon rises again as it approaches the line of Arlington, 
giving a good view toward the north. 

There is one peculiarity common to almost every elevation in 
town. We have seen that the rock formation was greenstone, 
which generally cropped out upon the sides of these hills. The 
feature to which we now refer is, that on or near theu* summits 
are masses of greenstone quite unlike, in form and appearance, 



MISCELLANEOUS. 421 

what is found on their sides. ^^Hiile the latter are rough and 
angular, the rock upon the summit is more compact and smooth, 
having the upper surface flattened, as though it had been ground 
off by some immense power. This appearance of the rock is 
ascribed by geologists to the glaciers which, during what is 
denominated the " drift period," passed over this portion of the 
country, and by their enormous weight ground down the tops of 
these rocky elevations, carrying away the loose and broken frag- 
ments, and leaving the solid summits flattened and comparatively 
smooth. 

Such is the topography of Lexington, and it may with truth 
be said, that few towns within thirty miles of Boston contain so 
much to attract the attention, please the eye, and gratify the 
taste, so far as natural scenery is concerned. Though it ia 
within half an hour's ride of the city, it is as rural, as quiet, and 
apparently as- retired, as though it were fifty miles in the interior. 
Though the village is well settled, having more than a hundred 
dwelling houses within half a mile of the Common, five minutes' 
ride in almost any du'ection brings you into scenery entirely 
rural, and leads you to fancy yourself far in the country. Having 
no manufactures in the town, there is but little of that floatins: 
population found in many of our towns. The inhabitants being 
mostly farmers, or gentlemen doing business in Boston, we have 
less of tumult and commotion than most places in the vicinity — 
the only bustle being a few minutes in each day on the departure 
and arrival of the cars. 

Being an elevated township, the water is pure and the air 
salubrious ; and hence Lexington in all periods of her histoiy 
has been regarded as one of the most healthy places in the 
vicinity. This fact is so well known and acknowledged, that 
invalids from the city frequently resort here for the improvement 
of their health. The topography of the country, the rural 
scenery, the orderly quiet of the place, and the purity of the 
atmosphere, render Lexington a desirable place of residence. 

The sanitaiy character of the town may be seen in the longevity 
of its inhabitants. In 1776, among the recorded deaths were 
one person aged 88 years, one aged 84, three aged 83, and two 
ao-ed 79. Between 1779 and 1790 inclusive, there were one 
aged 96, one aged 95, one aged 93, two aged 92, three aged 90, 



422 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

one aged 88, and four aged 85. Nor was this longevity confined 
to the last century. In 1819, there were among the recorded 
deaths, one person aged 99, one aged 94^, and two aged 94; 
and in 1822, two aged 92. In the Church Records of 1835 is 
the followino- entry : " Deaths during the preceding fifteen years, 
three hundred and twenty-one. Over 80 years of age, forty ; 
over 90, ten; 95, one; 99, one. 

In 1854, there died in Lexington persons of the following 
ages : one of 80, one of 87, one of 90, one of 92, and one of 95 ; 
in 1855, one of 86, one of 88 ; in 1856, one of 93, one of 81, 
one of 80 ; in 1858, one of 82, one of 83, one of 88, and one 
of 91 ; in 1860, one of 82, one of 83, and one of 88 ; in 1861, 
two of 80, one of 81, one of 86, and one of 92 ; in 1862, one 
of 85, and two of 86 ; in 1863, one of 83, and one of 87 ; in 
1864, one of 83, and one of 87 ; in 1865, one of 80, one of 82, 
and two of 84; in 1866, two of 80, one of 91, and one of 93. 
One other case deserves mention. Mary Sanderson, great- 
grand-daughter of Wiliiam Munroe, the original emigrant, died 
October 15, 1852, aged 104 years and 5 days. By the State 
Census just published, it appears that Lexington, in 1865, with 
a population of 2,220, had the following number of persons of 
the ages there specified : Between the ages of sixty and seventy, 
127 ; between seventy and eighty, 83 ; between eighty and 
ninety, 32 ; between ninety and one hundred, 3. 

We have already seen, that Lexington was incorporated, March 
20, 1712, Old Style, which, by our present mode of reckoning, 
would be March 31, 1713.^ It took its name from Robert 

' It may be interesting to some to state the occasion for the change from Old 
to New Style. The Julian Year consisted of three hundred and sixty- five days 
and six hours — making the year too long by about eleven minutes. In 1682, 
Pope Gregory XIII attempted to reform the Calendar. From the time of the 
Council of Nice to the time of Gregory, this excess of eleven minutes amounted 
to ten days. In order to obviate this error, it was ordained that the year 1582 
should consist of only three hundred and sixty-five days, and that ten days, 
between the 4th and 14th of October, should be thrown out of the Calendar for 
that year ; and also to prevent any further irregularity, that no year commenc- 
ing a century should be leap-year, excepting each four hundredth year ; whereby 
three days are abated every four hundred years, that being nearly equal to 
eleven minutes for every year during that period, leaving an error of only one 
day in five thousand two hundred years. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 423 

Sutton, -who bove the title of Lord Lexingtox. The family of 
Lexington, of which Sir Robert was, in the female line, the 
representative, was of considerable antiquity and note in En"-- 
land. Robert Sutton, Baron de Lexington, lived in the time of 
Henry III. and died June 4, 1250, without issue. John de 
Lexington, a younger brother of Robert, was four times 
appointed Keeper of the Seal by the King. Another brother, 
Henry de Lexington, was Bishop of Lincoln in 1254. AVith 
this generation the line of Lexington became extinct. But a 
sister, Alice, married Roland de Sutton, from whom descended 
Robert, Lord Lexington. His father was made Baron of Lex- 
ington by Charles I. and died 1688. Robert was his only son, 
and sustained several important offices, the duties of which he 
discharged with ability and honor. In 1698, he was appointed 
Envoy Extraordinary to the Imperial Court of Vienna, where 
he remained till the peace of Ryswick, when he returned to 
England, and was appointed one of the Lords of the Bedcham- 
ber. He was, in 1712, selected to conduct the negotiations with 
Spain. He died in 1723. 

When the Precinct of North Cambridge was incorporated as a 
town in 1713, Lord Lexington was in the very height of his 
popularity, and his name was familiar among all who stood near 
the throne. A custom is said to have prevailed in Massachusetts 
in those days, when a town was incorporated, to pass the Order 
or Act, and send it to the Governor with a blank for the name 

The Calendar before the days of Gregory was called the Julian, after Julius 
Csesar, who regulated it, and has since the change been commonly denominated 
Old Style, and the Calendar of Gregory has been denominated New Style. 
Though the New Style was at once adopted in Romish countries, such was the 
prejudice of Great Britain to the Romanists, that it was not adopted by her or 
in her Colonies till 1752. Previous to that year, two methods of beginning the 
year prevailed in England ; the ecclesiastical and legal year beginning on the 
2oth of March, and the historical ye&r on the 1st of January, The change of Style 
adopted by England in 1752, fixed the 1st of January as the commencement of 
the year, and abolished the distinction between the legal and historical year. 

This difference in the commencement of the respective years, led to a system 
of double dating from the 1st of January to the 25th of March — thus : January 
10, 1724-5 or 172*, the 4 denoting the ecclesiastical, and the 5 the historical 
year. From 1582 to 1699 the difference in the Styles was ten days; from 1700 
to 1800, eleven days; and since 1800, twelve days. In changing Old to New 
Style, care should be taken not to confound the centuries. jSIany mistakes 
have arisen from not regarding the century in which the event occurred. 
54 



424 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

to be filled by him. Joseph Dudley was at that time Governor 
of the Province, and the fame of Lord Lexington would naturally 
suo-o-est his name to any Chief Magistrate as a suitable one for 
the town. But there is another reason why Governor Dudley 
should wish to do honor to the popular English negotiator, viz. 
they were distant relatives ; the Dudleys being of the Sutton 
family, and taking the surname of Dudley from the Barony of 
that name. So that the name of Lexington given to this town, 
would, if given by the Legislature, be a compliment to the 
Governor, and if given by the Governor himself, would be a 
compliment to his friend and relative. 

But little thought they when they were honoring a British 
Lord, by giving his name to this township, that Lexington was 
to become a watchword for freemen throughout British America. 
It has been stated elsewhere that the deeds of the 19th of April 
so warmed the hearts of the hardy hunters in the wilds of Ken- 
tucky, that they baptized their camp by the name of Lexington. 
The veneration for this town, and for the associations which 
cluster around it, has been such, that the authorities of remote 
States have recurred to the opening scene of the Revolution, and 
have given to a portion of their territory the name of our own 
beloved town. Hence, we have twenty-two counties, cities, and 
towns by the name of Lexington, scattered over every section of 
our wide, extended country, including the Pacific States — a fact 
of which the inhabitants of old Lexington have just reason to be 
proud. 

The Public Buildings are not remarkable for their size or 
beauty. The number of churches in the town is five, — three 
in the Centre, and two in the East Village. The church of 
the First parish, situated on Elm Avenue, which separates it 
from the Common, is a neat edifice, sixty-eight feet long by fifty- 
four feet wide, with a vestibule twenty-two by twenty-eight feet. 
The steeple is about one hundred and thirty feet high, and 
its architectural proportions have generally been admired by 
critics in such matters. The view on the opposite page, taken 
from the Common, with the dwelling. of Mr. Bowen Harrington 
on the right, and that of Mr. S. W. Robinson on the left, with 
the trees and monument in front, shows the church and its 
surroundings to good advantage. 



mSCELLANEOUS. 



425 



The Follen Church, as it is frequently called, from Dr. Follen, 
who furnished the design, situated in the East Vilhige, is a 
singular structure. It is an octagon in form, and had a steeple 
of lattice-work, presenting an appearance rather peculiar, but 
not unpleasant to the eye. This house has recently been 
remodelled, and the lattice steeple superseded. The three 
remaining churches are rather small, though respectable in their 
appearance. The School Houses in the town are all compara- 
tively new, having been erected within the last eighteen years, 
and contain the improvements of modern houses. The house 
recently erected in the East Village is a good specimen of 
architecture. 

The Town Hall, situated partly between the two villages, for 
the purpose of accommodating both, but in fact accommodating 
neither, is a structure of rather fantastic appearance, havino- 
some elements of architectural beauty, but is on the whole poorly 
adapted to the purpose for which it Avas erected. It has one 
large and commodious Hall, but the rest of the building is so 
constructed as to be of but little use. The site is a pleasant 
one, and the cost of the building was enough to have insured 
better accommodations than it now affords. 

The dwelling houses in the town are generally good, and are 
for the most part kept well painted, and in a good state of repair. 
The largest and most attractive house was that owned by Dr. 
Dio Lewis, situated on jVIain street, in the centre of the town. 
It was erected for a Hotel, and for a number of years was well 
filled with boarders. It was a three story building, having two 
extensive wings, and was surmounted by a cupola. In 1864, it 
was purchased by Dr. Lewis, and fitted up for a school for young 
ladies. The buildings and grounds were greatly improved, and 
everything was done by the owner to make the place attractive. 
But on the 7th of September, 1867, it was burned down, to the 
great regret of the inhabitants. 

There are several private residences in the village which would 
naturally attract the attention of a stranger, as they add mate- 
rially to the appearance of the place. The house owned and 
occupied by Mr. David W. JNIuzzey, some twenty rods easterly 
of Dr. Lewis's establishment, surrounded as it is by an extensive 
and beautiful lawn, makes a fine appearance. 



426 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



As you approach the Common from the southeast, on your 
right, three or four rods from the street, a large and commanding 
dvvelHng house, whose general appearance and style of archi- 
tecture betoken age, meets your eye. It is the old Buckman 
Tavern of the Eevolution. Here many of Captain Parker's men 
congregated on the evening of the 18th of April, 1775 ; and 
here several of the wounded British soldiers were conveyed on 
the afternoon of the 19th. To this house a few soldiers fled 
when driven from the Common, and here they returned the 
British fire, a recognition of which by the foe is attested by the 
perforated clapboards still visible on the house. 




TUE MliUKIAM HOUSE. 



This place was long occupied as a tavern, and here was located 
the first Post Office in the town. The place is now owned and 
occupied by the heirs of Eufus Merriam, and though the house 
has stood for a long period, it is in a good state of preservation, 
and makes an imposing appearance. 

Passing up Hancock Street, the residence of the late General 
Samuel Chandler would at once attract the attention of a stranger. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 427 

It is a hrg^c commodious house with a tower about fifty feet 
higli, situated eight or ten rods from the street, on elevated 
ground, and commands a fine prospect. It is one of the hand- 
somest sites in the village. Its approach from the street is by a 
circular driveway, bordered by a hedge of arbor-vitae, which 
partially hides the building as you enter from the street, and so 
produces a pleasant effect as you approach the house. 

The cottage of Mr. James Sumner, nearly opposite the Chan- 
dler Place, though irregular, and a little fantastic in its appear- 
ance, is a neat and attractive dwelling, displaying fine taste, and 
is calculated to ai'rest the attention of a passer-by. 

A few rods from General Chandler's, on the same side of the 
street, is situated the largest and most attractive dwelling house 
in the town. It was owned, and the grounds beautified and 
adorned by Charles O. Whitmore, Esq., of Boston, who occu- 
pied the place as a summer residence for several years. He sold 
it to Edward Lawrence, Esq., of Charlestown, who now makes 
it his summer residence. He has made further improvements 
upon the place. The grounds are handsomely laid out in drive- 
ways and paths, and ornamented with groves of forest trees. In 
the rear of the house are a fine garden with fruit trees and 
flowers, a convenient stable and carriage house, with grass 
plats and a water pool, and whatever is pleasing to the sight 
and gratifying to the taste. There is also an elevation covered 
by a growth of pines, which aiFords a pleasant rural retreat. 

On the opposite side of the street, a few rods above the house 
of Mr. Lawrence, is the residence of the late John Muzzey, 
now owned and occupied by Mr. Charles A. Fowle. It is 
situated on a point of land nearly level Avith the street, extending 
a few rods into the more depi*essed ground, and connected in 
the rear with a narrow ridge of land which our friends at the 
West would call an "oak opening," which makes a pleasant 
summer arbor. The house is tastefully constructed, and the 
grounds, though somewhat circumscribed, are handsomely laid 
out ; and the venerable and stately elms standing by the roadside, 
give the whole a fine appearance. 

Nearly opposite the last mentioned estate, we have the summer 
residence of Francis B. Hayes, Esq., of Boston. It is situated 
a few rods from the street, on elevated ground, and enjoys an 



428 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

extensive prospect. Not only the northern part of the town, 
but the distant Wachusett, the grand Monadnock, and a long range 
of the hills of New Hampshire, are in full view. A site thus 
elevated secures " the cooling western breeze," and so recommends 
the place to those who wish to inhale the air of the mountains. 
The grounds are laid out in good taste, and fine hedges around 
the yards give to the premises a rural charm not often surpassed. 
The house is finished in modern style, with a French roof and 
cupola ; and when the trees which have been planted upon the 
premises are grown, the place will be one of beauty and attrac- 
tion. Mr. Hayes has an extensive farm, of some three hundred 
acres ; that poition of it which lies near the dwelling, is highly 
cultivated and planted with fruit trees. 

About a third of a mile from the Common, on the Bedford 
road, is a neat dwelling, situated six or eight rods from the 
highway, with pleasant ground on every side ; and, as it over- 
looks the broad cultivated meadow between Bedford and Hancock 
Streets, it furnishes a wide survey of thrifty agriculture, and at 
the same time aifords a handsome seat of quiet retirement, though 
within a few minutes' walk of the village. The place is owned 
and occupied by Mr. George H. Everson. 

The prospect of most of the houses near the village has been 
greatly improVed within the last thirty years, by the clearing up 
of the swamps which skirted it on either side. Formerly a wide 
belt of birch and maple partially inclosed the settlement — adding 
nothing to its appearance, save when the variegated leaves of 
autumn gave a temporary charm. But now these same meadows, 
with their rude tangled wild-wood, have given place to cultivated 
fields and grassy lawns, which spread out like a miniature prairie, 
to regale the sense and reward the labor of the husbandman. 

The dwellings above described, with several other neat and 
pleasant houses upon Hancock street, render it what may be 
denominated the " Court End " of the village. 

But we cannot dismiss this neighborhood, without calling atten- 
tion to a dwelling somewhat antiquated in appearance, reminding 
us of other days, and awakening at once pious and patriotic 
emotions, and inspiring us with grateful recollections of those who 
have labored to promote the glory of God and the welfare of their 
country — a dwelling about which cluster more sacred memories 



MISCELLANEOUS. 429 

than around any other in the town. We allude, of course, to 
the old Hancock or Clarke House. A part of this house was 
erected by Rev. John Hancock immediately after his settlement 
in 1698, and some thirty-five years after, his son Moses, a 
successful merchant in Boston, caused a front of a larger size to 
be erected for his honored father, the first permanent minister 
of Lexington. This house is still standing, showing the original 
building and the addition, as seen in the accompanying engraving. 
Here the venerable Hancock resided till his death, in 1755. 
Here his grandson, John Hancock, who was afterwards Presi- 
dent of the Continental Congress, and Governor of the Common- 
wealth, and who was a son of Rev. John Hancock of Braintree, 
spent several years of his boyhood after the death of his father. 
On the decease of Rev. Mr. Hancock the elder, the Rev. Jonas 
Clarke succeeded him in the parish, and in the occupancy of this 
house. Mr. Clarke, being in College with John Hancock the 
third, early contracted an acquaintance with him, and marrying 
a grand-daughter of Rev. Mr. Hancock the elder, and of course 
cousin to his college acquaintance, an intimacy grew up between 
Mr. Clarke and Mr. Hancock. Nothing is more natural, than 
that John Hancock should frequently visit the home of his 
boyhood, and his old acquaintance, and now cousin, in the 
very house where he had received the instruction of his grand- 
father, and around which his youthful aftections clustered. And 
as the controversy with the mother country opened, and Mr. 
Clarke took a deep and lively interest in the subject, Mr. 
Hancock found a new bond of attachment; hence the great 
intimacy between these two friends and patriots. 

It Avas in this now venerable and antiquated dwelling, that the 
Rev. Mr. Clarke prepared those pious sermons, and those patriotic 
papers, which taught his people their duty to their God, to them- 
selves, and to their country. It was in this house that Samuel 
Adams, John Hancock, and Dr. ^^jm-en often conferred together 
on grave matters of State. It was here that Adams and Hancock 
repaired to escape the contemplated arrest of Governor Gage. 
It was here that these two patriots lodged on the night of the 
18th of April, 1775, when the first intelligence of the march of 
the British reached Lexington ; and it was from this house that 
they departed when the British troops arrived. Here, too, the 



430 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

pious priest and patriot spent his days, and expired after a long 
life of usefulness. Well then, may the people of Lexington, 
and of places remote, cherish a fond and reverential regard for 
this sacred place, endeared to them by so -many associations. 

In the western part of the village, there are several houses of 
a neat and comfortable appearance ; and among these the pleasant 
cottao-e of Mr. George W. Robinson, and the dwelling of Mr. 
John C. Blasdell desei've special mention. The former is situated 
forty or fifty rods from Monument Street, on land a little elevated, 
in the midst of a productive farm, with an extensive lawn of 
reclaimed meadow in front, having a private road connecting it 
with the street at two points. The latter is a handsome mansion, 
standin"- some forty rods from the road, with which it is connected 
by a winding driveway. The grounds, which are separated from 
the street by a fine hedge of double spruce, are tastefully laid out 
and ornamented with trees and shrubbery. In the rear of the 
house the ground rises to a, plat of table land, covered with an 
open grove of forest trees, in the midst of which is a pool of 
never failing water. Mr. Blasdell has also upon his premises an 
extensive conservatory, where grapes, shrubs, and flowers are 
cultivated. These houses and their surroundings furnish a 
delightful landscape view. With a belt of level and highly 
cultivated meadow in the foreground, the beautiful hill-side 
adorned with forest and fruit trees and presenting the houses 
and grounds above mentioned, the w^hole resting against a large 
circular swell of woodland as a back-ground, — the painter would 
have an excellent view for the exercise of his art. 

About a mile westerly from the Common, at the junction of 
Monument and School Streets, is the late residence of Mr. 
Joshua B. Fowle. The house and out-buildings are capacious, 
and of modern style ; and standing upon an elevated site, with 
a fine lawn around and an extensive prospect in the distance — 
the place may justly be regarded as a desirable one for any 
gentleman's residence. 

The house of Mr. A. W. Crowningshield, at the junction of 
School and Lincoln Streets, is a fine building, two stories high, 
with a cupola, from which you overlook his well cultivated fiirm. 

The summer residence of Mrs. William Gary, of Brooklyn, 
N. Y., situated on Shade Street, is one of the most rural and 



MISCELLA-NEOUS. 431 

commanding of any in the town. The house, being a refit of 
the old mansion, is not remarkable for its size, but is fitted up 
in good taste, and looks out on every side upon the ricli and 
productive farm. Though the land is comparatively level, the 
house is situated nearly on the summit of a high swell of land 
which commands an extensive prospect to the west. This 
valuable and highly improved farm was generously tendered 
by Mrs. Gary to the State, for a site of the Agricultural 
College. 

Near the junction of Spring Street and Concord Avenue is 
the residence of Mr. Webster Smith. The house was built by 
the late Elias Phinney, Esq., and is a handsome mansion. 
Situated some eight or ten rods from the street, with a fine lawn 
in front, and rich grass laud spreading out in the rear, this 
situation combines neatness and good taste, with the appearance 
of agricultural retirement and thrift. 

The old homestead of Peter Wellington and his late brother, 
Major B. O. Wellington, on Concord Avenue, shaded by an 
open grove of ornamental trees, would impress the traveler with 
the very idea of rural enjoyment. 

There are several houses in the East Village which add to 
the appearance of the place. The house owned by Mamrice 
O'Connell, Esq., overlooking a great part of the village, the 
dwellings of Mr. O. H. Dana, and of Mr. Charles Brown, and 
the mansion house near the church, would naturally attract the 
notice of any one coming into the place. 

The farm house of Mr. Nathaniel Pierce, with its spacious 
yard, and the house lately occupied by Judge Redfield, standing 
on elevated ground, would not escape the notice of a stranger. 

The residence of Mr. Charles Nunn, situated near the junc- 
tion, on the rising land between Main and Middle Streets, is 
worthy of special notice. The elegance andgood taste* displayed 
in the buildings and grounds, the natural beauty of the site, and 
the fine prospect it commands, render it one of the most desirable 
Bituations in the place. 

The house of Mr. William A. Tower, midway between the 

two villages, is a stately building. Situated on the high land 

south of Main Street, it makes a fine appearance, and its cupola 

commands a prospect of great extent, variety, and beauty. 

55 



432 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

Though considerably elevated above the road, the house is 
approached by a circular driveway of easy ascent. The land 
about the buildings is comparatively level, having however a 
gentle depression, affording a fine pool of lasting water near the 
mansion. A view of the premises, taken on the high grounds 
near the edifice, aifords a scene of the most pleasing combination 
of nature and art ; showing at once elegant buildings, native and 
artificial forests, and a beautiful pool of water. This dwelling, 
with all its surroundings, has no superior in the township ; and 
any admirer of natural scenery would find his taste fully gratified 
by such a location. 

The house near the Town Hall, owned and occupied by Mr. 
"VV. E. Russell, is a commodious and desirable one, and its 
location is among the best in the village. 

There is another dwelling, which, from its retired position and 
rather romantic history, deserves notice. It is situated on the 
western declivity of Loring's Hill, and is hidden from view 
except on the west, where it looks out upon a pleasant prospect, 
both immediate and remote. Its secluded situation, and the 
range of open wood with which it is nearly surrounded, make 
it a desirable place to retire from public view, and commune 
with nature in shady groves. The house was built by a stranger 
in town by the name of Lord, who, after the whole was finished 
according to his taste, visited New York, and for certain obliquity 
of conduct, found a steady home in the penitentiary instead of 
his secluded house in Lexington. The premises have changed 
hands frequently, and the place is now owned and occupied by 
Mr. Henry Fowle, of Boston, as a summer residence. 

The house of Mr. George Munroe, the dwelling of the late 
Reuben Reed, and the house on the Marshall Locke place, on 
Lowell Street, furnish examples of fine residences upon productive 
farms — slrowing that the calling of the agriculturalist is not 
repugnant to elegance and good taste. 

These are among the largest and most striking dwellings in 
town. But the boast of Lexington is not that she abounds 
in princely mansions, but that the mass of her houses are neat 
and in good repair ; and in this respect she will compare favorably 
with any of her sister towns. Most of our farmers and mechanics 
have comfortable houses in a good condition, giving evidence of 




''ffiffiiii'ii 



I'll ir .'\'i 






H ■':iii[iiiii' !i\i\ 



'iiiiilliliiiliyiiliMiUliliijllllliy^^^ 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



433 



comfort, taste, and thrift. And though some of these show a 
somewhat ancient origin, they at the same time bear witness that 
they have been fondly cherished and carefully preserved, so as to 
afford to the third and fourth generations a rural and pleasant 
home. In fact, the venerable old houses which are found on some 
of our farms are calculated to excite a lively interest, and carry 
us back to scenes of rural simplicity, when the wants of the 
people were few and easily supplied ; when nature had its full 
play, and the enjoyments of life were real, and unadulterated 
with the false ^losses of art. 




RESIDENCE OF MR. CHARLES TIDD. 



The dwelling of Mr. Charles Tidd is one of this description. 
Erected by his great-grand-father, it has stood at least one 
hundred and seventy-five years ; and while its architecture forms 
a connecting link between the past and the present, and the 
venerable elm speaks of other days, the present good condition 
of the dwelling, and the fiirm with which it is surrounded, shows 
a just appreciation of ancestral labor and filial care, and that rural 



434 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



comfort may be enjoyed in houses which have come down from 
past generations. 

In contrast with the above dwelling, is the elegant cottage of 
Mr. Luke C. Childs, near the East Village. Situated on a rise 
of ground, about one hundred and twenty rods from Main Street, 
with orchards and highly cultivated lands in front, and Mount 
Ephraim in the back ground, it makes a fine appearance, and 
shows that agriculture and taste may easily combine. To the 
lovers of rural scenery there is a charm in locations like this. Nor 
are the advantages merely imaginary. There is an exemption 
from the noise and bustle of business, and from the dust of the 
street ; and every fanner knows the advantages of having liis 
buildings near the centre of his improved land. 




EESIDENCE OF ME. LUKE C. CHILDS. 



As a specimen of the common village dwellings, the houses of 
Mr. Warren Duren, and Mr. Charles Hudson are given below; 
and while they lay no claim to any special elegance, they serve 
as convenient and comfortable homes. The foi-raer is situated at 
the junction of Hancock and Adams Streets, and marks the 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



435 



boundary of the village proper in that direction. The house 
stands on grounds elevated above the street, and hence shows to 
good advantage. It has the refreshing air from the distant high 
lands which separate the waters which flow into the Connecticut 
on the one hand, and the Merrimack on the other ; and enjoys 
the pleasing ^ospect of the setting sun gilding the summits of 
the mountain peaks. 




KESIDEXCE OF MR. WARREN DUREN. 



Situations like the above, representing the middle classes in 
society, are the best exponents of the prosperity of a town. As 
the real wealth of a nation consists in the productiveness of its 
labor, so the prosperity of a town depends more upon the working 
classes, than upon retii-ed capitalists. It is not upon millionaires 
that any place can safely rest for its prosperity and growth. 
However liberal such capitalists may be, their benefactions 
amount to a mere trifle, when compared with the annual produc- 
tion of the laboring, business portions of the community. The 
more equally property is distributed, or which is nearly the same 



436 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



thing, the more uniformly industry and fragality are practiced 
by its inhabitants, the greater will be the prosperity of any place. 
Not, however, that wealth is to be despised, or that none are to 
be reoarded as laborers but those who work with their own 
hands. Every man is a laborer who pursues any lawful calling 
wliich contributes to the prosperity of society. / 




y»i«nsifzz j^ ■ ^:= 



RESIDENCE OF MR. CHARLES HUDSON. 



Lexington, in the commercial sense of the term, has no rich 
men among her citizens ; on the contrary, wealth is more equally 
distributed in this town than in most others in the vicinity. And 
as the dwellings are, as a general thing, an index to the condi- 
tion of the people, we might naturally expect to find most of 
the houses of a medium class, representing the farmers, the 
mechanics, and the business men of the place. 

The house of Mr. Hudson has no special attractions, save 
that of location. Situated opposite the Common, it looks out 
upon that consecrated spot, and enjoys a full view of the churches, 
the Monument, and their surroundings. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



437 



It will be interesting to witness the growth of the town throuo-h 
every period of its history from the first settlement to the present 
day. It will be seen by the following tables, that its proo-ress 
has not been rapid. In 1754, a portion of the territory and popu- 
lation was taken from Lexington to form the town of Lincoln. 
The French and Revolutionary wars which followed, kept the 
population nearly stationary for thirty or forty years. 

As Lexington was a part of Cambridge till 1713, we have no 
records of her population till after that period. Nor have we 
any authentic census till 1790. But from a careful analysis of 
all the documents which bear upon the subject, and a full consid- 
eration of scattering tax bills, number of polls, the effects of 
Philip's, the French, and the Revolutionary wars, the known 
emigration and immigration from and to the township, the 
change of the town lines, and the general laws of population, 
we can safely estimate the population of Lexington for each 
decennial period ; and though the numbers may not be perfectly 
accurate, they are a close approximation, sufficiently near for all 
practical purposes. 

The following table will show the population at the commence- 
ment of each decade : 



Tear. 
1650, 
1660, 

1670, 
1683, 
1690, 



Population. 


Year. 


Population. 


30 


1700, 


. 350 


60 


1710, 


. 453 


90 


1720, 


568 


. 160 


1730, 


. 681 


. ■ . 256 


1740, 


. . 724 



Year. 

1750, 
1760, 
1770, 
1780. 



Population. 

. 761 

. 760 

755 

750 



The above is unofficial. 



1790. 



White males under 16 yrs. 

" 16 yrs. and upwards. 

Total males, . 



White males under 10 yrs. 

«« 10 yrs. and under 16, 

« 16 " " 26, 

<< 26 " " 45, 

" 45 " and upwards, 



Total males, 



212 
251 

463 



White females, (of all ages,) 
" All other free persons," 



Aggregate, 



1800. 



148 
91 
90 
95 
81 

506 



. 470 
8 

. 941 



White females under 10 yrs. . 

<' 10 yrs. and under 16, 

«' 16 " " 26, 

<« 26 " " 45, 

•< 45 " and upwards. 



Total females, 



" All other free persons, except Indians, not taxed,'-' 
Aggregate, . . . . • . • • • • ■ • • 



6 

1.006 



129 
78 
96 
98 
93 

494 



438 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1810. 



White males under 10 yrs. 

" 10 yrs. and under 16, 

16 " " 26, 

« 26 " " 45, 

" 45 " and upwards. 

Total males. 



123 
82 
105 
103 
102 

615 



White females under 10 yrs. . 

" 10 yrs. and under 16, 



" 16 

" 26 

45 

Total females, 



"All other free persons except Indians, not taxed," 
Aggregate, 



" 26, 

" 45, 

and upwards, 

. 10 
1,052 



White males under 10 yrs. 

" 10 yrs. and under 16, 

16 " " 26, 

" 26 " " 45, 

" 45 " and upwards, 

Total males. 



1820. 
141 White females under 10 yrs. 



81 
119 
140 
111 

592 



10 yrs. and under 16, 
16 «' " 26, 

26 «' " 45, 

45 " and upwards. 



Total females, 



130 
68 

119 
95 

115 

527 



153 
77 
105 
139 
130 

604 



Free colored, under 14 yrs. 1 male and 1 female ; 45 yrs. and upwards, 2 females. 
Aggregate, 1,200 

1830. 

White males under 5 yrs. 

" 5 yrs. and under 10, 

•« 10 " 

" 15 " •' 

., 20 " " 

„ 3Q « «. 

« 40 «« «« 

« 50 " " 

« 60 " " 

« 70 " " 

« 80 " " 



. 


. 105 


White females under 5 yrs. 


. 


92 


10, 


. 106 




5 yrs. 


and under 10, 


91 


15, 


. 80 




10 






15, 


81 


20, 


. 76 




15 






20, 


93 


30, 


. 141 




20 






30, 


122 


40, 


. 117 




30 






40, 


99 


50, 


. 57 




40 






50, 


74 


60, 


. 38 




50 






60, 


42 


70, 


. 30 




60 






70, 


40 


80, 


. 22 




70 






80, 


19 


90, 


5 




80 






90, 


10 


. 


. 763 


Total females 


, 


• 


, 


777 



Total males, 

Free colored, 10 years and under 24, 2 males and one female. 
Aggregate, 



1,543 



1840. 



White males under 


5 yrs. 


85 


<< 


6 yrs. 


and under 10, 


94 


" 


10 




15, 


88 


" 


15 




20, 


83 


(( 


20 




30, 


169 


" 


30 




40, 


105 


« 


40 




60, 


78 


<i 


60 




" 60, 


70 


<t 


60 




70, 


27 


<c 


70 




80, 


18 


« 


80 




'' 90, 


6 


« 


90 




100, 


1 



Total males. 
Aggregate, . 



824 



White 'females under 5 yrs. 

" 5 yrs. and under 10, 





10 




16 




20 




30 




40 




60 




60 




70 




80 




90 


Total females. 



. 


82 


rlO, 


92 


15, 


73 


20, 


104 


30, 


143 


40, 


99 


50, 


87 


60, 


64 


70, 


42 


80, 


24 


90, 


6 


100, 


2 


. 


818 


1,642 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



439 











1850. 










"White males under 1 


year. 




. 17 


White females under 


year, . 




23 


" 


1 year 


and unc 


er5. 


. 75 




' 1 year and under 6, 


67 


" 


5 yrs. 




10, 


. 90 




' 5 yrs. 


" 


10, 


96 


<< 


10 " 




15, 


. 9G 




10 " 


" 


15, 


79 


It 


15 " 




20, 


. 67 




15 " 


«< 


20, 


90 


<< 


20 " 




30, 


. 191 




20 " 


4t 


30, 


195 


" 


30 '« 




40, 


. 123 




30 " 


" 


40, 


130 


(< 


40 " 




50, 


. 113 




40 " 


<• 


60, 


103 


ti 


60 " 




60, 


. 67 




50 " 


« 


60, 


87 


i< 


60 «' 




70, 


. 55 




60 " 


(1 


70, 


67 


" 


70 " 




80, 


. 26 




70 " 


" 


80, 


19 


<< 


80 " 




90, 


6 




80 '« 


" 


90, 


12 


(I 


90 " 




100, 


2 




90 " 


'< 


100, 


1 


i< 


100 and upwards, 








' 100 " 


and upwards, 


1 


Total n 


ales, .. 






928 


Total females, 






960 


Free colored, 1 male and 4 femal 


38. 








Affgregate 


, . 


• 







• 


1,893 










1860. 








White males under 1 


year, 




. 19 


White females under ] 


year, . 




18 


" 


1 year 


and under 5, 


. 105 




' 1 year 


and under 5, 


112 


" 


6 yrs. 




10, 


. 132 




' 5 yrs. 


«< 


10, 


101 


(< 


10 " 




15, 


. 98 




10 " 


<( 


15, 


103 


" 


15 " 




20, 


. 98 




15 " 


■( 


20, 


113 


>i 


20 " 




30, 


. 206 




20 " 


«' 


30, 


223 


<c 


30 " 




40, 


. 179 




30 " 


" 


40. 


174 


" 


40 " 




50, 


. 122 




40 " 


(( 


50, 


109 


<t 


50 " 




60, 


. 98 




50 " 


" 


60, 


85 


<( 


60 " 




70, 


. 63 




60 " 


" 


70, 


76 


<( 


70 '« 




80, 


. 32 




70 " 


" 


80, 


38 


« 


80 " 




90, 


9 




80 " 


'< 


90, 


14 


« 


90 " 




100, 


1 










Total males, . 


. 




1,162 


Total females. 






1,166 


Free colored, 1 male. 












Aggregate 


. • 








• 


. 




2,329 



The valuation of the town is more uncertain than its popu- 
lation. The mode of valuing property, and the fluctuating 
character of the currency, make it almost impossible for the first 
one hundred years, to give any just and connected view of the 
growth of the town in wealth. Up to 1693, there was no 
valuation or tax separate from that of Cambridge. The first 
tax bill for the minister's salary in 1693, shows the relative 
wealth of the different individuals, but furnishes no data for the 
valuation of the precinct. By presenting in a tabular form the 
polls and valuations at different periods, we are enabled to form 
some idea of the growth of the place. Though it must be borne 
56 



mSTOKY OF LEXINGTON. 



in mind, that the basis of polls, and of the valuations, differed 
somewhat in different periods. 

List of Polls and Valuations at Different Periods. 



Tears. 


Polls 


1729, 


191 


1735, 


202 


1745, 


206 


1750, 


219 


1769, 


192 


1771, 


185 


1775, 


208 


1785, 


196 


1790, 


205 



Polls. 


Valuation. 


219 


S 251,052 


304 


310,967 


306 


234,366 


368 


247,466 


489 


661,549 


522 


1,869,453 


681 


1,813,634 


615 


1,747,459 



Valuation. Years. 

1800, 
1810, 
1820, 
1830, 
1840, 
1850, 
1860, 
1865, 



The fidelity of history requires that something should be said 
on the subject of Slavery. This evil was introduced into the 
country before the planting of the Massachusetts Colony ; and 
though our laws were hostile to the institution, yet the love of 
gain prompted its gradual introduction into the Colony, till our 
seaports, and all the towns near the coast, had more or less slaves. 
Dr. Belknap informs us, that rum distilled in Massachusetts was 
one fruitful source of the slave trade ; that vessels engaged in 
that base traffic generally carried out a cargo of our rum. 

Lexington did not escape the contamination of this evU. In 
1735, it appears from the town valuation, that there were twenty 
slaves in the town, held by the following persons, viz : Francis 
Bowman, Esq., held two ; Deacon Samuel Stone, one ; Captain 
Joseph Bowman, one ; John Overing, two ; Francis Bowman, 
Jr., one; John Bridge, one; Nehemiah Abbott, one; Joseph 
Meri'iam, one ; EbenezerFiske, one ; Isaac Stone, two ; Thomas 
Cutler, one ; Edward Winship, one ; Jonathan Harrington, one ; 
Joseph Simonds, one; John Muzzy, one; Samuel Locke, one; 
and Samuel Green, one. In 1744, the number was eighteen, 
and they were owned singly by different persons, except Francis 
Bowman, Joseph Bowman, and Amos Muzzy, who had two 
each. This number gradually diminished, till in 1775, there 
were but five slaves in the town, — owned respectively by Eben- 
ezer Fiske, Samuel Bridge, Robert Harrington, William Tidd, 
and Benjamin Estabrook. Though slaves to some extent were 
held in Lexington, they were in most cases kept as house 
servants. Not more than one family, that we are aware of, ever 



MISCELLANEOUS. 441 

engaged in the traffic of slaves. One who did engage iu this 
trade was subjected to an inconvenience attendant upon owning 

property in man. In 1727, Benjamin , of Lexington, 

offered a reward for a runaway, wliom he describes thus: "He 
speaks very good English, is about twenty-six years of age, had 
no hat on, but had a horse loch about one of his legs ; and was 
lately the property of John Muzzy, of Mendon." 

Though Slavery existed in Massachusetts, it was exempt from 
many of the evils which were connected with it in the Southern 
States. The slaves were generally taken into the famihes, and 
were treated like the other servants. They also enjoyed the 
same religious privileges as the whites. Tliey had seats in the 
meeting houses ; they owned the covenant, had their children 
baptized, were admitted to the churches, and sat down at the 
same communion table with their masters. Lexington Records 
contain full evidence of the enjoyment of these rights. By the 
Laws of Massachusetts, slaves were capable of holding property, 
had free access to our Courts, and whenever they sued for their 
liberty, it was granted either by the Court or by the jury. 
Slavery in Massachusetts was never hereditary by law. There 
never was a time when our Courts would not have given freedom 
to the children of slaves. 

These facts show that Slavery existed here in a modified form ; 
and Massachusetts was one of the first States to blot it out 
entirely, which was done by her Constitution in 1780. Though 
these facts do not justify, they extenuate the conduct of our 
fathers, and should teach us to judge them by the practice and 
spirit of the age in which they lived. 

Lexington, from its geographical position, has been pretty 
thoroughly cut up by roads. Before railroads diverted the 
travel, there were three gi-eat thoroughfares from Boston into 
the country, running through the entire length of the town : — 
The Concord turnpike through the southern, the Middlesex turn- 
pike through the northern, and the old Concord road through the 
central part of the town. These, with the roads to Bedford, 
Lincoln, Weston, Waltham, Watertown, Woburn, and Bur- 
lington, brought a large amount of travel through the place. 
Stages were run daily, and large teams from the northern part of 



442 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

the State, and from New Hampshire and Vermont, to and from 
Boston, could be seen upon the roads almost any hour in the day. 

But the introduction of railroads has diverted all the long 
travel from the town ; and wei*e it not for the increased local 
travel, our roads would be left almost desolate. Seeing this 
diversion of travel, the people of the town felt the necessity 
of doing something to prevent the population, as well as travel, 
from leaving the place. Railroads being the order of the day, 
that mode of communication seemed to be the only thing which 
would keep Lexington within the list of prosperous towns, and 
connect her with the commercial metropolis. One of her most 
enterprising citizens, Benjamin Muzzey, Esq., took the matter in 
hand, and by his zeal and perseverance, he was enabled by the 
aid of others, and the liberality of our citizens, to build a rail- 
road connecting Lexington with Boston. This road has been a 
blessing to the town, and the people owe a debt of gratitude to 
the memory of him by whose zeal and energy this has been 
obtained. 

Lexington, considering her territory, has a large extent of 
roads to support. The aggregate length of her roads is about 
sixty-five miles — making at least three hundred acres devoted 
to public ways. The town is not particularly burdened with 
bridges, having only two or three of any magnitude. But the 
greatest grievance which the town has ever suffered, has been the 
support of the " Great Bridge," so called, between the city of 
Cambridge and the town of Brighton. After paying tribute to 
the town of Cambridge about a century and a half, in 1859, by 
the effort of the Chairman of the Selectmen, an Act was obtained 
from the Legislature, exempting the town from any further 
support of a bridge eight miles distant from them, and one 
over which they rarely, if ever traveled. 

Lexington is almost entirely destitute of manufactures. In 
the easterly part of the town, the dressing of furs has been 
carried on to some extent ; but at the present time that has 
nearly ceased. Mr. Patrick Mitchell, in the East Village, has a 
small establishment for currying and dressing leather. Mr. 
Alonzo Goddard carries on the manufacture of tin and sheet-iron 
ware, but "he does little more than supply his own townsmen. 
Mr. Patrick Lynam manufactures a few manilla and other mats, 
but the quantity is inconsiderable. 



mSCELLANEOUS. 



443 



There are two establishments in Lexington for manufacturino' 
Peat into a compact and portable fuel. The process consists in 
grinding the material taken from the swamp in its wet condition, 
removing the roots or fibrous portions, and then pressing it into 
a solid compact form, thereby expressing the water, and then 
drying it in the sun. In this way a very good fuel is produced. 
It burns readily, and is clean to handle, though it has an odor 
which is rather unpleasant. Whether this preparation can be 
made profitable, remains to be seen. Lexington, with its exten- 
sive meadows of excellent peat, is a favorable place to try the 
experiment. 

There has recently been discovered in Lexington an extensive 
mine of Paint, which bids fair to prove a valuable article. The 
existence of the material has long been known, and some of it 
has been removed to make walks in gardens &c. ; but no one 
ever thought that it had the properties of paint, till Bowen 
Harrington, Esq., caused it to be subjected to a chemical and 
practical test within the past year. The mine has been purchased, 
and a Company organized. The paint has been prepared and 
offered in the market, and meets with a ready sale. Experienced 
painters and decorators have tested it, and assert that it is supe- 
rior to any pigment in the market. In its natural state, it is a 
hard material, of a buff* or yellowish hue, and when it is calcined 
it becomes a reddish broAvn. Both in its raw or calcined state it 
forms, when ground, an exceedingly fine powder, and mixes 
readily with oil, and can be used for common outside painting, 
or by mixing with other paints, forms a variety of beautiful 
tints. It dries readily, and forms a smooth and glossy surface, 
resembling a coat of varnish. 

Dr. Hayes, the well known State Assayer, has tested this 
paint, and gives the following analysis : 

The mineral taken from various points afforded the following results in 
100 parts : 

Moisture in undried powder, ..... 5.35 

Silica, 58.40 

Alumina, ......... 18.30 

Oxide of Iron, 11.80 

Oxide of Manganese, 4.20 

Magnesia and Lime 1.82 

99.87 



444 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

Dr. Hayes adds : " As pigments, they do not require half as 
much oil as the heavy ochres, while they give a large increase of 
volume, and the durability inferred from the composition must 
make the paint very valuable. There was not any substance 
present of a perishable kind. The basis compound, from its 
endurino- nature, confers great value upon this pigment. In 
mixing with oil, a partial combination takes place, which produces 
an elastic and mechanically excellent paint like white lead" 

If this paint should prove as durable as its friends anticipate, 
it will become highly valuable to the Company and to the public. 



Names of the Totvn Streets. 

Main Street. — Beginning with the Great Road at Arlington line, thence 
to Hay Scales near the Common. 

Monument Street, — From said Hay Scales to Lincoln line. 

Concord Avenue. — The Old Concord Turnpike, from Arlington to 
Lincoln line. 

Bow Street.— The road crossing the railroad, and near L. C. Childs's. 

Oak Street. — From Main Street, and by the Billings Smith Place. 

Pleasant Street. — From Main Street, and by the house of Francis 
Wellington, to Concord Avenue, near the house of Peter Wellington. 

Watertown Street. — From Pleasant Street, by the Phineas Lawrence 
Place. 

Valley Street. — From Watertown Street, by the Bowman Place, to 
Arlington line. 

Walnut Street. — From Concord Avenue, by the Joel Smith Place. 

Middle Street. — From Bryant's Corner, to Lincoln Street, near the 
Old Stone Place. 

Waltham Street. -s-From Main Street, opposite the Lexington House, 
to Waltham line. 

Blossom Street. — From Waltham Street to Concord Avenue, by the 
house of Elias Smith. 

Pine Street. — From Middle Street to Oliver and William B. Smith's, 
by the Galen Allen Place. 

H Street. — From Waltham Street to Pine Street, near the Galen Allen 
Place. 

Spring Street. — From Middle Street, opposite Walter Wellington's, 
to Waltham line, by thePhinney Place. 

Weston Street. — From Middle Street, opposite the Old Stone Place, 
to Lincoln line, passing near the Tufts Place, and near to Thomas H. 
Rhoades's. 

Shade Street.— From Weston Street, by Mrs. William H. Carey's 
house, to Thomas Cutler's. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 445 

MuzzEY Street.— From Main Street, opposite the Depot, to Forest 
Street. 

Forest Street. — From Waltham Street to Muzzey Street. 

Lincoln Street. — From Monument Street, by the house of A. W. 
Crowningshield, to Lincoln line. 

School Street. — From Monument Street, by the West-District School- 
house, to Middle Street. 

Wood Street. — From Monument Street, by William Hartwell's, to 
Bedford line. 

Cedar Street. — From Monument Street, by the Alms-house, to the 
Isaac Muzzey Place. 

Hill Street. — From Cedar Street, by the Alms-house, to Bedford 
Street. 

Elm Avenue. — From Monument Street to Bedford Street, northwest 
of the Common. 

Bedford Street. — From the Hay Scales, by Joshua Simonds's, to 
Bedford line. 

Hancock Street. — From Bedford Street, by William Chandler's and 
North District School-house to Bedford Street. 

Cross Street. — From Hancock Street to Bedford Street, by Benjamin 
Gleason's. 

Burlington Street.— From Hancock Street, near C. W. Johnson's, 
by Angler's, to Burlington line. 

Grove Street. — From Bui-lington Street, by Daniel Cummings's, to 
Bedford line. 

Adams Street.— From Hancock Street, near Warren Duren's, to Bur- 
lington line. 

East Street.— From Adams Street, by George Locke's, to Woburn 
line. 

Lowell Street — The " Old Middlesex Turnpike." 

North Street. — From Lowell Street, near the Haramon Locke Place, 
and by the houses of William Locke and James Williams, to Burlington 
line. 

And North Street is to continue from the Hammon Locke Place, north- 
easterly towards Mr. Blanchard's, to Town line. 

Woburn Street. — From Main Street, near the house of Mrs. Lucy 
Turner, to Woburn line. 

Maple Street.— From Main Street, near Nathaniel Pierce's, to Nathan 
Fessenden, Jr's. 

Vine Street. — From Woburn Street, by Cornelius McMahan's, over 
the hill. 

Marrett Street.— From School Street, near A. W. Crowningshield's, 
to Monument Street, near the old Viles Tavern Place. 

Making, in all. Thirty-eight Streets and Avenues. 



INDEX OF NAMES. 



Abbott, p. 41, 225, 405, 7 
Adams, 21, 41, 8, 114,20,4, 

5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 35. 7, 43, 57, 
61, 3, 4, 7, 8. 70, 3. 4, 7, 
207, 15, 29. 37, 40, I, 2, 3. 

6, 58. 89, 90, 3, 386, 8, 9, 
99, 409, 11 

Allen, 404 
Alline, 387 
Ames, 151 
Andros, 111, 36 
Angier, 396, 9 
Appleton, 325. 7 
Armstrong, 294 
Aspinwatl, 208 
Austin, 285, 94 
Axlin, 48 

Backett, 401 

Bacon, 211, 12 

Baker, 320, 90 

Baldwin, 195 

Ball, 39 J 

Bancroft, 237 

Bannan, 397, 401 

Barber, 212 

Barnard, 380, 2 

Barnes, 72 

Barney, 391 

Barre, 117 

Barrett, 104, 85, fi, 7, 9, 90. 

2, 211. 43, 5, 8, 52, 390, 

405 
Barron, 212 
Bartlett, 401 
Beals, 406 
Bell, 212 
Bemis, 391 
Bennett, 379 
Bergain, 400 
Berlitz, 400 
Bernard, 118, 19, 23 
Bigelow, 389 
Billings, 390 
Blackman, 391 
Blake, 285 
Blanchard, 190, 211, 12, 

378 
Blasdell, 408, 29, 30 
Blodgett. 42, 7, 55, 7, 62, 

258, 378, 9. 80. 4, 5, 92, 

402, 5, 8, 12 
Bond, 202, 58, 390 
Botta. 237 
Bowers, 362, 404 



Bowes, 321 

Bowker, 390 

Bowman, 41, 8, 50, 5, 62, 5, 
9, 70, 2, 4, 88, 92, 5, 9, 
102, 76, 7, 256, 88, 377, 

82, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 92, 402, 
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 
40 

Breed, 211, 12 

Bridge, 39, 44, 7. 8, 9, 55, 
62, 72, 81, 95, 245, 56, 8. 
315, 17, 35. 61, 77, 8, 9, 
84, 5, 6, 8, 9, 402, 3, 5, 6, 
7,9, 10, 11,40 

Briggs, 288, 96, 347, 8, 99, 
404 

Brooks, 193, 389, 90, 1 

Brown, 55, 69, 72, 4, 81, 8, 
95, 9. 102, 67, 70, 82, 5, 
8, 9, 211, 17, 24, 58, 61), 1, 
75, 80. 6, 92. 3, 327, 30, 

83, 4. 5, 6, 7, 9, 90, 2, 402, 
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 31 

Bryant, 398. 9, 4'J4, 6, 9 
Buckley, 401 
Buckman, 383, 403, 5 
Bull, 401 
Bullard. 245, 398 
Burbank, 349, 408 
Burdoo, 384, 5, 6, 90 
Burke, 117 
Bussey, 400 
Butteriield. 399 
Butters, 396, 9 
Buttrick, 188, 9, 90, 390, 7 
Buxton. 400 
Byle, 400 
Byron, 400 

Call, 380 

Callahan, 398 

Capell, 308, 97, 400, 1 

Carly, 42, 7, 8 

Carpenter. 400 

Carroll, 400 

Carson, 401 

Cary, 354. 416. 30 

Chaffin, 379, 91 

Chamberlain. 211, 12. 399 

Chandler, 258, 88, 91. 349, 
80, 4, 6, 6. 8. 9, 96, 8, 
403, 5,6, 7, 8,9, 11, 26 

Channing, 359 

Cheever, 142 

Childs, 384, 6, 8, 401, 5, 34 



Church, 125. 42. 6, 248 

Clapham, 379, 80 

Clapp, 406 

Clarke, 41, 73, 6, 87, 8, 92, 
4, 101, 51, 61, 2, 3, 8, 9, 
70, 3, 7, 81, 214.27,42,3, 
62,80,2,3,93, 317, 20,9, 
30, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 41, 
2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 62, 85, 7, 91, 
2, 409, 28, 9. 

Cleves, 212 

Cody, 398 

Cogswell, 389 

Cole, 397, 8 

Comee, 48, 55, 180, 2, 211, 
384 

Conant, 212, 390 

Connauton, 40O 

Converse, 400 

Conway, 379 

Cook, 74, 81, 212, 15 

Cooledge, 212, 363, 405 

Cooper, 124 

Copeland, 409 

Cosgrove, 399 

Cotton, 73 

Cox, 391 

Crafts, 361,90, 1,405 

Crosbv, 258, 387, 90, 1, 7 

Crouch, 400 

Crowley, 397, 8, 9, 401 

Crowningshield, 406, 8, 30 

Crufts, 348, 404 

Cummings, 215 

Cushing. 125, 43, 64, 215, 
48, 346 

Cutler. 41, 4, 7, 8.54,5. 62, 
315, 17, 18, 84, 8, 90, 7, 
8, 402, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12, 40 

Cutting, 81 

Damon, 349. 404, 7, 9 
Dana, 285, 431 
Danforth, 390, 407, U 
Darling. 400 
Davis, 187, 8, 9, 90, 208, 11, 

20, 33, 89, 90, 349, 90, 1, 

409 
Dawes, 169, 70 
Dean, 399 
Dearborn, 285. 94 
De Coty, 397 
Deland, 212 
Dennett, 397 
Dennie, 411 



INDEX. 



447 



Derby, 249, 51 
Devens, 142, 6, 67, 8 
Diamond, 387, 90, 2 
Dillon, 399 
Ditson, 157. 392 
Dix. 81, 248, 380 
Dodge, 212, 362, 404 
Dole, 379 
Donelly, 400 
Donnell, 399 
Dorr, 360, 405 
Douglas, 223, 30 
Downer, 206 
Downing, 286. 406 
Draper, 225, 380 
Dudley, 380, 404, 24 
Dunbar, 405 
Dunkley, 42, 64 
Dunster, 331 
Durant, 293, 386, 7, 92 
Duren, 390, 406, 34, 5 
Dwight, 357, 72 

Eames, 379 

Earle,398 

Edgar, 400 

Edgell. 378, 9 

Edwards, 332 

Eliot, 331 

Emerson, 184, 357 

Estabrook, 46, 9, 50, 1, 2, 
3, 5,81, 211, 58, 315, 16, 
17, 18, 19, 27, 65, 77, 8, 
84, 5, 6, 7, 9, 90, 1, 8, 402, 
3, 5, 6. 7, 8, 9, 11, 40 

Eustis, 285, 386 

Evans, 391, 401 

Everett, 180, 212, 18, 91, 3 

Everson, 429 

Fairfield, 350 

Faley, 400 

Farmer, 182, 211, 383, 91 

Farrington, 390 

Fassett, 42, 64, 70, 379, 402, 
5.8 

Felp, 212 

Fessenden, 258, 379, 84, 5, 
6, 7, 8, 9, 403, 4, 6, 11 

Fisher, 146 

Fiske, 43, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9. 50, 
5, 72, 253, 93, 315, 17, 19, 
77, 8, 80, 4, 7, 8, 9, 90, 1, 
2, 6, 401, 3, 4, 6, 6, 8, 9, 
10,40 

Fitch, 399 

Flagg, 399 

Fletcher, 378 

FoUen, 357, 8, 9, 60 

Foot, 390, I 

Foster, 205,20,85,378 

Fowle, 391, 427; 31 

Fox, 317, 88, 9 

Franklin, 248 

Freeman, 248 

French, 400 

Frost, 211, 392 

Frothingham, 391 

Frye, 245 

Fryer, 400 

Fuller, 285 

Fullington, 392 



Gage, 134, 5, 6, 8, 40. 1, 4, 

6, 54, 5, 6, 8, 9, 63, 4, 6, 

7, 8, 9, 72, 5, 85, 97, 209. 
10, 11. 13, 26, 48,50, 1, 2 

Gale, 391 
Gallagher, 396 
Gammell, 372, 405 
Gardner, 103, 42, 208, 12, 

48 
Gaiely, 398 
Gerard, 401 

Gerry, 167, 74, 5, 248, 85 
Gilbert, 391 
Gill, 142 
Gleason, 398 
Goddard, 404 
Godding, 380 
Goldthwait. 212 
Gordon, 163,92, 8,224 
Gossom, 396 
Gould, 211, 308, 89, 98, 99, 

412 
Graham, 228 
Grant, 49, 145 
Gray, 103, 400 
Green, 284, 384, 5, 7, 98, 440 
Greenleaf, 142 
Gridley, 114 
Grimes, 42, 384, 5, 6, 91 
Grover, 400, 1 

Hadley, 211, 12,17,92,384, 

5, 6, 7, 91, 2 
Hager, 386, 9, 91 
Hancock, 53, 4,66, 7, 8, 71, 

2, 119, 24, 5, 7, 8, 41, 2, 

3, 6, 57, 61, 3, 4, 7, 8, 70, 
3, 7, 226, 43, 5, 81, 93, 
319, 20, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 

8, 9. 30, 4, 9, 43, 4, 5, 7, 
66, 409, 10, 28 

Hanford, 400 

Hanscom, 398 

Harding, 396, 9 

Harrington, 42, 64, 88, 99, 
180, 1, 211, 17, 24,58,60, 
1, 86, 8, 92, 3, 301. 30, 3, 
77. 9. 80. 2, 3. 4. 5, 6, 7, 
8, 9, 90, 1, 2, 6, 8, 403, 4, 

5, 6, 7, 8. 9, 24, 40, 3 
Harris, 390 

Hastings, 41,317, 68, 84. .5. 

6, 7,9.91,403, 6,7,8,9 
Hatch, 397 

Haven, 212 

Hawley, 237, 41 

Hayes, 418, 28, 43 

Haynes, 212 

Haywood, 196, 211, 390, 1 

Healy, 397 

Heath, 142, 6, 204, 5, 9, 13, 

45 
Hemminway. 212 
Henry, 241. 6 
Herbert, 380 
Hewes, 47, 8 
Hicks, 211 
Hildreth, 398 
Hill, 380 

Hoar, 41, 72, 5,403, 5 
Hobbs, 47, 8 
Hodge, 81 



Hoi den, ,391 

llolman, 390 

Holmes, 399, 405, 9 

Holt. 379 

Hooker, 33 

Hosmer, 187, 90, 211, 33. 

93, 384, 92 
Houghton, 373 
Howard, 397 
Howe, 404 
Hudson, 308. 10, 72, 99, 

404, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 34, 6 
Hunt, 55 
Huntington, 370 
Hutchinson, 81, 101, 14, 16, 

24,6 

Ingersol, 379 
Isherwood, 399 

Jacobs, 212 

Jacobson, 400 

James, 404, 8 

Jarvis, 380 

Jenison, 388, 90, 1 

Johnson, 42, 7, 8, 212, 308, 

96, 7, 400 
Jones, 173, 379, 90, 7, 8, 9 

Keefe, 401 
K el ley, 398 

Kendall, 42, 346, 78, 99 
Kennedy, 401 
Kennison, 212 
Kerbe, 55 
Keyes, 406 
KiUock, 390 
Kinaston, 397, 9 
King, 220 
Kingsbury. 211 
Kirkland. 347 
Knapp. 348. 404 
Kneeland. 396, 7 
Knight, 47 
Knowlton, 390 

Ladd, 222 
Lafayette, 252, 86 
Lane, 212 
Lanny, 392 
Laughton, 327, 403, 5 
Laurie, 187, 90 
Lawrence, 42, 9, 54. 64. 74, 
366. 78, 87. 98, 402, 3, 4, 

5, 7, 8. 10, 27 
Leary, 399 

Le Barron. 292 

Lee, 135, 42, 67, 74, 6, 250, 

1 
Leland, 362, 73, 405 
Lendrum. 229 
Lennix. 391 
Lent, 401 
Lewis, 375, 6, 425 
Lincoln, 141, 2, 311, 12, 13 
Linsey, 396 
Livermore, 309, 53, 4, 6, 6, 

90, 405 
Locke, 42, 7, 8, 54, 5, 224, 

93, 318. 49. 78, 9, 80, 4, 5, 

6, 7. 8, 9. 91, 2, 7, 401, 2, 
4, 6, 6, 32, 40 



448 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



Logan, 398 

Longfellow, 171 

Loring, 55, 72, 95, 9, 201, 

80, 93, 330, 83, 0, 6, 7, 9, 

92, 407 
Lossing. 229 
Lovewell, 397 
Lynam, 442 
Lyon, 331 

Mackintosh, 81 

Madison, 246 

Maloney, 401 

Manly, 397, 401 

Mann, 380, 90 

Manning, 400 

Mansfield, 245 

Marchant, 399 

Marcy, 211 

Marrett, 173, 346, 84, 8, 92, 

403, 11 
Mason, 43, 64, 6, 62, 74, 

293, 380, 3, 5, 8, 403, 6, 

6, 10 
Mather, 331 
Matthews, 390 
Mauduit, 163 
Maxwell, 379 
May, 348, 72, 404 
Mavhew, 116 
McCarthy, 401 
McGrath, 401 
McGuire, 400 
McMahan, 397, 400 
McMulleu, 380 

Mead, 48, 55, 64,6,76,258, 
65, 317, 84, 7, 8, 9, 90, 1, 
2, 400 

Melvin, 390, 96 

Merriam, 43, 7, 8, 62, 3, 6, 

7, 62, 6, 317, 27, 78, 80, 3, 
4, 7, 90, 1, 400, 2, 4, 5, 6, 
7, 10, 26. 40 

Michels, 390 

Miles, 188, 9, 211 

Miller, 209, 12 

Mills, 211, 400 

Minot, 73, 186, 211, 33, 

382 
Mitchel, 442 
Moore, 379, 388 
Morgan, 390 
Morrell, 215, 91, 368, 404, 

8,9 
Moulton, 192 
MuUiken, 202, 25, 383, 9, 

403, 4, 6. 7, 8, 9, 11 
Munroe, 42,7, 8, 9, 5^. 3, .5, 

7, 62, 6, 77, 102, 67, 77, 

8, 9, 80, 1, 2, 202, 11, 17, 
23, 4, 55, 6, 7, 8, 80, 92, 3, 
378, 9, 80, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 
7, 8, 9, 90, 1, 2, 402, 3, 4, 

6, 7, 8, 32 
Murphy, 397 

Muzzev, 43, 7, 8, 50, 2, 6, 
181,211. 17, 61, 86, 8,92, 
308, 9, 68, 79, 83, 4, 5, 7, 
8,9,96.7,401, 3,4,5, 6, 

7. 8, 9, 11, 12, 25, 27, 40, 
41 



Nason, 400 
Naylor, 401 
Neagles, 391 
Nelson, 41. 75, 404 
Nesbit, 157 
Nevens, 379, 401 
Newell, 389 
Newton, 378 
Nichols, 212 
Nixon, 245 
Nourse, 400 
Nunn, 406, 7, 31 

O'Brien, 400 
O'Connell, 431 
Oliver, 116 
Olnhausen, 308 
O'Neil, 397 
Orne, 142, 6, 67, 74, 5 
Otis, 114, 15 

Paine, 143 

Palfrey, 41 

Palmer, 142, 6 

Parker, 41, 75, 171. 7, 8, 83, 

211, 17, 23, 4, 5,7,8, 9, 

30, 2, 42, 3, 54, 8, 60, 5, 

92, 3, 349, 79, 83, 4, 5, 8, 

91, 9, 403, 4, 5, 6, 7 
Parkhurst, 225, 60, 384, 8, 

403 
Parkman, 188 
Parsons, 187, 93 
Payson, 199, 215 
Peacock, 390 
Peck, 387 
Percy, 159, 68, 9, 97, 8, 202, 

3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 62, 

419 
Perkins, 389 
Perry, 48. 379, 80 
Peters, 396 
Phelps, 407 
Phillips, 125 
Phinney, 176, 286. 7, 8, 9, 

91, 2, 4, 348, 409, 11, 19, 

31 
Pierce, 182, 211, 12, 372, 8, 

9, 80, 3, 6, 9, 90, 1, 2, 

404, 6, 31 
Pierpont, 357 
Pigeon, 146 
Piper, 379, 89 
Pitcairn. 175, 8, 9, 80, 3, 

203, 27, 8, 9 
Pitt, 117 

Plumnier, 308, 409 
Pole, 187, 93 
Polly, 212 
Pomeroy, 142 
Porter, 181, 212, 17, 384 
Potter, 401 
Poulter, 48, 61, 3, 4, 317, 

402 
Powers, 378 
Pratt, 389 
Preble, 142 
Prescott, 170, 211, 45 
Preston, 409 
Puffer, 396 
Purcell, 400 



Pushee, 398 
Putnam, 72, 212, 45 

Quincy, 142, 74, 294 

Ramsdell, 212 

Ramsey, 396 

Randolph, 363, 405 

Rankin, 401 

Raymond, 202, 11, 92, 379, 
80, 3 

Reed, 42, 7, 8, 50, 3,4, 5,7, 
62, 6, 70, 1, 2, 4, 6, 82, 8, 
92, 5,9.212, 58,60, 86,8, 
91, 3, 308, 17, 68, 77, 8, 
80, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 90, 1, 

402, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 
32 

Remington, 317 
Revere, 169, 70, 1, 3 
Rice, 348 
Richards, 390 
Richardson, 211 
Richmond, 347 
Ripley, 220 
Robbins, 81, 182, 211, 25, 

379, 80, 3, 4, 8, 90, 4U3, 6, 

10 
Robinson, 189, 379, 83, 6, 7, 

90, 1, 2, 404, 6, 8, 9, 12, 

24, 8, 9 
Roff, 81 
Ropes, 362 
Ross, 81 
Rugg, 48, 55 

Russell, 43, 7, 8, 55, 74, 6, 
207, 11, 20, 58, 60, 91, 
317, 79, 85, 7, 8, 9, 91, 

403, 4, 6, 8, 32 

Sampson, 224, 390, 1 

Sanderson, 170, 3, 224, 5 
383, 4, 5, 6, 7, 92 

Savage, 309, 62 

Saville, 399, 407, 9 

Sawin, 398 

Scott, 378, 9, 80 

Seaver, 212, 26 

Sewall, 316 

Shattuck, 289 

Shays, 279 

Sheena, 400 

Sheppard, 390 

Sherman, 397 

Simonds, 42. 7, 8. 9, 54, 6, 
62, 9, 95, 180, 215, 56, 8, 
80, 93, 378. 83, 4, 5, 7, 9, 

91, 8, 9, 402. 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 
Smith, 41, 8, 72, 174, 6, 9, 

88, 9. 90, 2, 3, 6, 203, 10, 

25, 58, 60, 93, 380, 2, 3, 5, 
6, 7, 8, 9. 91, 2, 8, 401. 3, 
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 19, 30, 1, 
40 

Snow, 81 
Solis, 4U9 
Somes, 401 
Southwick, 212 
Spalding, 245 
Staples, 352, 3 
Stark, 245 



INDEX. 



449 



Stearns, 41, 7, 8, 55, 62, 72, 
378, 83, 6, 7, 8, 9, 91, 2, 

7, 403, 5 
Stedman, 159 

Stetson, 290, 310, 61, 70, 

404, 5, 9, 12 
Stevens, 303 
Stimpson, 399 
Stockbridge, 81 
Stockwell, 379 
Stone, 41. 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 50, 

1, 3, 5, 7, 72. 4, 5, 6, 81, 

8, 92, 9, 102, 3, 248, 56, 8, 
61, 315, 17. 19, 27, 30, 77, 
8. 84, 8, 402, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 
40 

Story, 294 
Stowe, 310, 61 
Stratton, 390 
Sullivan, 248 
Sumner, 427 
Swain, 400 
Swan, 385 
Swett, 296, 348, 404 

Taylor, 226, 48 

Teel, 378 

Thomas, 142, 245 

Thompson, 193, 5, 212 

Thorn, 397 

Tidd, 42, 4. 7, 8. 50. 1. 62, 
4. 72, 180,2,211. 24,5, 8. 
315,73,83,4.5.8,9,90,2, 
400, 2, 3. 4, 5, 6, 7, 33, 40 

Tingle, 386, 92 

Tolman, 211 

Tower, 408, 31 



Townsend,212 

Trask. 380, 98,403,6, 10 

Tree, 391 

Trull, 399 

Tucker. 408 

Tuder, 390, 2 

Tufts, 404. 12 

Turner, 39J 

Tuttle, 404 

Underwood, 223, 368, 79, 
80, 4, 5. 6, 7, 90, 404, 10 
Usher, 362, 404 

Varnum, 285 
Viglo, 400 
Vila 412 

Viles, 265, 383, 6, 7, 403, 4, 
7,9 

Walker, 293, 379 

Wallace, 212 

Walsh, 398 

Ward, 142, 245 

Ward well, 55 

Warren, 124, 8, 42, 6, 67, 

204, 6, 26, 7- 39, 40, 9 
Washington, 312, 13 
Watson, 142, 6, 67, 248 
Webb, 212 
Webber, 391 
Webster, 294, 404 
Weld, 331, 76 
Wellington, 41, 176, 268, 

88, 91, 372, 9, 83, 5, 6, 7, 

8,9. 91, 402,3,4, 6,6, 7, 

8, 11, 12, 20, 31 



Westeott, 356 
Wheeler, 401 
Wheelock, 245, 398 
Whitcomb, .'579, 409 
White, 41, 9, 142, 6, 378,9 

80, 3, 5, 8, 91 
Whitmore, 40, 4, 7, 8, 65, 

02, 315, 17. 427 
Whitman, 349, 50, 1, 2, 401, 

5 
Whitney, 49, 222, 45 
Whittemore, 41, 81, 211, 

405 
Wilder, 405 
Willard, 73, 317, 18, 20 
Williams, 283, 4, 321,M6,7, 

84, 8, 90, 7, 400 
Willis, 409 
Wilson. 49. 62, 4, 196, 212, 

379, 92, 400 
Winning, 399 
Winship. 40, 4, 7,8,9, 50, 

1, 5, 182, 207, 11, 20, 315, 

17, 66, 78, 9, 80, 3, 6. 7. 8, 

9.90,1,2,403,4,5,6,11, 

13,40 
Winter, 45, 7, 8, 315 
VYinterbotham, 228 
Wiswell, 212 
Wood, 380, 9 
Woodbury, 212 
Woodward, 215 
Woolson, 410 
Wright, 300, 99, 400 
Wvraan, 195, 207, 11, 20, 

384, 8, 401, 4, 5 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER 



LEXIKGTO]Sr FAMILIES. 



INTKODUCTION. 

In the following notices of the Lexington families, I have been 
desirous to give a full genealogy of those who settled in the town early, 
or who have resided long in the place. Most of the families which 
have come into Lexington within the last twenty or thirty years, have 
little or no record on our town books ; and hence it is impossible to 
give any connected view of them from our records. In such cases I 
have applied to the families personally or by circular, to furnish a 
complete record ; and wherever such a record has been procured, it 
has been used in this volume. But many, I regret to say, have 
supplied no such lists. This fact is mentioned, to show that the 
fullest opportunity has been given to every family, to provide the 
means which would enable me to give them a place in this Register. 
It would be impossible for me to take up every modern family, and 
follow them through the records of the respective places where they 
and their ancestors may have resided, and give their genealogy. 
A life-time would be insutficieut for such a Herculean task ; especially 
when we consider the changing character of our population at the 
present day. I regret the absence of many families from this list, 
but the fault is not mine. 

My plan has been to begin as far back as my means of information 
would allow, and to trace the line of descent to the ftimily or individ- 
ual who came to Lexington j and while he or they remained in town, 
I have endeavored to embrace in the list every member of the family. 
When any individual or family have left town, I have dropped their 
genealogy ; though I have noted all important historical events, con- 
nected with the individual or family, known to me, as far as they fell 
within the scope of this sketch. 
38 



2 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

While I have endeavored to be accurate, I have not the vanity to 
suppose that I have avoided all errors. Every one who has had any 
experience in labors of this kind, knows that errors are unavoidable. 
The neglect of parents in having the births, deaths, and marriages in 
their respective families recorded, renders it impossible in many cases, 
to collect from the town records a correct list of a family. And this 
difficulty is increased by the recurrence of the same name in the dif- 
ferent branches of a family. Where there are two or three Williams, 
or Johns, or Samuels, or Sarahs, or Marys, or Abigails of the same 
surname, and the record gives the birth, death, or marriage of a 
person of that name, without giving the name of the parent or the age 
of the individual, it is difficult, and sometimes impossible, from the 
record, to decide which of the individuals is intended. In all such 
cases I have had recourse to other evidence, and have generally satis- 
fied myself on this subject. 

Genealogists know what allowances to make. But in this case as 
in almost all others, those are the most difficult to please, who know 
the least of the embarrassments in this kind of labor. Every geneal- 
ogist must make up his mind in advance that his work will be branded 
as unreliable, by those who have neglected to give accurate informa- 
tion, or have been remiss in having their children recorded. 

I regret that the accounts given of some families are so meagre 
and imperfect ; but the defect is chargeable to the record. What 
I have given is the fruit of much labor, study, and anxiety. I have 
carefully examined the records of Lexington, and most of the neigh- 
boring towns, the published genealogies of numerous families, and 
also the records of the Probate office and the office of the Register 
of Deeds for the cou^aty. From these sources I have supplied, in 
numerous cases, the defects of the town records, and have even sup- 
plied the record of whole families, not found upon the town records 
at all. 

The following explanations will enable the reader to understand the 
genealogical tables : 

Abbeviations. — b. stands for born; bap. tor baptized; m {or married ; unm. 
tor unmarried ; d. for died; dau. for daughter or daughters; wid. for widow; r. 
for resides or resided; ad. for admitted; o. c. for oicned the Covenant; ch. for 
church ; chil. for children. I have also abbreviated many of the towns to which 
frequent reference is made, as Lex. for Lexington; Canib. for Cambridge; Wo. 
for IVoburn ; Wat. for Watertown; Con. for Concord; Walt, for Waltham; Bed. 
for Bedford, &c. All towns mentioned will be considered as being within this 
State, unless another State is mentioned ; or the case is so clear as to exclude 
doubt, as Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit, ^c. 

In the following tables, the parents' names are given in full, and 
are printed in small capitals ; the children's Christian name alone 
is given, and is printed in italics. Children are separated from their 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 3 

parents by a short line, thus: . And different families, or 

branches of the same families, are separated from each other by aline 
across the page, thus : 

The right hand figure on the left margin of the page, denotes the 
number of persons consecutively from the first named to the last of the 
fiimily of that name. The first male mentioned under each general 
head or new family, is set down as 1, and his children as 2, 3, 4, 
&c., and so on consecutively through every branch of the family; and 
the number set against any person is considered as his number, and 
no one is ever brought forward again but in connection with that 
number. Whenever the children are first named in the series, the 
number of the father is brought down against them, and placed at the 
left hand, separated by a hyphen, thus: 1-2 or 12-41, as the case 
may be — the left hand figure denoting the father, and the right hand 
figures the children — the father's number being understood as apply- 
ing to each of his children. Whenever an obelisk (f ) is prefixed to a 
name, it denotes that the person will be taken up again ; and the place 
where he is thus treated of may be found by following down the left 
margin of the page, till you find his number standing in the second 
place to the left of the marginal line, and the number of his father one 
place to the left of that, expressed thus: 1-2- or 12-41-. The num- 
bers, of course, will vary with the position of the person in the table. 

That the above explanation may be fully understood, I will illus- 
trate it by its application to a particular family in this Register. 
Take the Smith Family, as an example. 

John SmitJi^ being the ancestor of the family, stands as No. 1. 
Against this number his personal history is given. He is separated 
from his children by a short rule or line. His number (1) is brought 
down against the name of his first child, John, who is numbered 2. 
The other children ai-e numbered in succession — Francis, 3, Daniel, 4, 
and Thomas, 5. It is understood that the number of the parent stands 
against the name or number of each of the children. By inspecting 
the table, it will be seen that an obelisk is prefixed to the name of 
Thomas^ No. 5. This denotes that he will be brought forward again. 
To find the place where he will be further treated of, follow down the 
left hand of the page till you find the number of the father (1) and the 
number of the son (5) standing together thus : 1-5-. Thomas's num- 
ber (5) is brought down against his children, whose consecutive 
numbers are 6 to 14, inclusive. Here again you find the obelisk 
against the names of Thomas, John, and Joseph, denoting that each 
of them will be further considered where their respective numbers, 
and that of their fathers, are found in the margin. Take the first 
named in this family, viz. Thomas, whose number is 8. He will be 



4 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

found in the table where his number is placed in the margin, standing 
at the right hand of the number of his father (5) thus : 5-8-. Against 
the number of Thomas (8) will be found the numbers of his children, 
from 15 to 20, inclusive. In this family, Thomas, Joseph, and Ben- 
jamin have the mark prefixed to their names, showing that they will 
be brought forward again and their families given. Take Joseph as 
an example, whose number is 19, Further along in the margin, you 
will find 8, the number of the father, and 19, the number of Joseph ; 
there you will find his personal history, and below, against his num- 
ber (19), you will find his children, numbered from 31 to 40, inclusive. 
Several of the sons are marked with an obelisk, showing that more will 
be said of them where their respective numbers are found in the 
margin associated with 19, the number of their father. Take Heze- 
kiah, numbered 33. By following down the margin, we find 19-33- 
where Hezekiah is taken up as a father, and his history, and the 
names of his children, are given. From his children, who are marked 
for further consideration, we will select Joseph, whose number is 66. 
Following the direction already given, we find 33-66- in the margin, 
where a notice of him and his children will be found. If we should 
select Billings, numbered 140, and look for his appropriate place 
where his father's number (66) and his own (140) are found in the 
margin, we should find amoug his children, Billings, our present fellow- 
citizen, standing as number 204. 

By following these directions, the reader can easily trace the Smiths 
or any other family. This can be done backward as well as forward. 
Take, for example, Elias Smithy who married Harriet Hastings. His 
number is 152, which stands against 87, the number of his father, 
Josiah. By following back the consecutive numbers, you find that 87 
is the son of 40 of the same name ; and 40 is the son of 19, which is 
the number of Joseph, the father ; and 19 is the son of 8 ; and 8 the 
son of 5 ; and 5 the son of 2 ; and 2 the son of 1, the original ancestor. 

In this way any family can easily be traced in the following regis- 
ter. It will be seen that each division of a family separated by 
a long rule or line, presents at once three generations — the grand- 
father, the father, and the children — the fii'st by number, and the last 
two by name. 

I have been thus particular, because people frequently complain 
that they cannot understand the arrangement of genealogists, or trace 
the connection between the different branches or members of a family. 
The plan I have adopted is partly original, and is, I believe, more 
simple than any plan in use ; and if it be followed, will enable any 
person to trace the connection between the members of any family 
which is presented in a tabular form. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



1- 2 



2- 3 

4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 

10 
11 



2-7- 



7-13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 

7-13- 



13-20 
21 
22 



THE ABBOT FAMILY. 

Adopting the alpliabetical crder, we must place the Abbots at the 
head of the Lexington Families. They were not among the earliest 
settlers, nor were they very numerous, but for a time held a very 
respectable position among the people of the place. By the aid of 
the Abbot Genealogy, we are enabled to present a connected line of 
descent from the original emigrant. 

George Abbot, with three sons, George, Nehemiahand Thomas, 
emigrated from England, and settled in Rowley, where he d. 1047. 

George, the eldest son of the emigrant, b. in England, settled in 
Andover, 1655, where he m. May, 1658, Sarah Farnum. He d. 
March 22, 1689, and she d. 1728, aged 90, the widow of Henry 
Ingalls. 

George, b. Jan. 28, 1659 ; d. Jan. 24, 1724, aj^ed 65. 

Sarah, b. Sept. 6, 1660; m. 1682, John Faulkner. 

JoJm, b. Aug. 26. 1662. 

Mart/, b. Mar. 29, 1664; m. 1687, Stephen Barker. 

jNehemiah, b. July 20, 1667 ; d. Oct. 8, 1750. 

Hannah, h. Sept. 20, 1668; m. 1695, James Ingalls. 

Mehitabel, b. Feb. 17, 1671 ; d. young. 

Lydia, b. Sept. 29, 1675 ; m. 1695, Henry Chandler. 

Samuel, b. May 30, 1678. 12 Mehitabel, b. April 4, 1680. 



Nehemiah Abbot, m. Abigail Lovejoy, 169 L He was a deacon 
in Andover, and represented the town in the General Court. 

^Nehemiah, b. Jan. 19, 1692; d. Feb. 17, 1767. 

Abiel, b. Aug. 10, 1693; d. Jan. 21, 1758. 

Zebadiah, b. April 6, 1695 ; d. Sept. 9, 1767. 

John, b. Oct. 31, 1697 ; d. Nov. 25, 1779. 

Abigail, b. Sept. 30, 1699 ; m. Benjamin Abbot, and d. Dec. 8, 1753. 

Mary, b. March 24, 1701 ; m. James Bridges, and d. 1774. 

Joseph, b. ; d. Nov. 12, 1726. 



Nehemiah Abbot, from Andover, bought. May 11, 1714, of 
Thomas Woolson, a house and land in Weston, known as the Stony 
Brook Mill Lot. He m. 1714, Sarah Foster. About 1719, here- 
moved to Lex. where a portion of his children were born. He was 
ad. to the ch in Lex. Feb. 23, 1724. His name first appears upon 
the Town Records in 1721. He served his fellow townsmen from 
time to time, as school committee man, assessor, and town treas- 
urer. His wife probably d. 1770. He lived in the southwestern 
part of the town, now within the bounds of Lincoln. 

Nehemiah, bap. in Weston, Dec. 4, 1715; d. young. 
Nehemiah, bap. in Weston, March 14, 1717 ; d. July 13, 1785. 
Sarah, bap. in Weston, Nov. 2, 1718. 
59 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



23 

24 
25 



13-25- 



25-26 
27 

28 
29 
30 
32 
34 

25-2G- 



26-35 
37 
39 
41 



1-2 
3 
4 
5 
6 



1-3- 



3- 7 

8 

9 

10 

11 
12 



Abigail, b. Jan. 26, 1721 ; m. Amos Lawrence, of Groton, and died 

Jan. 6, 1784. 
WilUam, b. Oct. 9, 1724; d. Jan. 2, 1798, aged 74. 
jJosejih, b. June 8, 1727 ; d. 1793, aged 66. 



Joseph Abbot, m. March 24, 1762, Hannah White. He appears 
to have been the only son of the family which remained in Lex. He 
resided at or near the Spaulding place in Lincoln, which was taken 
from Lex. when Line, was incorporated in 1754. Hence he is 
frequently mentioned in the Records as of Lincoln. 

jJosepli, b. July 10, 1752 ; d. 1834, aged 82. 

Nehemiah, b. 1754 ; d. in Line. 1840. He m. Polly Hoar — was a 
soldier of the Revolution. 

Abiel, b. ; in. Dec. 16, 1788, Polly Merriam, of Lex. and d. 1817. 

Hannah, bap. April 10, 1757 ; d. 1785. 

Abigail, b. ; d. young. 31 Sarah, bap. Aug. 1, 1762. 

Abigail, bap. July 21, 1765. 33 Asa, bap. Feb. 28, 1768. 

Mary, bap. Jan. 31, 1773; m. Amaziah Fawcett. 



Joseph Abbot, m. April 30, 1778, Ruth Buckman of Lex. He 
resided in Line, where he had a family of children, several of whom 
were bap. in Lex. He subsequently moved to Sidney, Me. 



Elizabeth, bap. Feb. 7, 1779. 
William, bap. June 11, 1786. 
Josejih, bap. April 24, 1790. 
Abigail, bap. Oct. 18, 1795. 



36 John, bap. Jan. 22, 1783. 
38 Samuel, bap. Nov. 23, 1788. 
40 Sarah, bap. April 28, 1793. 
42 Mary, bap. Feb. 1, 1801. 



THE ADAMS FAMILY. 

George Adams, a glover, and his wife Frances, settled in Wat. 
1645. On the 4th of Nov. 1664, he sold to John Chenery his house 
and land in Wat. and moved to Camb. Farms, now Lex. probably 
about the time of this sale. The birth of only two of his children is 
recorded ; though he had five or six at least. 

John, b. April 6, 1645 ; d. young. 

i George, h. 1647 ; d. Jan. 27, 1732, aged 85. 

Daniel, b. . Executor of his father's will. 

John, b. Mar. 6, 1657. 

Mary, bap. and o. c. Nov. 21, 1686, in Wat. 



George Adams, m. Jan. 20, 1684, Martha Fiske, dau. of John 
and Sarah (Wyeth) Fiske, of Camb. Farms. She was bap. in Wat. 
Nov. 21, 1686, and he was bap. and o. c. June 19, 1698. Both 
George Adams, and George Adams, Jr., were taxed in Camb. Farms 
in 1693, for the minister's salary, and for the purchase of the land 
which laid the foundation of the Ministerial Fund. He was an 
assessor in 1702 ; constable in 1715. 

\ George, born Ap. 28, 1685. He was bap. in Wat. 
Martha, b. June 10, 1686 ; bap. in Wat. the May following. 
\John, b. Sept. 6, 1688 ; m. Mary Flagg, of Wat. Oct. 27, 1714. 
Nathaniel, bap. June 12, 1698. Supposed to be the Nathaniel of 

Grafton, who m. Nov. 20, 1738, Eunice Stearns, of Waltham. 
Sarah, bap. June 12, 1698. 
\Bei\jamin, b. Dec. 20, 1701 ; m. Eunice . 



3-7- 



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14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
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22 



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GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 7 

George Adams m. about 1705, Judith . He was a physician 

and resided in Lex. till about 1720, when he removed to W'altham' 
where he d. Feb. 8, 1767, aged 82. 

Lydia, b. July 9, 1706 ; m. Oct. 13, 1731, Caleb Pond, of Dedham. 
Jonas, b. Jan. 6, 1708; d. June following. 

Judith, b. Sept. 15, 1709 ; m. Boyden. 

Elizabeth, h. July 8, 1712 ; ui. Feb. 26, 1744, Robert Baker, of Con. 
Hannah, b. Feb. 9, 1715 ; m. Dec. 4, 1734, Barachias Lewis, of Rox! 
Seth, b. March 25, 1717 ; d. 1730. 

Josiah, b. June 13, 1719; m. Grace Hagcr; had children in Weston. 
Deborah, b. June 13; d. June 16, 1719; a twin with Josiah. 
Abigail, b. in Walt. May 6, 1721 ; d. May 26, 1740. 
Daniel, b. in Walt. May 2, 1724; m. Nov. 22, 1743, and had Eliza- 
beth, Jonas, and Seth. 

John Adams m. Oct. 27, 1714, Mary Flagg. He was probably 
the John Adams who ni. Nov. 24, 1743, Mary Sanderson, of Walt. 
He was chosen to the dignified office of hog-reeve in 1715, showing 
that he was an inhabitant at that time, and that he had recently 
assumed another important relation. His last wife d. July 21, 1786, 
aged 95. 

Mephiboshcth, h. July 4, 1715 ; m. May 2, 1734, Jane Derby. 

John, b. Feb. 22, 1717 ; probably settled in Line, where he m. Eliza- 
beth , and had a family of 11 children. He d. 1774. 

3ficah, b. Aug. 14, 1718; d. Aug. 23, 1747. 

Mary, b. Feb. 27, 1722. 

Abigail, b. June 3, 1723. 

Prudence, b. April 1, 1727. 

\Samj)son, b. Aug. 25, 1730; d. Aug. 26, 1785. 

\George, h. May 17, 1733; m. July 18, 1758, Abigail Prentice, of 
Newton. 

Susanna, b. March 21, 1735. 

Lucy, b. Dec. 27, 1738. 33 Jane, b. June 3, 1740. 



Benjamin Adams m. Eunice . Their first two children were 

bap. in Walt. He and his wife were ad. to the ch. iu Lex. Sept. 
26, 1736. 

\Be7ija7nin, b. Feb. 5, 1727 ; d. Oct. 27, 1790, aged 64. 

Micajah, b. Feb. 11, 1728. 36 Eunice, bap. June 3, 1731. 

Israel, b. June 2, 1732. 88 Simon, b. Oct. 15, 1734. 

Ebenezer, h. July 25, 1736; d. young. 

Nathaniel, b. Oct. 5, 1738 ; d. Dec. 17, 1738. 

Ebenezer, b. May 23, 1740. 42 Abraham, b. Aug. 24, 1742. 

Solomon, b. April 6, 1744. 

Martha, b. Nov. 2, 1746 ; d. May 7, 1747. 

Mary, b. Nov. 25, 1748. 



Sampson Adams m. Mary , and had Anna, b. Nov. 20, 1775. 

His wife d., and he m. Nov. 11, 1779, Katharine Bacon, of Wo. 
They had Zedekiah, bap. Oct. 3, 1784. Sampson Adams d. Aug. 26, 
1785. She d. April 25, 1829, aged 84. His family record is imper- 
fect. He had a son Thomas in the Revolution. 



George Adams m. July 18, 1758, Abigail Prentice, of Newton. 
She d. Jan. 2, 1760, leaving two children; and he m. March 18, 
1762, Elizabeth Crosby. He d. Feb. 8, 1814, aged 84 years. 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



30-46 
48 
49 
50 
/)2 
53 
54 
56 

12-34- 



Ahigail, b. Jan. 3, 1759. 47 Anna, b. Dec. 24, 1760. 

Elizabeth, b. Feb. 15, 1763. 

Oeorge, b. Sept. 25, 1764 ; d. Dec. 10, 1764. 

Samuel, b. Feb. 12, 1766, 51 Eunice, b. Aug. 21, 1767. 

Oeorge, b. Oct. 2, 1769; d. March 31, 1793. 

Rebecca, b. Dec. 13, 1771; d. Dec. 1772. 

Micah, b. April 9, 1774. 55 Phinehas, b. Oct. 11, 1776. 

Stephen, b. Dec. 9, 1778. 



Benjamin Adams m. . He d, Oct. 27, 1790. The only 

record is a baptismal one, which reads as follows: " Oct. 30, 1791, 
bap. Benjamin Adams, Eliphalet Adams, and Nathaniel Adams, — 
children of Benjamin Adams, deceased." 



There have been other Adamses in town : Samuel Adams, b. in 
West Camb. Sept. 28, 1790 ; m. May 22, 1822, Ann Whittemore. 
He came to Lex. 1827. He d. Sept. 16, 1866; she d. May, 1862. 
They had four children : Annas, b. June 5, 1823 ; m. April 2, 1867, 
John Beals; W. Frank, b. April 16, 1829; m. Emma C. Balles, of 
N. Jersey; Robinson, b. Nov. 24, 1832; went to N. Y. ; d. 1866; 
Georgia, b. June 6, 1839; m. May 10, 1857, Albert Griffith, of W. 
Camb. She d. May, 1859. 



ALLEN OR ALLINE. 

In 1783, on the 24th of March, Ezekiel Allen, of Lex., and Sarah 
Abbot, of Line, were united in marriage. Ezekiel Allen was taxed 
in Lex. from 1778 to 1783, when his name disappears. Phinehas 
Allen was taxed in town as a resident in 1783. Ezekiel Allen, or 
Alline, as the name is sometimes spelt, was in the first eight months' 
service of the Revolution from Lex. in 1775. 



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3 
4 
6 



1- 2 
3 



Galen Allen, b. Aug. 19, 1802, Acworth, N. H. Was a son of 
Galen Allen, formerly of Bridgewater, Mass. He came to Lex. a 
single man about 1835, and m. April 4, 1839, Lavinia Munroe, dau. 
of John Munroe, b. Oct. 16, 1823. He d. June 29,, 1864, and she 
d. April 22, 1865. He filled the office of selectman for several years. 

Harriet A., b. Jan. 7, 1840; m. April 17, 1856, John D. Bacon; 

and d. March 22, 1865. 
Annette A., b. June 8, 1842 ; m. March 23, 1862, Abraham B. Smith. 
John 0., h. Jan. 31, 1845. 5 Lavinia M., b. July 14, 1848. 

Jonas ilf., b. Jan. 22, 1854, 



THE ANGIER FAMILY. 

John Angier, of Maiden, m. March 2, 1794, Mary Simonds, of 
Lex., dau. of John and Mary (Tufts) Simonds. He must have 
established himself in town immediately after his marriage, for his 
name appears soon after upon the tax bills. He resided on Burling- 
ton Street, near what was called Bull Hill Meadow. 

John, b. March, 1794. He was in the war of 1812 and in the Mexi- 
can war ; went to Wis. 

Daniel, b. Aug. 24, 1796 ; m. June 15, 1823, Sally Davis, of Con. 
Chil. : Marshall, b. Oct. 26, 1823; Charles D., li. Jan. 26, 1825; 
Rufus H., b. July 8, 1828; Sarah L. H., b. Aug. 31, 1830; Har- 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 9 

riet M., b. Aug. 5, 1832; Eustis, b. Sept. 10, 1834; M W b 
Oct. 3, 1838; Cyrus L., b. May 3. 1845. 

Abigail, b. Feb. 11, 1798; lu. Nov. 3, 1821, Samuel C. Slmonds, of 
Burlington. 

Amos, h. Dec, 27, 1802; m. Nov. 3, 1828, Esther R. AVinn, of 
Salem, dau. of Benjamin and Susan (Estabrook) Winn, formerly 
of Bur. Chil. : Amos M., b. Feb. 28, 1831; m. May 31, 1857, 
Sarah F. Blalsdell, of Charlestown ; Lucius B., b. May 14, 1833. 
He served in Mass. Vols, in the late rebellion ; Louisa, b. Sept. 
27, 1835 ; Henry A., b. Apr. 30, 1838. He was in the first three 
months' vols., was wounded and taken prisoner at the first Bull 
Run battle, and confined at Richmond. He is married, and resides 
at Somerville ; Everett M., b. Dec. 1841. 



ARMS. — RiCHAUD Arms, sometimes spelled Orms, was ad. to the 
ch. in Lex. Apr. 10, 1709. He m. Oct. 28, 1714, Sarah Carley, of 
Lex. No record of children. Rev Mr. Hancock made the following 
entry in the ch. record. Mar. 24, 1752 : " Baptized Sarah Arms at her 
house, she being above eighty years old, and confined ; I preached 
there at the same time." She d. July 8, 17(30, aged 88. He d. Apr. 
26, 1736. He was constable in 1728, and committee to provide for 
the schools in 1733, and subsequently. He was a shoemaker by 
trade, and resided on the hill west of the residence of the late Col. 
Merriam. The names of Arms and Carley have long since become 
extinct in Lex. 



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3 
4 

6 



THE BABCOCK FAMILY. 

Leonard Gardner Babcock, b. May 28, 1841 ; m. Dec. 25, 
1864, Frances C. Chalmers, of Galesburg, 111. He is son of Dr. 
Aaron G. and Anna (Blashfield) Babcock, of Princeton, Mass., who 
was a descendant of Malachi Babcock, of Sherburn. At the break- 
ing out of the Rebellion, being at St. Louis, he entered the 11th 111. 
Reo-. for three years. He was in several battles, and at Fort Donel- 
son received six wounds, several of them very severe. He came to 
Lex. where he had relatives, in May, 1866. In Apr. 1867, he was 
appointed Postmaster. He has one child, Frederick G., b. Nov. 1, 
1865. 



THE BACON FAMILY. 

Nathaniel Bacon and his wife Abigail were in Lex. in 1729, 
when we find the birth of one of their children. He^ d. Oct. 19, 
1773, at^ed 74. His wife survived him many years. The record of 
their family is meagre. 

Abigail, b. Sept. 20, 1729. .,. t^ , • -r^ • t, ^ 

Jacob, b. Mar. 14, 1738; m. Feb. 13, 1/76, Katharine Davis, Bed. 
Oliver, b. Ap. 14, 1740; m. Dec. 6, 1770, Sarah Reed. 
Buth, b. June 23, 1746 ; m. Apr. 30, 1771, James Gleason. 

Jacob and Oliver must have left town about the time of their mar- 
riages, as their names disappear from the tax bills the years following. 



There has recently been another family of this name in town— 
JohnB. Bacon, son of George, of Bil. b. Sept. 14, 1832, came to 
Lex 1854, and m. Apr. 17, 1856, Harriet A. Allen, dau. of Galen 
yiea She died Mar. 22, 18G5, and he m. June 20, 1867, Hattie L. 



10 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



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4 
6 

7 
8 



Grant, of Acworth, N. H. He had Carrie A., b. May 14, 1857; 
George H. b. Dec. 30, 1860, d. Mar. 1861 ; Annette A., b. Apr. 6, 
1862, d. May, 1865. 



THE BAILY FAMILY. 

James Baily, b. in Greenfield, N. H. Jan. 6, 1792 ; m. Sept. 27, 
1818, Abigail Simonds, dau. of David, of Lex. He died Sept. 9, 
1865. She d. Aug. 9, 1853. 

LydiaArm, b. Feb. 17, 1820; m. Apr. 30, 1837, Charles Hutchin- 
son. They have three children, Abigail Angeline, m. 1862, Henry 
Capell ; Lydia Ann Addia, m. 1867, R. L. Woodbury; Elvira 
Augusta, m. 1864, Charles A. Grover. 

James B., h. Oct. 23, 1822, m. Nov. 17, 1855, Rachel E. Marston. 

Frederick P., b. June 29, 1824 ; m. Nov. 1851, Dorcas Ann Skelton. 

Chelhis B., b. Oct. 23, 1828; ra. Apr. 19, 1855, Ellen E. Hartwell, 
of Lin. They have George H., Nellie L., and Estella A. 

Edward B., b. June 28, 1833 ; m. June 28, 1860, Sophia L. Gould, 
of Lex. dau. of Thomas Gould. 

Nathaniel, b. Feb. 29, 1836. 



THE BATE FAMILY. 

Bexjamin Bate and his wife Mary were ad. to the ch. in Lex. 
Oct. 31, 1703, " by a letter of dismission from the church of Christ 
at Hingham." May 27, 1716, Benjamin Bate confessed to the ch. 
that '* through the temptations of the Devill and his own corrupt 
heart, he had been led into many sins, particularly Sabbath breaking, 
which is a leading sin to other hainous sins ; therefore, being easily 
taken by the Devill at his will, fell into the sin of killing John Law- 
rence's cow y"^ night before y" last, leaving y** ax sticking in its 
body." — A solemn warning surely to resist the ' Devill,' and avoid 
Sabbath breaking. 



3 Lydia, d. Oct. 24, 1703. 

5 Benjamin, bap. Jan. 17, 1716. 



Solomon, bap. Dec. 10, 1702. 

John, bap. Oct. 7, 1705 ; d. young 

John, bap. Dec. 3, 1717. 

Mary, bap. July 20, 1719, d. 1723. 8 Joseph, bap. July 2, 1721. 

Charity, bap. Jan. 20, 1722 ; d. Jan. 29, 1723. 



THE BARRETT FAMILY. 

Humphrey Barrett came from Eng. and settled in Con. 1640. 
He d. 1662, and his wife d. 1663. They had 4 sons, one of whom, 
Thomas, was drowned in Con. River. Oliver Barrett, a grandson of 
the emigrant, m. Oct. 24, 1754, Anna Fiske, dau. of Ebenezer and 
Grace (Harrington) Fiske, of Lex. and settled in Chelmsford. 
About 1770, he moved to Westford, and afterwards entered the army, 
and d. at Albany, leaving 7 children. One of their sons, viz. Benja- 
min Barrett, b. Jan. 16, 1770, m. Betsey Gerrish, dau. of Samuel 
Gerrish, of Westminster. He d. in Springfield, N. Y., to which 
place he had removed, Oct. 21, 1844. He had 11 children, of whom 
4 received a collegiate education, and 3 of them were clergymen. 
The late Samuel Barrett, D. D., of Boston, was one of them. 

Rev. FisKE^ Barrett, son of Benjamin, was b. in Springfield, 
N. Y., Mar. 1, 1816; grad. at Union College, 1842. After being 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



11 



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Principal of Hallowell Academy, Me., he entered the mini«try, and 
was settled in Lex. Sept. 184D. In 1852, he was dismissed at his 
own request, and has subsequently been settled in Scituate and 
Stoneham. He m. June 8, 1853, Ann E. T. Henchman, dau. of 
David Henchman, of Boston. She is not living. 



THE BEALS FAMILY. 

John Beals was b. in Salem, Jan. 20, 1801, where his father 
resided. His mother was a Bacon from Bedford. He came early to 
Lex. to reside with his grandmother Bacon, and in 1825 m. Mary S. 
Brown, dau. of John 1). Brown. She d. Apr. 4, 18G5, and he m. 
Apr. 2. 1867, Eleanor Adams, dau. of Samuel Adams. He had one 
cliild, George, b. May 13, 1827 ; d. Mar. 10, 1828. 



THE BENNETT FAMILY. 

11, 1719, Anna Blanchard. 



Moses Bennett, of Groton, m. Au 
They had the following children. 



Abigail, b. Aug. 31, 1720. 
Moses, b. Aug. 15, 1726. 
Eunice, b. Mar. 27, 1731. 
\Janies, b. Dec. 5, 1736. 



3 Stephen, b. Oct. 16, 1723. 
5 David, b. May 15, 1729. 
7 Jonathan, b May 17, 1733. 
9 Anna, b. Nov. 8, 1739. 



James Bennett, of Groton, m. , and had 7 children. 

His wife d. and he m. Dec. 14, 1784, Olive Shattuck, dau. of John 
and Elizabeth Shattuck ; she was b. Jan. 27, 1753, and hence was 
17 years younger than her husband. He settled in the northwest 
corner of Ashby, near Watatick Mountain, adjoining tlie bounds of 
Ashburnham and New Ipswich. He d. Aug. 9, 1808, aged 71 years, 
4 mo. and 4 days. He was in the army of the Revolution. In 1775, 
he was stationed at Lechmere's Point, East Cambridge, and was in 
the battle of Bunker Hill ; he was in other battles, and had the 
command of a company. His wid. ra. Jan. 25, 1816, Nehemiah 
Hardy, of HoUis, N. H. Capt. Bennett had by his 2d wife the 
following children. 

Eliah, b. Jan. 13, 1789 ; d. in Pepperell of a fever, May 4, 1815, on 

the day appointed for his marriage, aged 20. 
\James Harvey, b. Nov. 22, 1791 ; m. Winifred Knowles. 
Sarah, b. Aug. 7, 1795 ; m. in Boston, 1816, Williams Wright, b. 

in Pepperell, Apr. 6, 1788. He had been a merchant in Boston. 

They had six children. 



James H. Bennett m. Oct. 22, 1820, Winifred Knowles, b. in 
Truro, June 21, 1800. He commenced business in Boston in 1822, 
and continued his residence there till 1845, when he came to Lex. 
and soon after closed his business in the city. He was in the West 
India goods trade. After he closed his business in Boston, he 
opened a store in Lex. where he traded several years. 

James Knowles, b. July 20, 1821; m. Martha Stimpson, Jan. 2, 
1853. 

Mary Winifred, b. Apr. 22, 1823 ; m. Apr. 26, 1843, Peter Mcln tire, 
a merchant in Boston. 

Charles Hawes, b. Mar. 23, 1836; m. Mar. 27, 1862, M. E. Ken- 
dall. He d. July 8, 1861. He was in trade in Lexington. 



12 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



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3 
4 

1-2- 



2- 5 
6 



THE BLANCHARD FAMILY. 

George Blanchard was early in Lex. and m. about 1707, Sarah 
Munroe, dau. of the original emigrant. They were ad. to the ch. 
Jan. 18, 1708, when their first child was bap. There seem to have 
been others of the same name, as Lydia, Nathaniel, Mary, and Wil- 
liam were bap. about the same time. They may have resided in 
Wo.— At a later da)', Elhanan Blanchard and his wife Betsey E., 
had Betsey, b. Sept. 2, 1809 ; Mary Ann, b. Nov. 8, 1811 ; John W., 
b. Dec. 2,' 1813; Alanson, b. June 2, 1816; James P., b. Dec. 13, 
1821, d. young; James P., b. Dec. 20, 1824; George W., b. Feb. 
27, 1828. 



THE BLASDEL FAMILY. 

The Lex. records giving no information of the family, our record 
is necessarily brief and imperfect. Abner Blasdel, of Portsmouth, 
N. H., m. Judith Powers, and had five children. She is now resid- 
ing in Lex. in her 78th year, with her dau. Sarah Adelaide, who was 
b. Dec. 27, 1825, and m. Feb. 7, 1847, George N. Dexter. They 
have been in Lex. several years. 

John C. Blasdel, the oldest son of Abner and Judith, was b. 
1809, and ra, Joanna Chase Perkins, of Gardiner, Me. They re- 
sided in Boston several years, when he moved to Lex. about 1851. 
He purchased the mansion house, built by Capt. Daniel Chandler, 
which he has adorned and improved. He was chosen in Nov., 1867, 
to represent the District in the Legislature. They have no children. 



There is another family of the same name, viz. Ebenezer Blas- 
del, but the absence of a record compels us to omit an account of 
them. 



THE BLINN FAMILY. 

James Blinn m. a Miss Gilmore, of Woolwich, Me., by whom 
he had a family of ten children. James, one of his sons, m. Abigail 
De Lans, of Plymouth, Mass. They had a large family of children. 

Richard D. Blinn, one of their sons, m. Harriet Gragg. They 
resided in Wiscasset, Me. He followed the sea, and was master of 
a vessel. 

5 \Richard D., b. July 31, 1832, m. Charlotte Piper. 
) William H., b. July 31, 1832. 
Jolm F., b. July 10, 1834. 



Richard D. Blinn, m. Apr. 26, 1855, Charlotte Piper, of Bed. 
He came to Lex. from Bed. in 1852, and went upon the railroad as 
brakeman or baggage master. In about two years he was promoted 
to the place of conductor. He has been for the last two or three 
years president of the road. 

Harriet E., b. Feb. 20, 1857. 
Helen Josephine, b. Apr. 4, 1861. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



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THE BLODGETT FAMILY. 

Thomas Blodgett, the ancestor of the greater part of the Lex. 
Blodgetts, was from Wo. He was a son of Samuel Blodgett, and 
was b. ir>GO. He ra. Nov. 11, 1684, Rebecca Tidd, dauTof John 
and Rebecca Tidd, then of Wo., but afterwards of Lex. A portion 
of their children were b. in Wo. and the remainder in Lex. I\lr. 
Blodgett was a subscriber to the meeting house in the Precinct in 
1692, but does not appear to have been a taxable inhabitant till 
1694. He and his wife were ad. to the ch. in Lex. Mar. 5, 1699, by 
a letter of dismission from the Wo. ch. Mr. Blodgett, or Capt. 
Blodgett as he is generally designated, became a useful and promi- 
nent man in the town. He was an assessor in 1710, and after the 
town was incorporated, he filled almost every place of honor and 
trust. In 1714, he was chosen one of the selectmen — an oihce 
to which he was often re-elected. He also represented the town in 
the General Court. He resided on Adams street, near its intersec- 
tion with North street. He d. Sept. 29, 1740, aged 80. She d. 
July 3, 1716. 

\T1iomas, b. in Wo. Aug. 5, 1686 ; m. Mary . 

Rebecca, b. in Wo. June 6, 1689. 

\Joseph, h. ; m. Nov. 5, 1719, Sarah Stone, of Con. 

Abigail, bap. in Lex. Nov. 13, 1698. 

\Sai)iuel, bap. in Lex. June 17, 1702 ; m. Mary Russell. 



Thomas Blodgett, m. Mary — 
Lex. Feb. 18, 1728, with 22 others 
Mar. 1, 1771. He resided with or near his father. 



— . She was ad. to the ch. in 
She died about 1753, He d. 



Eebecca, b. Feb. 15, 1716. 

]Thomas, b. Apr. 29, 1717; m. Charity Raymond. 

Ebenezer, b. Mar. 4, 1721. He was in the French war, 1760. 

\Amos, b. July 1, 1723. 

\Phinehus, b. Mar. 8, 1726 ; m. Joanna Locke. 

j Jonathan, b. June 28, 1729. 



Joseph Blodgett, m. Nov. 6, 1719, Sarah Stone, of Con. She 
was ad. to the ch. June 9, 1728. He d. Jan. 7, 1731. 



Joseph, b. Ap. 7, 1721. 
Ajma, b. Ap. 10, 1724. 
Ridh, bap. Mar. 10, 1728. 



14 Sarah, b. Nov. 12, 1722. 
16 Abigail, b. July 24, 1726. 



Samuel Blodgett, m. June 26, 1726, Mary Russell, dau. of 
James and Mary Russell, b. Jan. 1, 1706. He d. Jan. 23, 1773, 
aged 71. 

Samuel, b. Ap. 30, 1727. 

\Simeon, b. June 5, 1730; m, Susan Skilton. 

Jose2)h, b. Feb. 10, 1732; d. Jan. 7, 1733. 

Mary, b. June 20, 1733 ; m. Jonathan Perry. 

Euth. b. Aug. 29, 1735 ; m. Oct. 25, 1759, Henry Harrington. 

\Josiah, b. Dec. 28, 1737; m. Ap. 24, 1760, Jane Thorn. 

\Timothy, b. Aug. 7, 1740; m. Millicent 

\Isaac, b. Feb. 1, 1744; m. Ap. 20, 1769, Mary Locke. 



Thomas Blodgett, m. Charity Raymond, dau. of Jonathan and 
Charity, b. Sept. 15, 1724. He was in the French and Indian War 
60 



14 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



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27 
28 
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37 
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in the campaign of 1760, under Capt. Clapham. She d. Jan. 28, 
1771, and he m. again in 1773. He d. Feb. 4, 1800, aged 83. 

Sarah, b. Dec. 22, 1745 ; m. July 24, 1766, Levi Parker, Billerica. 
Mary, b. Ap. 5, 1747. 

\Nathan, b. July 7, 1749 ; m. Jan. 3, 1791, Deborah Robbins. 
William, h. Ap. 25, 1751 ; d. July 13, 1773. 
Abijah, b. Dec, 16, 1762. 31 Buth, h. Dec. 23, 1764. 

Aaron, b. Dec. 2, 1769 ; m. May 1, 1798, Patty Lane. They had a 
child b and d. 1799. 



Amos Blodgett, m. Margaret 



Rebecca, b. Jan. 31, 1752. 

Amos, b. Aug. 25, 1756. 

Nanne, b. Dec. 25, 1760. 

James, b. June 5, 1763 ; m. Sept. 1, 1786, Ruth Fowle, of Wo. 



34 Bette, b. June 17, 1754. 
36 Sally, b. Dec. 14, 1758. 



Phinehas Blodgett, m. Oct. 10, 1753, Joanna Locke. He was 
one of the patriotic band which marched, 1757, to the relief of Fort 
William-Henry. 



Benjamin, b. Aug. 13, 1754. 
Joseph, b. June 10, 1758. 



40 David, b. Dec. 26, 1756. 
42 Ebenezer, b. Ap. 28, 1761. 



Jonathan Blodgett, m. 
Molly, bap. Oct. 5, 1760. 



44 Thaddeus, bap. June 26, 1763. 



Simeon Blodgett, m. Dec. 24, 1761, Susan Skilton, dau. of 
Thomas and Ruth Skilton, of Wo., b. July 24, 1737. They wore 
ad. to the ch. Jan. 2, 1763. 

Simeon, b. Oct. 4, 1762. 

Joseph, b. May 22, 1764 ; m. Abigail Munroe, July 8, 1788. 
Susanna, b. Sept. 28, 1765. 48 Lydia, bap. June 12, 1768. 

Ruth, bap. Aug. 25, 1771. 50 Sarah, bap. Oct. 16, 1774. 



JosiAH Blodgett, m. Ap. 24, 1760, Jane Thorn. They o. c. 
Ap. 12, 1761. He was one of the brave men who repaired to Cauib. 
on the 17th of June, 1775, under Capt. Parker. He had been in 
the French war. 



Azubah, b. Feb. 3, 1761. 



52 Salmon, b. Ap. 21, 1766. 



Timothy Blodgett, m. Millicent 
thech, Feb. 3,1767. 



They were ad. to 



Timothy, bap. Ap. 5, 1767. 
Levi, bap. Aug. 5, 1770. 



64 Thaddeus, bap. June 12, 1768. 
56 Lucy, bap. Ap. 4, 1773. 



Isaac Blodgett, m. Ap. 20, 1769, Mary Locke. He d. July, 
1830, aged 89. He was a soldier in Capt. Parker's company on the 
19th of April, 1775. 

Polly, b. July 24, 1769. 58 Lucinda, b. Mar. 8, 1772. 

Sarah, b. Nov. 27, 1775. 

Isaac, b. Nov. 3, 1777 ; d. Nov. 28, 1815. 

Simeon, b. June 21, 1780. 

Samuel, b. Aug. 5, 1783 ; d. May 25, 1820, aged 37. 

Fatty, b. June 5, 1786 ; d. probably May 14, 1806. 



CxENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



15 



8-28- 



28-64 
C") 
66 
67 
68 
69 
70 
71 
72 

28-69- 



69-73 

74 
75 

76 



1- 2 
3 
5 
6 



1-2- 



2-10 
11 

12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 



Nathan Blodgktt, m. Severs, by whom he had one chiUl. 

She d. Nov. 30, 1790, and he m. Jan, 31, 1791, Deborah Ilobbius" 
He died Feb. 6, 1825. 

Nathan, b. before 1790; m. Ap. 25, 1805, Susanna Frost, Canib. 

Billi/, h. Dec. 8. 1791. 

Lydia, b. Ap. 27, 1793; m. Samuel Downing. 

Juhn, b. Oct. 7, 1794; went West and d, 

Aaron, b. Jan. 8, 1796 ; went West and d. 

\Peter, b. Mar. 22, 1799 ; m. Tryphena Caldwell. 

Sarah C, b. Dec. 8, 1800 ; m. Billings Smith, Nov. 19, 1820. 

Sullivan, b. Mar. 29, 1806. 

Stephen R., b. Dec. 24, 1811; d. Ap. 3, 1815. 



Peter Blopgett, m. Dec. 14, 1823, Tryphena Caldwell, dau. of 
Thomas and Anna (Merriam) Caldwell, of Wobiirn, who removed 
to Lex. about 1803. Peter Blodgett d. May 8, 1856, aged 57. 

John, b. Ap. 4, 1825; d. Aug. 24, 1825. 

Tryphena, b. Sept. 4, 1827, d. Nov. 11, 1836. 

Sarah, b. Dec. 30, 1829 ; m. Samuel Barnes, and r. in Manchester, 

N. H. 
John, b. Feb. 18, 1832; m. Mar. 2, 1856, Almira Meserve, of 

Charlestown. 77 Peter, b. June 25, 1834. 



There has been another family of Blodgetts in Lex. not traceable 
on our records, though undoubtedly of the same parent stock with 
the family above. 

James Blodgett, m. Ruth Iladley. He d. Mar. 23, 1836, aged 
73. She d. June 23, 1818, aged 59. 

There being no record of the family, the children may not be 
arranged in the order of their birth. 

\James, who m. Rhoda Winn, of Bed. 

Nancy, m. Amos Stearns. 4 Lucy, m. Benj. M. Nevers. 

Charles, m. Mary Ann Dizer ; and Eliza Smith, Mar. 29,.1831. 
Amos, m. and was drowtied at Neponset. 
Barms, m. Ann Tileston, went West and d. 

Clarissa, m. Josiah Johnson, of Wo. He d. and she m. Mar. 3, 
1818, Nath'I Bryant, of Boston. They are now residing in Lex. 
Ruth, m. Wm. Tileston. They moved to the West. 



James Blodgett, m. Rhoda Winn, of Bed. Hed. Jan. 3, 1839. 
She d. Aug. 6, 1854. They had 10 children. 

Mary Ann, b. Aug. 9, 1809 ; m. Elias Dupee, June 18, 1830. 
Clarissa, b. Feb. 17, 1811; m. Oct. 11, 1835, Joseph Butterfield, 

Bed. 
Rhoda, b. May 7, 1813 ; m. May 31, 1835, Amos Locke. 
Elizabeth, b. Ap. 30, 1815 ; m. Ap. 4, 1837, Solomon Estabrook. 
James, b. Mar. 2, 1816; m. Sarah Jackson, res. E. Cam. 
Almira, b. Mar. 30, 1821 ; m. Sidney Butters. 
\Gharles, h. Ap. 16, 1818; m. Maria Winn, of Salem. 
Elias, b. Oct. 13, 1822 ; m. Eliza Brown, r. E. Camb. 
Susan, h. May 8, 1824 ; m. Amos Richardson, of Med. 
Lucy, b. July 8, 1829. 



16 
2-16- 

16-20 
22 



1- 2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 



1-2- 



2-10 
11 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 
Charles Blodgett, m. Maria Winn, of Salem. 

Charles S., b. Sept. 10, 1848. 21 Walter, b. Sept. 19, 1850. 
Emily M., b. Dec. 10, 1854. 



THE BOND FAMILY. 

This family came originally from Wat., and are the descendants 
of William Bond, who came to this country about 1(530. He settled 
in Wat. where he m. Feb. 7, 1G49, Sarah Briscoe, by whom he had 
nine children. Thomas, their third son, b. Dec. 22, 1C54 ; m. Sept. 
30, 1680, Sarah Woolson of that town. His 3d son, John, b. July 
14, 16'J5, was by calling a tailor. He m. Sarah Mason, by whom he 
had six children. She dying, he m. Ruhamah Whittemore, wid. of 
Benjamin Whittemore, of Con. His first three children were born 
in Wat., the others in Lex., to which he had removed. In 1726, he 
bought two houses and lands, and a wood lot in Lex. for £480. 

John Bond appears to have been the first of the name within our 
borders. 

jJoslma, h. Nov. 24, 1720 ; d. Feb. 18, 1790, aged 70. 

Ezekiel, b. June 19, 1722 ; d. young. 

Sarali,h. Sept. 22, 1723; d. 1731. 

Lovice, bap. in Lex. Mar. 26, 1727. 

Elizabeth, bap. in Lex. Feb. 23, 1729 ; d. June 30, 1759. 

Mary, bap. in Lex. Dec 6, 1731 ; d. 1733. 

Lucy, b. . 

Ruhamah, b. ; d. July 25, 1746. 



Joshua Bond, m Millicent Russell, dau. of Philip and Sarah 
Russell, who was b. Dec. 29, 1720. He was a tailor by trade. He 
d. Feb. 18, 1790, and she d. Ap. 28, 1795, aged 75. There seems 
to have been a little opposition, or at least distrust, on the part of 
her father, who, though he gave her the usual outfit of that day, was 
careful to loan the articles to her, so that he could reclaim them in 
case of necessity. 

Sarah, bap. Ap. 8, 1744. 

Joshua, bap. Oct. 13, 1745. He was a saddle and harness maker, 

and had his house and shop burned by the British, Ap. 19, 1775. 

His property destroyed was valued at £190. 
Millicent, b. July 12, 1747; m. Ap. 24, 1777, Josiah Nelson, of Lin. 
Joseph, b. Jan. 8, 1749 ; d. in infancy. 
Mary, bap. July 27, 1750; d. 1763. 
John, bap. Ap. 19, 1752 ; d. Dec. 25, 1753. 

Phebe, bap. Nov. 30, 1755. 17 Joanna, bap. June 15, 1757. 

Mary, bap. Oct. 7, 1759. 19 Jose^yh, bap. May 13, 1761. 

^6eZ, bap. Oct. 19, 1762; d. 1783. 

Though this family was quite numerous, consisting of eleven chil- 
dren, by the early death or removal from town of the sons, the name 
soon disappeared. 



THE BOWMAN FAMILY. 

Nathaniel Bowman, of Watertown, was the progenitor of those 
of that name who settled at Cambridge Farms. Mr. Bowman was 
one of the early proprietors of Wat. — his name being en the records 
in 1636-7. He removed early to Cambridge Farms, and settled on 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



17 



1- 2 
3 
5 
6 



1-2- 



2- 9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
16 



2-9- 



9-16 
18 
19 
20 
21 



lands purchased of Edward Goffe, situated in the southeasterly part 
of the town, near Arlinjrtoii line. His wife, Anna, probably died 
first, as no mention is made of her in his will. He d. Jan. 21, KiH'^ 
His will bears date Oct. 21, 1G79, and was i)rove(l Apr. 4,' IG82'. 
He gives to his son Francis the farm on which he lived,— Francis 
to pay Nathaniel £25. and in case he should die without issue, it 
was to revert to the children of Francis. His real estate was in- 
ventoried as follows: House and 10 acres of land, £120; 20 acres 
of meadow, £50; 70 acres of upland unimproved, £70. His chil- 
dren, as far as known, were as follows : 

\Francis, admitted freeman, 1652. 

Mary, buried Jan. 1, 1638. 4 Joanna, buried Nov. 20, 1638. 

Dorcas, buried Feb. 6, 1639, aged 7 days. 

Nathaniel, b. Mar. 6, 1641 ; probably d. in Lex. 1694 ; was taxed 

1693, but not in 1694. 
Joanna, b. Nov. 20, 1642; probably mother of Hannah Turner, 

mentioned in her father's will as a grandchild. 
Dorcas, m. Benjamin Blackleach, and afterwards m. March. 



Francis Bowman, m. Sep. 26, 1661, Martha Sherman, b. Feb. 
21, 1641. He resided at Cambridge Farms, where he d. Dec. 16, 
1687, aged 67 years. 

\Francis, b. Sept. 14, 1662 ; d. Dec. 23, 1744. 

John, b. Feb. 19, 1665. 

Martha, b. Mar. 2, 1667; d. Dec. 1667. 

\Nathaniel, b. Feb. 9, 1G69 ; d. June 30, 1748. 

\joseph, b. May 18, 1674 ; d. Apr. 8, 17G2. 

Anna, b. Sept. 19, 1676 ; d. Sept. 26, 1700. 

Samuel, b. Aug. 14, 1679. He resided in Cambridge, where he was 

Dea. He m. first, Nov. 2, 1700, Rebecca Andrews, who d. Nov. 

18, 1713, and he m. second, Deborah . He had 14 children. 



Francis Bowman, m. first, June 26, 1684, Lydia, dau. of Dea. 
Samuel and Sarah Stone of Camb., second, Ruth, dau. of Rev. Samuel 
Angler. By a will, dated 1744, he directed his wife Ruth " to take 
as her own proper estate forever three of my negro servants, viz. 
Battiss, Philliss, and Pompy, so named. Also I give to my grand- 
daughter, Ruth Bowman, full power at my decease to take my negro 
boy Domini to be her own forever, — she paying her brother Francis 
£20 old tenor at the time of receiving Domini." He mentions in his 
will, wife Ruth, son Isaac, and dau. Mary Morse, Lydia Siinonds, and 
Sarah Russell. Francis Bowman was among the most prominent men 
in the township, filling from time to time every office in the gift of 
the people. In 1693 he was on the committee to purchase land for 
the support of the ministry, and was on the first board of selectmen 
and assessors under the town organization, to which posts he was 
frequently re-elected. He also represented the town in the General 
Court. 1720, '22, '26, '27, '32, '33. He was also one of the Royal 
Magistrates first appointed in 1720. He appears to have been much 
respected; for in "seating the meeting house" be was one of 
the three who were permitted to sit at the table ; and his wife was 
"plaste in y*' fore seatt in y*^ body of seats." 

Francis, b. about 1685. 17. Mary, b. — ; m. Morse. 

Lydia, b. ; m. Jonathan Simonds. 

\John, b. July 14, 1689 ; m. Mary Stone. 

Sarah, b. ; m. Phillip Russell. 

f/saac, b. 1693 ; d. July 18, 1785. 



18 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



2-12 



12-22 

23 
24 
25 
26 

27 

28 
29 

2-13- 



13-30 
31 
32 
33 



34 
35 



36 
37 

38 



9-19- 



Nathaniel Bowman, m. at Camb. Farms, Dec. 16, 1692, Anna 
Barnard, of Wat. She d, Sept. 15, 1757 ; and he d. June 30, 1748. 

3fari/, h. Dec. 22, 1693; m. Samuel Garfield, of Wat. 

Anne, b. Sept. 6, 1696 ; m. Nathaniel Bright. 

Elizabeth, b. Nov. 13, 1698 ; d. Feb. 25, 1748. unra. 

Abigail, b. 1700; m. Mar. 22, 1720, Matthew Bridge, of Lex. 

Nathaniel, bap. Mav 31, 1702; d. Dec. 26, 1723, leaving a wid. and 

a dau. Mary, b. Dec. 19, 1723, and d. May 24, 1727. 
Orace, bap. Oct. 1, 1704; m. Mar. 10, 1726, Nathaniel Cooledge. 
Sarah, bap. May 25, 1707; m. Feb. 3, 1731, Samuel Stearns. 
Jane, b. ; m. Jan. 21, 1734, James Brown, of Lex. 



Joseph Bowman, m. Phebe . She d. Dec. 20, 1757, and he 

d. Apr. 8, 1762, aged 88. He was one of the leading and influential 
men of the town, both in municipal and church affairs. He filled 
the office of town clerk, assessor, and selectman repeatedly. He 
was on the board of selectmen fifteen years, and a representative 
six years. He was also a justice of the peace for many years. 

Joseph, b Sept. 16, 1697. 

Hannah, b. Nov. 11, 1699 ; m. Mar. 26, 1719, Joseph Estabrook. 

James, b. Sept. 11, 1701. 

Jonathan, b. Feb. 22, 1703; grad. H. C. 1724; united with the ch. 

at Lex. 1726 ; was ordained at Dorchester, Nov. 5, 1729 ; and d. 

May 30, 1775. 
Francis, b. June 10, 1705 ; d. 1750, unm. 
Edmund, b. Mar. 5, 1709 ; grad. at H. C. 1728 ; established himself 

as a merchant at Portsmouth, N. H. 
VJhaddeus, b. Sept. 2, 1712; m. Dec. 2, 1736, Sarah Loring. 
fWilliam, b. Sept. 2, 1715; m. May 5, 1753, Mary Reed. 
Martha, b. Sept. 8, 1718; m. Apr. 27, 1738, Samuel Bridge. 



John Bowman m. Mary Stone. They were ad. to Lex. ch. June 
22, 1718. He d. Apr. 30, 1726, and she d. June 28, 1757. 



19-39 jJohn, b. Dec. 5, 1713; m. Feb. 19, 1736, Susanna. Cooledge 
40 ^Jonas, b. Feb. 3, 1717; m. Abigail Russell 



41 



42 



43 



9-21- 



21-44 

45 

13-36- 



He 



Francis, b. Apr. 2, 1718; m. June 24, 1766, Sarah Simonds. 

resided in Bedford. 
Ebenczer, b. Apr. 2, 1720; m. and moved to W. Camb., where they 

had Abigail, bap. in Lex. May 27, 1750, and a son Ebenezer, bap. 

at West Camb. 1752. 
Piuth, b. Dec. 23, 1723 ; ad. to the ch. Oct. 18, 1741. 



Isaac Bowman m. Mar. 28, 1716, Elizabeth Harrington. She d. 
June 8, 1741, and he m. Sarah Munroe, wid. of William Munroe. 
Isaac Bowman and his wife Elizabeth united with the ch. Feb. 18, 
1728. He d. July 18, 1785, in the 92d year of his age. His wife 
Sarah d. a few months before him, viz. Apr. 13, 1785. He filled 
every office in town, from field-driver to representative. He was a 
magistrate for many years. 

Elizabeth, b. July 25, 1717 ; m. Sutton, of Boston. 

^Francis, b. Nov. 26, 1752 ; m. Susanna Chamberlain. 



Thaddeus Bowman m. Dec. 2, 1736, Sarah Loring, b. about 
1715, dau. of Dea. Joseph and Lydia Loring, She d. Dec. 23, 1747. 
He m. Feb. 8, 1753, Sybil Woolson, widow of Isaac Woolson, of 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



19 



36-46 

47 

48 



49 



60 
61 



62 
63 



54 
65 

66 



Weston. Thaddeus and Sarah united with the ch. Dec. 6, 1741. 
He enjoyed the confidence of his townsmen, and was often called to" 
fill offices of honor and trust. He was also captain of a company. 

Sarah, b. Oct. 2, 1737 ; d. Oct. 3, 1742. 

Edmund, b. Au<;ust 4, 1739 ; m ALay 8, 1760, Esther Hoar, of Lino. 
She d. July 22, 1780, and he m. Eunice Mead, of Stow. 

Joseph, b. Feb. 13, 1741 ; m. Nov. 22, 1764, Catharine, dau. of Wil- 
liam and Sarah (Mason) Munroe. He soon after removed to New 
Braintree. He was an ensign of a company of fifty men from that 
small town, who marched to Boston on tlie report of the attack upon 
the company at Lex. on the lUth of April. He soon after joined the 
army, and conunanded a battalion at the Battle of Bennington, and 
the other battles which resulted in the capture of Burgoyne. INIaj. 
Bowman was not only a leading man in the town of New Braintree, 
but his family uniting the blood of the Bowmans and Munroes of Lex. 
became one of the most influential in that part of Wo-rcester County. 
His daughters intermarried with the Delanos, Woods, Fields, &c., 
in New Braintree and the neighboring towns. His son Joseph, b. 
Sept. 10, 1771, represented the town of New Braintree in the 
General Court fourteen years, between 1807 and 1839. He was a 
Senator from the County of Worcester in 1828 and 1829, and was 
a member of the Governor's Council in 1832, '33, and '34. He 
was also President of the Hampshire Manufacturer's Bank, chosen 
annually for twenty-one consecutive years. Few men retained the 
confidence of the public as long as did Hon. Joseph Bowman. 

Isaac Bowman, another son of Maj. Joseph Bowman, moved to 
Wilkesbarre, Penn., about 1795, where he soon acquired the con- 
fidence of the people, was chosen General, and promoted to other 
offices of power and trust. 

Thaddeus, b. Feb. 10, 1743 ; m. Nov. 7, 1764, Elizabeth Lawrence, 
b. Dec. 13, 1741, dau. of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Swain) Law- 
rence. He was a member of Capt. Parker's company in 1775, and 
was the messenger who brought the first reliable intelligence of the 
near and rapid approach of the British upon Lex. on the morning 
of the 19th of April, 1775. On the year following, Thaddeus and 
his wife Elizabeth were dismissed from the Lex. ch. to that of 
Winchendon, to which place they had removed. 

Solomon, b. Feb. 10, 1743, a twin of Thaddeus ; d. June 6, 1744. 

Solomon, b. June 2, 1745. He was a Lieutenant in the 25th Regi- 
ment of the army of 1775, was in the battle of Bunker Hill, and 
was killed at the battle of Monmouth, in 1778. 

Joshua, b. Jan. 22, 1747. He went to Wilkesbarre, Penn., and 
from thence to Ohio, where his descendants are still living. 

Samuel, b. Dec. 2, 1753. (Samuel and the following children were 
by Thaddeus'g second wife.) Samuel Bowman enlisted at the 
commencement of the Revolution, and became a captain in the 
Continental line, and served to the close of the war. It is said 
that he was with Maj. Andre the night before his execution, and 
commanded the guard which conducted him to the gallows. He m. 
in Philadelphia, Nov. 3, 1784, Eleanor Ledlie, whose parents were 
from Ireland. About 1789, he moved to Wilkes})arre, Penn., 
where his wife had a large estate, and where he had a family of 
children, some of whom have become quite distinguished. 

Sarah, b. July 4, 1755. 

Ebenezer, b. July 31, 1757 ; grad. H. C. 1782 ; studied law, and es- 
tablished himself at Wilkesbarre, Penn. 

Gideon, b. Sept. 30, 1759 ; d. Oct. 20, same year. 



20 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



57 
68 



13-37- 



37-59 
60 
61 
62 
63 
64 

19-39- 



39-65 
66 



19-40- 



40-72 



73 



21-45- 



45-75 
76 



Lucy, b. Jan. 21, 1761 ; m. in Walt., June 17, 1790, Rev. Richard 

R. Elliott, of that town, as his second wife. 
Sybil, b. Aug. 2, 1764; d. Dec. 2, 1765. 



William Bowman m. May 5, 1753, Mary Reed, of Lex. Previ- 
ous to his marriage he resided in Narraganset No. 2, (now West- 
minster,) in which settlement his father had an interest. He was 
dismissed from the ch. of Lex. and recommended to that of Narra- 
ganset, Sept. 26, 1742. We find in a pamphlet history of West- 
minster, published in 1832, the following well authenticated anecdote 
of William Bowman.* 

" In 1748, William Bowman, from Lexington, who had been in the 
township five or six years, and who garrisoned, if not resided, with 
Capt. Hoar, was mowing one day in the field, some distance from 
Hoards fort, when he discovered some Indians in the adjacent woods. 
They had placed themselves in such a position as to cut him off from 
his fort; and no doubt felt sure of their victim. Bowman very 
adroitly concealed his agitation, and, as though he had made no dis- 
covery, kept at work, but moving at the same time in a direction 
from the fort and his insidious foe, until he had gained the declivity 
of a hill, when he dropped his scythe, and made for Grave's fort in 
another part of the town about two miles distant, with such speed as 
to elude the grasp of his fleet-footed pursuers. Bowman soon after 
this occurrence left the place, having no desire, it would seem, to 
continue his hand with adversaries trained to every art of guile, and 
every method of cruelty and torture." 

After leaving Westminster, he returned to Lexington, and married 
as before stated. He at last moved to West Cambridge. He d. 
Oct. 12, 1793, aged 78 years. His wife d. Oct. 27, 1802, aged 76. 

Mary, b. Feb. 28, 1754 ; m. June27, 1775, Joel Viles. 
Hannah, bap. Jan. 4, 1756; m. James Walker, of Burlington. 
Phehe, bap. June 19, 1757 ; m. Feb. 22, 1781, Jonathan Bridge. 
Martha, bap. Nov. 19, 1758; m. May 8, 1788, Abraham Smith. 
Betty, bap. Oct. 28, 1759; m. William Bridge, of Walt. 
Lydia, bap. Dec. 14, 1766; m. John Davis, of Methuen, 



John Bowman m. Feb. 19, 1737, Susanna Cooledge, dau. of 
Capt. Joseph and Elizabeth (Bond) Cooledge of Wat. They owned 
the covenant in Lex. Dec. 4, 1737. He d. Apr. 21, 1760. 

The Records do not enable us to Jill out the following families. 

Susanna, b. Jan. 19, 1738 ; m. Dec. 16, 1779, Bezaleel Learned. 
Josiah, b. Mar. 21, 1740. 67 Mary, b. Aug. 1, 1742. 

Elizabeth, b. Nov. 4, 1744. 69 Btdh, bap. Oct. 5, 1746. 

Benjamin, bap. June 5, 1757 ; d. Feb. 17, 1776. 
John, bap. July 15, 1759. 



Jonas Bowman m. May 19, 1739, Abigail Russell. June 17, 
1739, he owned the covenant. 

Jonas, b. July 19, 1739; m. May 18, 1758, Susanna , of Wat., 

and had Abiathar b. Feb. 18, 1759. 
Abigail, b. Jan. 19, 1741. 74 Lydia, b. Jan. 14, 1743. 



Francis Bowman m. Aug. 11, 1788, Susanna Chamberlain. She 
d. 1855. 

Salle, b. June 7, 1789; m. June 30, 1808, Wm. Clapp, of Boston. 
Isaac, b. July 27, 1790. 77 Francis, b. Apr. 23, 1792. 



* See Hudson's History of Westminster. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



21 



l-2-\ 



THE BRADSHAW FAMILY. 

The name of Brad.sliaw is but rarely found on the Lex. records. 
Those of that name probably came from Camb. or ]\Ied. where the 
Bradshaws were somewhat numerous. 

Abraham Bradshaw, by wife Abigail, had Abigail, b. Feb. 14, 
1749 ; Jonathan, b. July 19, 1751 ; Susanna, b. Ap. 26, 1759. 



THE BRIDGE FAMILY. 

•The Bridges, who were among the earliest settlers in what now 
comprises the town of Lexington, were the descendants of Deacon 
John Bridge of Camb. He came from Essex County, England, in 
what was called Hooker's Company, and settled in Camb. in l();j2. 
Hooker and a great part of his company, as we have already seen, 
removed to Conn, and commenced the settlement of Hartford; but 
Mr. Bridge remained, and connected himself with Mr. Shepherd's 
church — of which he was for many years a leading member and 
officer. He was ad. a freeman in 16.S4. He was an influential and 
prominent man, not only in the church, but in the town and in the 
Colony. He filled almost every office of honor and profit within the 
gift of his fellow citizens. He represented them in the (Jeneral 
Court in 16;57, '38, '39, and '41, and served them as selectman 
eleven years from 1635 to lGo2. He was also often employed by 
the General Court to lay out lands, serve on committees, and per- 
form other important duties. He was a large landholder, not only 
in Camb. but in other parts of the Colony. He was one of the first 
to whom lands were granted at the *' Farms," as this part of Camb. 
was then called. As early as 1643, he had a lot granted him on 
Vine Brook in Lex. and this lot was described as bounding upon 
his other and earlier improved lands. 

He had a daughter Sarah, b. Feb. 16, 1649, who probably died 
in early infancy. His son Thomas d. 1656 The inventory of 
his estate was dated Dec. 1, 1656, and was returned by his father 
Jan. 10, 1657. Thomas left a widow, Dorcas, and a daughter of 
the same name. His wid. m. Jan. 3, 1666, Daniel Champney, of 
Camb. The will of John Bridge, proved Oct. 3, 1665, mentions 
his wife Elizabeth, his son Matthew, daughter-in-law Dorcas, and 
sister Betts. His wife, it is said, had previously been the wife of 
Roger Bancroft, and of Martin Saunders ; and after the decease of 
Dea. Bridge, she had a fourth husband, Edward Taylor, of Boston. 
She was living in 1683. 

There can be no question but that the Bridges of Lex. may with 
certainty trace their pedigree to 

Dea. John Bridge, of Cambridge, who d. Apr. 1665. 



Matthew Bridge, son of John Bridge, was a lad when he came 
to this country. In 1643, eleven years after he came to the Colony, 
he was a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Co. 
About the same time, viz. 1643 or 4, he m. Anna Dan forth, dau. 
of Nicholas Danforth, formerly of Framingham, Suffolk, England. 
He d. Apr. 28, 1700 ; and she survived him about four years, and d. 
Dec. 2, 1704. We have no means of knowing the exact time when 
Matthew Bridge took up his abode at Cambridge Farms ; but as his 
father owned lands on Vine Brook, within the territory, and these 
lands were cultivated, so far at least as to cut the grass, as early as 
1643, it is probable that he removed to the place soon after. He 
was in the place at the organization of the Parish in 169L', and had 
61 



22 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



2- 3 
4 
6 
6 

7 



2-6- 



6-10 
11 
12 
13 



6-12- 



12-19 
20 
21 

22 



previously subscribed towards the erection of a meeting-house. He 
was a large landholder ; and in the first parish tax in 1693, he stood 
higher on the list than any other man except Samuel Stone, Sen. 
William Munroe, Sen. and Benjamin Muzzy. Though quite ad- 
vanced in life, he was appointed on a committee to wait upon Mr. 
Hancock, and make the necessary arrangements for his ordination 
in 1698. As a mark of distinction, he was seated at the table in 
the meeting-house by the order of the Parish. 

Join, b. Mar. 16, 1644. 

Anna, b. , m. June 4, 1668, Samuel Livermore of Wat. 

Martha, b. June 19, 1648 ; d. Jan. 15, 1650. 

\MaUhew, b May 5, 1650 ; d. May 29, 1738, aged 88. 

Samuel, b. Feb. 17, 1654; died Feb. 25, 1692. 

Thomas, b. June 1, 1656; d. Mar. 28, 1673. 

Elizabeth, b. Aug. 17, 1659 ; m. June 19, 1678, Capt. Benjamin 

Garfield of Wat. He d. Nov. 28, 1717, and she m. Oct. 25, 1720, 

Samuel Harrington. 



Matthew Bridge ra. 1687, Abigail Russell, dau. of Joseph and 
Mary Russell of Camb. who d. Dec. 14, 1722, aged 55. His will, 
dated and proved in 1738, mentions sons Matthew, John and Sam- 
uel, and daughters, Abigail Whitney, Elizabeth and Martha. He 
was either b. in Camb. Farms, or came here in early infancy. He 
was a soldier in the Narragansett war, and served in the ill-fated 
Canada expedition from July to Nov. 21, 1690. He was a subscri- 
ber for the first meeting-house in Lex. 1692, and was clerk of the 
precinct eight or ten consecutive years. He enjoyed in a great 
degree the confidence of his townsmen, who conferred upon him 
with a liberal hand their temporary honors. He was chosen, at their 
first organization as a town, first selectman, treasurer, and clerk 
— to which offices he was reelected on the following year. He 
served many years as Treasurer, and filled almost every town office 
from time to time. He was also a prominent member of the church 
to which he was admitted Dec. 7, 1718. 

Mary, b. June 19, 1688; m. Capt. William Russell, of Camb. 

Anna, b. Sept. 12, 1691 ; m. Isaac AV^atson, of Camb. 

\Matthew, b. Mar. 1, 1694; d. Mar. 25, 1761, in Walt. 

Abigail, b. Apr. 1, 1696; m. Benjamin Whitney, then of Marlbo- 
rough, but afterwards of Boston, about 1730. She was his second 
wife, and had five children, — making in all fourteen children b. to 
Benjamin Whitney. She d. Aug. 1, 1767. 

'^Joseph, b. July 8, 1698; m. Nov. 18, 1722, Abigail Cutler. -"■' 

\John, b. Sept. 1, 1700; d. Mar. 8, 1776, aged 76 years. 

Elizabeth, b. Nov. 30, 1703 ; d. Nov. 24, 1751, unm. 

\Samuel, b. May 2, 1705; d. June 8, 1791, aged 86. 

Martha, b. Sept. 20, 1707 ; d. Ap. 20, 1752, aged 44, unm. 



Matthew Bridge m. Mar. 22, 1719, Abigail Bowman. He 
resided in Lex. till 1748, when he moved with his family to Walt., 
to the ch. of which place he and his wife, together with Nathaniel and 
Sarah Bridge, were dismissed from the ch. of Lex. Like his father, 
he filled the office of selectman, town clerk, treasurer, and assessor 
before leaving his native place. She d. Dec. 13, 1797, aged 92. 

\Matthew, b. July 18, 1721 ; graZll C. 1741. 

Anna, b. Sept. 21, 1723; m. Brooks. 

Nathaniel, b. July 8, 1725 ; d. Dec. 19, 1794. 
Sarah, b. Sept. 30, 1728 m. Pierce. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



23 



6-14- 



14-23 



24 

25 

26 

27 

28 



6-15- 



15-29 
30 
31 
32 
33 



34 



6-17- 



17-35 
36 



JosKrn BiuDGK m. first, Nov. 18, 1722, Abigail Cutler, and, 
second, about 1730, Mary . He d. Nov. 11, 1778, aged 79.' 

Thomas, b. July 8, 1723; went to Spencer and m. 1745, Mary Har- 
rington, of Brookfield. He removed to Sliutosbury in 1771, and 
was living there in 1795. He had a family of eight children be- 
tween 1745 and 1764. 

Abigail, b. Sept. 28, 1726 ; m. Mar. 26, 1750, Jacob Fox. 

Benjamin, b. Nov. 15, 1728; by his wife Anna he had Benjamin, 
who d. June 4, 1758. 

\Joseph, b. May 9, 1731 ; d. Sept. 11, 1775, aged 45. 

Jeremiah, b. Dec. 28, 1734 ; be was a soldier at Lake George. 

Millicent, b. Apr. 16, 1738 ; d. July 24, 1753. 



John Bridge m. June 4, 1730, Anna Herrick, of Wenham, who 
d. in childbed, Dec. 14, 1730, aged 22, and he m. Sarah Tidd, dau. 
of Joseph and Mary, who d. Mar. 14, 1754, aged 42 ; and he ra. 
Oct. 14, 1756, Mary Porter, of Wo., for his third wife. He was 
selectman in 1746 and 1756. 

Anna, b. Dec. 7, 1730; d. in early infancy. 

Mary, b. Apr. 9, 1733 ; m. Apr. 22, 1754, Isaac Reed. 

Sarah, b. Dec. 21, 1735; m. Apr. 11, 1754, Oliver Keed. 

\John, b. Dec. 17, 1737 ; he was twice married. 

Josiah, b. Dec. 28, 1739; grad. H. C. 1758; ordained as a clergy- 
man at East Sudbury (now Wayland) Nov. 4, 1761. He d. June 
21, 1801. He was quite distinguished in his profession. He 
preached an election sermon. He m. Martha, dau. of llev. Aaron 
Smith, of Marlborough, and had a fitmily of six children. His 
youngest son, Josiah, m. Eunice Morse and moved to Lancaster, 
where he had, among other children, William F., who was b. Feb. 
15, 1821, grad. H. C. 1846, studied theology, and was settled in 
East Lex. 1849. It is a remarkable fact that though Rev. William 
F. Bridge came to Lex. a stranger, he, through the line of his 
ancestors, had been only one generation from the town. 

Ebenezer, b. Feb. 3, 1742 ; grad. H. C. 1756 ; d. 1814. He m. in 
Framingham Nov. 3, 1763, Mehitabel Wood. 



Samuel Buidge m. Susanna Reed, who d. in childbed Jan. 16, 
1735, aged 24 years, and he m. Apr. 27, 1738, Martha Bowman, 
dau. of Joseph and Phebe. She d. June 10, 1793, aged 76, and ho 
d. June 8, 1791, aged 86. Samuel Bridge appears to have been 
very unfortunate in his family, losing a large number of his children 
in their infancy. 

Samuel, h. Jan. 6, 1735. 

Edmund, b. Aug. 8, 1739; m. Sept. 6, 1764, Phebe Bowman. He 
united with the ch. in Lex. in 1764. He moved to Pownalborough, 
Me., afterwards called Dresden, to the ch. of which he and his wife 
were dismissed from Lex. June 26, 1801. He was appointed by Gov. 
Hancock sheriff of Lincoln co., an office which he held about thirty 
years. He d. Sept. 10, 1826, aged 87. He had several sons, who 
were quite distinguished. His oldest son, James, was grad. H. C. 
1787, studied law with Judge Parsons, and established himself at 
Augusta, Me. He filled the office of judge and counsellor, and 
was offered by John Quincy Adams, his old class-mate, a mission 
to Russia, which he declined on account of ill health. He d. 1834. 
Edmund, a brother of James, was a distinguished merchant at Wil- 
mington, N. C, where he d. 1822. Nathan, another brother, was 



24 



•HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



37 

38 
39 
40 



41 
42 
43 

44 
45 
4G 



12-19- 



14-26- 



26-47 

48 
49 
50 
51 
52 
53 

15-3 i- 



a lawyer in Gardner, Me. He d. 1828. Samuel, another brother, 
was a merchant in Boston, and for a time was partner of the late 
Robert G. Shaw. He moved to Dresden, Me., where he d. 1822. 
His son, Samuel J. Bridge, b. 1812, was appointed in 1841 an 
appraiser in the Boston custom house, where he remained twelve 
years, when he was appointed appraiser-general for the Pacific 
Coast, and resides at San Francisco. William, another brother of 
James, Edmund, &c., was a merchant at Augusta, and afterwards 
moved to New Orleans, where he d. 1818. Joseph Bowman 
Bridge, the last of the brothers, resided in Me., where he filled 
various offices. He was an elector for President in 1848, when 
Gen. Taylor was chosen. 

William, h. Apr. 19, 1741 ; m. Oct. 17, 1765. Mary Porter, of Lex. 
He settled in Rutland, where he d. Feb. 9, 1804. 

Nathan, bap. Mar. 20, 1743; d Sept. 14, 1771, aged 28. 

Francis, bap. Dec. 29, 1745; d. Nov. 20, 1747. 

Francis, bap. Aug. 28, 1748; m. Feb. 11, 1773, Eunice Brown. 
He resided many years in Winchendon. They had one child, 
Lucy, 'bap. in Lex. 1789. He d. Apr. 28, 1796. He had other 
children, among whom was Ruhamah, who m. Feb. 6, 1810, Jamea 
T^ler, of Charlestown. 

\Maithew, baji. Mar. 11, 1753; ra. Apr. 29, 1779, Alice Parker. 

Joshua, bap. Dec. 29, 1754; d. Dec. 20, 1760. 

Phebe, bap. June 6, 1756; m. Nov. 11, 1789, Stephen Barrett of 
Con. 

James, bap. Nov. 13, 1757; d. Oct. 9, 1760. 

\ Jonas, bap. Sept. 2, 1759 ; m. Susanna Reed. 

Joshua, bap. Sept. 12, 1760; d. 1761. 



Matthew Bkidge grad. H. C. 1741. He studied Divinity and 
settled in Framingham, Feb. 19, 1746. He m. Anna Perkins, of 
Bridgewater, dau. of Rev. David Perkins. He d. Sept. 2, 1775, 
and his wid. m. Rev. Timothy Harrington, of Lancaster. At the 
breaking out of the Revolution, Mr. Bridge, in common with other 
patriotic clergymen, volunteered his services as Chaplain to the 
American Army, which was stationed at Cambridge. While in the 
discharge of his duty, be was seized with an epidemic disease which 
prevailed in the camp, to which he fell a sacrifice in a week or two 
after he returned home. 



Joseph Bridge ra. May 3, 1757, Eliot Reed, dau. of William 
and Sarah Reed, who was b. Apr. 28, 1731. They were ad. to the 
ch. July 23, 1758. He d. Sept. 11, 1775, aged 45. They were 
severely afflicted in the loss of their children. 

^Jonathan, b. Sept. 20, 1758; m. Feb. 22, 1781, Phebe Bowman, of 

Camb. 
Eliot, b. May 3, 1761 ; d. young. 
Eliot, b. Apr. 28, 1763; m. Feb. 7, 1786, David Blanchard, of Wo. 

Isaac, b. , 1765; d. Feb. 5, 1769. 

Joseph, b. Feb. 27, 1767; d. Sept. 3, 1775. 
Isaac, b. Dec. 5, 1768; d. Feb. 1, 1769. 
Sarah, bap. Aug. 8, 1773. 



John Bridge m. Apr. 14, 1761, Hannah Reed, dau. of William 
and Saiah, who was b. Oct. 21, 1740. She d. Oct. 26, 1782; and 
he m. Mary Moore. She d. Apr. 1, 1788, leaving an infant one 
year old. He was a soldier under Capt. Blodgett, who marched for 
the relief of Fort William-Henry, in 1757, and was several times 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



25 



32-54 



57 
58 
59 



17-41- 



41-60 
61 
62 
63 

17-45- 



45-64 
65 
66 
67 
68 
69 
70 
71 
72 
73 
74 

26-47- 



47-75 
76 

77 
78 
79 

45-72- 



72-80 
81 



call 
of 



led into active service during the Revolution. lie was a nu'inhur 
Capt. Parker's company, and was at the battle of Hunker IJill. 
He rose to the rank of Maj. in tlie militia. He tilled many pusts of 
honor in the town, and was for a long time a leading magistrate, and 
solemnized more marriages than any other Justice in the town. 

Jolin, b. July 12, 1762 ; went to the State of Maine, where he m. 

Rachel Flagg, of Boston. They resided in Wiscasset, where they 

had four children, Hannah, Fanny, John, and Rachel John d. 

young, and Rachel m. Mar. 24, 1814, Joseph Veazie. They r. in 

Boston. 
Eliah, b. July 2, 1764; d. young. 
Hannah, h. Ap. 30, 1771 ; m. Sept. 29, 1791, Joseph Chandler. He 

d. Oct. 26, 1807, and she m. June 7, 1810, Dr. Thomas VVhitcomb, 

of Lex. and had Elizabeth, who m. Gerry. 

Mary, bap. Jan. 14, 1776; d. Sept. 4, 1778. 
Sarah, b. June 20, 1780; d. Dec. 1, 1780. 
Mary, bap. May 6, 1787 ; m John Bridge, of Bil, 



Matthew Bridge m. Apr. 29, 1779, Alice Parker. He moved 
to Charlestown, where he became a prominent merchant. He and 
his partner, T. K. Jones, are said to have owned the first copper- 
bottomed ship which sailed out of Boston. 

Alice, h. Nov. 18, 1779 ; ra. Ebenezer Baker, of Charlestown. 
Nathan, b. Apr. 18, 1782; m. Betsey Bartlet, of Charlestown. 

Sally, b. ; m. Seth Knowles. 

Samuel, h. ; grad. H. C. 1816; d. 1830, unm. 



JoxAS Bridge m. Susanna Reed, dau. of Joshua and Susanna 
(Houghton) Reed. She d. Aug. 1830. 

Their first child b. Jan. 16, and d. Jan. 17, 1784. 

Patty, b. June 3, 1785 ; d. Feb. 19, 1788. 

Susaniia, b. Jan. 24, 1787; d. unm. 

Patty, b. Apr. 24, 1788 ; d. unm. 

Betsey, b. Apr. 23, 1790 ; d. Mar. 27. 1793. 

Jonas, h. Aug. 26, 1792; d. July 5, 1813. 

Samuel, b. Nov. 12, 1793; d. Sept. 30, 1795. 

Bowman, b. June 18, 1795 ; went to St. Louis, where he d. 

\Samuel, b. Dec. 12, 1796; ra. Hannah Maria Wellington. 

Betsey, b. Jan. 7, 1799 ; d. unm. 

Caroline, b. July 28, 1800 ; d. unm. 



Jonathan Bridge m. Feb. 22, 1781, Phebe Bowman, of Camb. 
They were ad. to the ch. Mar. 30, 1785. He was one of a detach- 
ment of Capt. Parker's Co , which marched to Cambridge on the 
memorable 17th of June, 1775. He d. 1849, aged 91. 

Joseph, bap. Apr. 9, 1783. 
Nancy, b. Sept. 12, 1785; d. unm. 

Phebe, b. Nov. 7, 1789; m. Sargent, of Maiden. 

Eliot, b. Oct. 20, 1793. 

Jonathan, b. Feb. 1798 ; m. Smith, of Charlestown. 



Samuel Bridge m. June 15, 1836, Hannah Maria Wellington, 
dau. of Nehemiah Wellington, b. Nov. 17, 1809. 

Caroline Eliza, b. June 3. 1837 ; m. Sept. 2, 1858, George O. Davis. 
Jonas Francis, b. June 27, 1839; d. Sept. 4, 1815. 



26 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 

4 



Amelia Maria, h. Dec. 23, 1841 ; d. Aug. 24, 1842. 
J^awes Bowman, b. Feb. 26. 1843 ; d. Apr. 13, 1843. 
Annie Marie, b. Sept. 8, 1846 ; m. Nov. 16, 1865, George Lyman 
Stratton, of Boston ; r. in Lex. 



THE BRIGHAM FAMILY. 

There has been a family of the name of Brigham in Lexington, 
the extinction of which is so remarkable as to deserve notice. 

Aaron Brigham b. 1785, son of Ithamar Brigham, of Marlboro', 
m. 1808, Comfort Valentine, by whom he had three children, Catha- 
rine, William, and Sophia. Catharine was an invalid, and for years 
could not dress herself, or get off from her bed without help. Her 
father, after doing business in Boston, and acquiring a comfortable 
property, purchased a small farm, and came to Lex. in 1853, hoping 
that the country air might prove beneficial to his feeble daughter. 
Mr. and Mrs. Brigham were very domestic, and seemed to make the 
comfort of their invalid daughter the great object of their care ; and 
the daughter often expressed the hope that she should not survive 
her parents. Though Mr. Brigham enjoyed good health for a man 
of his years, he was taken down with a fever, and d. Oct. 3, 1863, 
aged 78 years. His wife d. suddenly Dec. 19, 1863, aged 80 years ; 
and Catharine, the invalid daughter, as if she had nothing on earth 
to live for, d. Dec. 29th of the same year, aged 54 years. Thus, in 
less than three months, the whole family in Lex. became extinct. 



William Brigham b. Mar. 27, 1805, came to Lex. about 1830. 
He m. Aug. 4, 1835, Abby Ann Muzzey, dau. of Rev. William and 
Anna Muzzey. He is a dea. of the Unitarian church, and takes a 
lively interest in religious affairs. They have but one child, Laura 
Muzzey, b. July 20, 1836. 

Dea. Brigham is a son o^ Elijah and Mary (Gleason) Brigham, of 
Sudbury, who had a family of eleven children. Elijah was born 
Oct. 13, 1776, and was a direct descendant from John Brigham, the 
second son of Thomas who came to this country in 1635, in the ship 
Susan & EUyn, and settled in Wat. 



THE BROWN FAMILY. 

The name of Brown is so common, that in tracing the line of 
family descent, we are in great danger of confounding one person 
with another, and of becoming bewildered among the William 
Browns and John Browns, as we should be if we fell into the laby- 
rinths of the John Smiths. But being favored by the labors of one 
of the family, I have been materially aided in giving a connected 
view of the Lex. Browns. The original ancestor of this family, who 
came to this country, was 

John Brown, who was baptized at Hawkedon, Eng. Oct. 11, 
1601. He was son of John, an elder brother of Richard Brown ; he 
arrived in New England in the ship Lion, Sept. 16, 1632, and settled 
in Wat. He was ad. freeman in 1634, and d. June, 1636, aged 36. 
By his wife Dorothy, he had three children, one of whom must have 
been born abroad. 



\John, b. in England, 1631. 
Mary, b. Mar. 24, 1636. 



3 Hannah, b. Sept. 8, 1634. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



27 



1-2- 



2- 5 
6 
8 
10 
11 
13 
14 



John Brown, m. Apr. 24, 1655, Esther, or as it is sometimes 

written, Hester Makepeace, of Boston. They had eleven children 

the first four of whom were born in Camb. and tiie remaining seven 
in Marlborough, to which place he had removed. lie sold out his 
place in Marl, to Thomas Rice, and removed to Falmouth, and from 
thence to AVat. His Will, dated at Wat. Nov. 20, l(iU7, in which ho 
is designated as "late of Falmouth," mentions his wife Hester; 
sons John, Thomas, Daniel, and Joseph ; dau. Deborah Meacham ; 
sons-in-law John Gustin, John Adams, Thomas Darby, and John 
Hartshorne. 

Josepl, b. Feb. 8, 1656 ; killed by a cart Sept. 24, 1671. 
Elizabeth, b. Mar. 26, 1657. 7 Sarah, b. Jidy 8, ICGl. 



15 \J-6seph, b. 1677 ; d. Jan. 11, 1764, aged 86. 



2-15- 



Mary, b. Dec. 19, 1G62. 
Hester, b. and d. 1667. 
Thomas, b. 1669. 
Deborah, b. 1673 ; m. - 
Abigail, b. 1675,. 



9 John, b. Nov. 27, 1664. 
lOi Ruth, b. Dec. 8, 1668. 
12 Daniel, b. 1671. 
Meacham. 



15-16 
17 

18 
19 
20 
21 
22 



Joseph Brown m. in Wat. Nov. 15, 1699, Ruhamah Wellington, 
dau. of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Sweetman) Wellington, of that 
place. He probably settled at Wat. Farms, (now Weston,) as he 
sold a place there in 1709, soon after which he removed to Lex. On 
the 31st of May, 1713, he and his wife were ad. to the ch. in Lex. 
and a few weeks after one of their children was baptized. He was a 
prominent member of the ch. and was chosen dea. in 1727, which 
office he held till his death in 1764. His services were also appre- 
ciated in the town. While in Wat. he was constable, selectman, 
and town clerk ; and after he came to Lex. he was called to fill 
similar offices, being assessor, and selectman. He d. in Lex. Jan. 
11, 1764, aged 86. She d. July 1, 1772, aged 91. They lived 
together, husband and wife, 64 years. 

Ruhamah, b. in Wat. July 15, 1701. 
\Daniel, b. in Wat. Dec. 21, 1703. 
John, b. in Wat. Jan. 6, 1706 ; d. Jan. 21, 1730. 
\Joseph, b. in Wat. Sept. 2, 1708 
Jonas, b. in Wat. May 3, 1711. 

\James, bap. in Lex. July 26, 1713; d. June 11, 1768. 
Josiah, bap. in Lex. Aug. 12, 1715; was ad. to the ch. Mar. 11, 
1730. He settled in Sterling. He was grad. at H. C. in 1735, 



15-17- 



17-25 
26 

27 
28 
30 
31 



preached in Sterling, and d. Mar. 4, 1774. 
tenjamin, bap. July 3, 1720; d. 1801, aged 81. 



\B. , 

William, bap. Apr. 28, 1723. He removed to Framingham, where 

he was a dea. of the ch. and selectman of the town. He d. Dec. 

12, 1793, and bis widow d. Feb. 1810. They had a family of 

eight children. 

about 1728. They were ad. to 



Daniel Brown m. Eliot — 
the ch. in Lex. Mar. 15, 1734 She d. July, 1735, and he m. July 
16, 1736, Anne Bright, of Wat. 

John, bap. Nov. 30, 1729 ; d. young. 
Ruhamah, h. Apr. 7, 1731 ; m. Jan. 18, 1753, John Reed. 
^Nathaniel Bowman, b. July 1, 1737. 

Abisha, bap. Aug. 13, 1738. 29 Anna, b. Apr. 29, 1739. 

Daniel, b. Dec. 20, 1741. 

Esther, b. Aug. 12, 1743; ra. Aug. 16, 1770, Nathaniel Tottingham, 
Westminster. 



28 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



32 
33 
34 
35 



15-19- 



15-21- 



21-37 
38 
39 



40 
15-23- 

2^-41 



42 

43 
44 
45 

46 



47 
48 

49 
50 
51 



17—27 



27-52 
64 



Jerusha, h. Mar. 18, 1746 ; ra. Oct. 13, 1766, Abisha Brown, Con. 
Martha, b. June 18, 1749 ; m. Nov. 27, 1766, Zachariah Brown, Con. 
Joh?i, h. Apr. 12, 1751 ; killed on the Common, April 19, 1775. 
Hanyiah, b. Apr. 8, 1756. 36 Mary, b. May 5, 1768. 



Joseph Brown, ad. to Lex. ch. Feb. 18, 1727 ; removed to Hol- 
liston, where he was dea. of a ch. ; m. Lydia Twitchel, and had a 
family. 



James Brown ra. Jan. 21, 1735, Jane Bowman, dau. of Nathaniel 
and Anne Bowman. She d. May 8, 1761, and he m. Elizabeth, wid. 
of Hezekiah Smith, of Lex., May 18, 1762. James Brown and Jane 
were ad. to the ch. Oct. 19, 1735; he was chosen dea. 1756, and 
filled that office till June 11, 1768, when his earthly labors ceased. 
His wid. d. Dec. 29, 1774. 

Mary, b. Aug. 13, 1735 ; m. Sept. 3, 1753, Samuel Thacher, of Wat. 

>^Francis, b. Jan. 22, 1738; d. Apr. 21, 1800, aged 62. 

Joseph, b. Apr. 14, 1741 ; grad. H. C. 1763 ; was ad. to the ch. in 
Lex. May 7, 1765. He m. May 7, 1765, Sarah Smith; was dis- 
missed from the ch. at Lex. to the ch. of Winchendon, over which 
be was ordained May 24, 1769. He d. 1811. 

James, b. Jan. 3, 1744 ; d. Jan. 22, 1749. 



Benjamin Brown, m. Dec. 22, 1742, Sarah Reed, dau. of William 
Reed, Esq. and Sarah (Poulter) his wife. He was chosen dea. Oct. 
14, 1768. He was justice of the peace. He d. Mar. 4, 1802. 

Benjamin, b. Jan. 1, 1744; m. June 12, 1769, Esther Whittemore, 
of Lex. They were dismissed to the ch. in Templeton, Apr. 26, 
1772, — since Phillipston. 

\TJiaddeus, b. Mar. 12, 1745; m. Nov. 16, 1769, Bethiah Muzzy. 

Sarah, b. Mar. 24, 1747 ; ra. Nathaniel Page, of Bed. 

Eunice, b. Jan. 20, 1751 ; ra. Francis Bridge, Feb. 11, 1773. 

Oliver, b. July 25, 1753 ; raoved to Virginia and settled on the Ohio 
River, and gave his name to the place, viz., Broicnville. 

Solomon, b. Jan 15, 1757. He was not only one of the heroes of the 
19th of Apr. 1775, but he commenced his patriotic labors the day 
preceeding. He was the first who brought the intelligence into 
Lex. that a number of British officers were on their way from 
Boston ; and when they had passed above Lex. he was one who 
volunteered to follow them and watch their movements. He was 
taken prisoner and detained several hours on the evening of the 
18th, which of course prepared his mind for the events of the fol- 
lowing day. Subsequently he removed to Vt. 

^James, b. Oct. 13, 1758; m. May 30, 1780, Betty Reed. 

Buhamah, b. Apr. 23, 1761 ; m. Sept. 20, 1780, Thaddeus Welling- 
ton, of Walt. 

Susanna, b. June 17, 1764 ; m. June 19, 1783, Samuel Downing. 

Nathan, b. Sept. 5. 1766 ; ra. Lydia Muzzy, Dec. 25, 1788. 

Lucy, b. Jan. 17, 1770; m. Joseph Converse, of Bed. 



Nathaniel B. Brown m. Abigail 



They were ad. to the 



ch. Oct. 6, 1765, and dismissed 1783 to the ch. in Lunenburg. 



Susanna, bap. Oct. 24, 1766. 
Nathaniel, bap. Mar. 26, 1769. 



53 Abigail, bap. Apr. 26, 1767, 
55 Anna, bap. Feb. 3, 1771. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



29 



21-38- 



38-56 

57 
58 
59 
60 
61 

23-42- 



42-62 
63 

23-47- 



47-64 
65 
66 
67 

68 
69 
70 

71 

72 



23-50- 



38-58- 



58-73 
74 
75 
76 

77 
78 
79 



Francis Bijowx m. Feb. 16, 1764, Mary Buckman, dau. of John 
and Maiy (Fiske) Bucknian, of Lex. b. Dec. 27, 17 19. They were 
ad. to the eh. Nov. 24, 1765. He was one of that gallant band which 
boldly stood before the British troops on the memorable 19th of 
April, 1775. He met the enemy in the morning, and on their lli«-ht 
from Concord they were again met by Capt. Parker's co. in Lincoln, 
where Brown received a very severe wound,— a ball entering his 
cheek, passed under his ear, and lodged in the back part of his neck, 
from which it was extracted the year following. But notwithstand- 
ing this severe casualty, he commanded the Lex. co. in 1776, and 
lived about twenty-five years after the event. 

Mary, b. Dec. 2, 1765; m. Charles Harrington, Dec. 18, 1786. 
Elizabeth, b. Dec. 30, 1770; m. 1799, Samuel Stearns, of Walt. 
\James, b. July 23, 1773; m. Pamela Munroe. 

Sarah, b. Aug. 20, 1775 ; m. Nov. 5, 1798, Thomas Stearns, of Walt. 
Rebecca, b. Feb. 10, 1778 ; m. James Perry, of West Camb. 
\John, b. Apr. 15, 1779; m. Nancy Stearns, of Walt. 



Thaddeus Bkown m. Nov. 16, 1769, Bethiah, dau. of Amos and 
Esther (Green) Muzzy. They resided in Lex. till 1785, when they 
removed to Temjileton, to the ch. of which they were dismissed. 

Thaddeus, b. in Lex. Sept. 30, 1770. 
Ashbel, b. in Lex. Oct. 11, 1772; d. unm. 



James Brown m. May 30, 1780, Betty Reed, dau. of Hammond 
and Betty (Simonds) Reed, b. Dec. 12, 1757. They were ad. to the 
ch. Apr. 4, 1781. He was subsequently a dea. of the ch. It is a 
singular fact that he was the fourth Brown who filled that office in 
Lex, ch. 

James, b. Apr. 22, 1781 ; d. Oct., 1783. 
Betty, b. June 30, 1783 ; ra. Sullivan Burbank, 1803. 
■\ James, b. Oct. 4, 1786; m. Betsey Dudley, of Con. 
\Leo7iard, h. Jan 3, 1788 ; m. Dorcas Munroe. 
Eliab, b. Sept. 4, 1790; m. Mary White; no issue. 
Nobby, b. Dec. 1793; d. Sept. 1794. 
Nobby, b. June 27, 1795 ; m. Ebenezer Pierce. 
Hiram, b. Feb. 12, 1798 ; d. about 1824, unm. 
Madison, b. May 1, 1802; d. about 1832, unm; was fonnd dead in 
his bed. 



Nathan Brown, m. Dec. 25, 1788, Lydia, dau. of William 
Muzzy. They moved to Phillipston, where they had a family 
Their first two children were born in Lex. Nathan, bap. Aug. 29, 
1790, and Lydia, bap. Jan. 10, 1793. 



James Brown, m. Oct. 19, 1799, Pamela, dau. of Edmund and 
Rebecca Munroe. They were ad. to the ch. May 2, 1813, and five 
of their children were baptized the next Sabbath. 

Pamela, b. July 29, 1800; m. May 18, 1823, Jonas Stone Fiske. 
\Francis, b. Aug 29, 1802; m. Caroline M. Kuhn. 
Harriet, b. Sept. 28, 1804; m. Oct. 10, 1832, Edmund A. Chapman. 
Charlotte, b. Nov. 11, 1806; m. Oct. 10, 1832, William Gleason. 
\EdmundM., b. Feb. 13, 1809; m. Harriet Whitney. 
Charles, b. June 3, 1812, d. Jan. 1, 1813. 
\Charles, b. May 2, 1816 ; m. Sarah Ann Sumner. 
62 



30 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



88-61- 



61- 80 
81 
82 
83 
84 
85 
86 
87 



47-66- 



66- 89 
91 



47-67- 



67- 92 
93 
94 
95 

96 
97 
98 



99 



58-74- 



58-77- 



JoHN Brown, m. Nanc7 Stearns of Waltham. 

Caroline, b. June 5, 1802. 

Mary S., b. May 9, 1804; m. July 28, 1825, Jobn Beals. 

John S., b. Sept. 14, 1806. 

Susanna W., b. May 24, 1808 ; m. Apr. 23, 1831, Wm. Proctor. 

Horatio, b. July 24, 1809 ; m. Apr. 22, 1832, Susan II. Johnson. 

Ann, b. Oct. 16, 1811. 

Louisa Amanda, b. Sept. 14, 1813. 

Ea?inah E., b. Nov. 10, 1816. 88 Jane I., b. Nov. 23, 1822. 



James Brown, m. Elizabeth Dudley of Concord, June 9, 1811. 

Benjamin, b. Aug. 23, 1813, 90 Oliver, b. July 28, 1817. 
Lucy E., b. Feb. 20, 1820 ; m. Rogers of Manchester, N. H. 



Leonard Brown, m. Nov. 25, 1810, Dorcas, dau. of Nathan 
and Elizabeth (Harrington) Munroe, b. Mar. 31, 1788. 

Elizabeth, b. June 15, 1811 ; d. Mar. 2, 1820. 

Mary, b. May 9, 1814; d. Mar. 3, 1820. 

Leonard, b. Mar. 19, 1818 ; d. Sept. 4, 1819. 

Leonard, b. Feb. 24, 1821 ; m. Sarah Ann Goodnow of Stow, re- 
sides at Lowell. 

Elizabeth, b. Mar. 8, 1823 ; m. Elias V. Blodgett. 

Mary, b. July 30, 1825 ; m. George Patch of Littleton. 

Hiram, b. July 20, 1827 ; m. Cyntha Farrar of Walt, resides in 
Arlington. 

Nathan, b. Feb. 8, 1830; m. Hannah E. Fiske, Mar. 7, 1852. 



Francis Brown, m. Jan. 1, 1833, Caroline Matilda Kuhn, dau. 
of John and Sarah of Boston, b. Dec. 15, 1812. He is a merchant 
in Boston, has represented the city in the General Court, and in the 
city government, and has for a long period held by appointment of 
Governor, the office of Inspector of butter and lard. They have 
had at least two childi-en — Francis H., b. Aug. 8, 1835; grad. at 
H. C. 1857 ; and Horace S., b. Aug. 9, 1847 ; d. May 30, 1848. 



Edmund M. Brown, m. May 1, 1835, Harriet Whitney of Wat. 
b. Nov. 15, 1812. 



77-100 
102 



68-79- 



79-103 
104 



Edmund M., b. Oct. 30, 1837. 
William H, b. Jan. 2, 1841. 



101 James H., b. Oct. 26, 1839. 



Charles Brown, m. May 9, 1839, Sarah Ann Sumner, dau. of 
James and Sally Sumner. She was b. Jan. 27, 1820. He repre- 
sented the town in the General Court, 1854. 

Charles F., b. Oct. 9, 1842 ; d. same day. 
Ellen Maria, b. Nov. 28, 1843. 



THE BRYANT FAMILY. 

JosiAH Bryant, son of Josiah and Lydia (Green) Bryant, of 

South Reading, was. b. June 20, 1778. He m. Aug. 28, 1803, Sally 
Withington, of Dorchester, dau. of Edward and Eunice (Tucker) 
Withington, b. Mar. 24, 1778. He probably came to Lex. about 
the time of his marriage, as his wife was ad. to the ch. the year 
after. He d. Nov. 14, 1837. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



81 



1- 



1-5- 



6- 6 

7 

8 

10 

11 



1- 2 
3 
4 
5 

1-3- 



8- 7 

8 

10 



Susanna T., b. July 11, 1804; m. May 18. 1834, William D Phelps 
Cynthia, b. Oct. 7, 180G; m. Oct, 11, 18;?0. Benjamin Shurtleff Jr* 
Sally, b. July 18, 1809 ; m. Feb. 8, 18:50, Charles Ellms. 
\Alhert Withington, b. Feb, 16, 1814; he has been twice married. 



Albert W. Bryant m. May 9, 1838, Elizabeth Wellington, dau. 
of Marshall and Elizabeth Wellington. She d. July 15, 1810, and 
he m. Aug. 23, 1841, Nancy W. Wellington, sister of his first'wife. 
He has filled the office of selectman and assessor, and has been town 
clerk 23 years. He also has a commission of justice of the peace. 

Josiah, b. Mar. 13, 1839. He was in the service nine months in tho 

late rebellion. 
Albert W., b. Jan. 4, 1844; d. Oct. 25, 1847. 
Arthur W., b. July 20, 1847. 9 Edwin P. 

Anna Elizabeth, b. N6v. 12, 1856. 
Clijford W.,h. Oct. 11, 1859. 



b. Aug. 31, 1850. 



THE BUCKMAN FAMILY. 

Though the Buckmans were somewhat connected with the history of 
Lexington in 1775, they were not among the early settlers. When 
they came to Lex. I have not ascertained with certainty. John 
Buckman was in the town, and was chosen to the office of hog con- 
stable in 1740, which might imply that he had just settled in the 
world, and the date of the birth of his first child rather confirms us 
in tha't opinion. From what place he came, I am not able to say; 
but as the Buckmans, or Bucknams, as the name was at first generally 
spelled, were very numerous in Maiden, it is highly probable that 
the Lex. Buckmans originated there. 

John Buckman m. 1739, Mary Fiske, dau. of Dr. Robert. They 
were ad. to the ch. in Lex. May 15, 1745. He d. Feb. 17, 1763, 
aged 51 ; she d. Feb. 10, 1768, in the 48th year of her age. 

Mary, b. Dec. 27, 1740 ; m. Feb. 16, 1764, Francis Brown. 
\John, b. Apr. 2, 1745 ; m. July 21, 1768, Ruth Stone. 
Sarah, b. Jan. 3, 1748; m. June 12, 1766, Jonas Stone. 
Elizabeth, b. Jan. 11, 1753. 6 Ruth, b. Dec. 30, 1755. 



John Buckman, m. July 21, 1768, Ruth Stone, dau. of Samuel 
and Jane Stone. He resided in the house now occupied by Rufus 
Merriam, which he kept as a public house. It was here that Capt. 
Parker, and his patriotic men assembled on the evening of the 18th 
of April, 1775 ; and from this house they issued on the approach of 
the British the next morning. Shots were fired from this house upon 
the British, after they had attacked the Americans upon the Com- 
mon, and some of the clapboards to this day give evidence that the 
fire was returned. John Buckman stands enrolled as a member of 
Capt. Parker's company. He had but one child by his first wife, 
who d. Sept. 8, 1778, aged 33. He m. as a second wife, Sept. 28, 
1784, Sarah Weld, who d. Nov. 16, 1801, aged 43. lie d. Dec. 21, 
1792, aged 48. 

John, b. Sept. 12, and d. Sept. 22, 1771. 

Sarah, b. Feb. 19, 1785. 9 John, b. May 7, 1787. 

Henry, b. Aug. 6, 1788. 11 Polly, b. Apr. 19, 1790. 



32 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



There were several other Buckmans mentioned in our records at 
an earlier date than those mentioned above ; but it is doubtful 
whether they resided here permanently. We will give the record 
as we find it. 

Paul Buckman, bap. Apr. 26, 1734. 

Benjamin, son of Joseph Buckman, bap. June 12, 1737. 

Jacob Buckman, m Elizabeth Munroe, Jan. 1, 1787. They had 

Bowen, b. Apr. 19, 1788 ; and Dennis and Willis, twins, b. May 

13, 1794. 



THE BURBANK FAMILY. 

Col. Burbank came to Lexington in 1801. His father, Samuel 
Burbank, had two wives, by whom he had twelve children. His first 
wife died ; and he married Eunice Kendall, of Sherborn. She was a 
daughter of Benjamin Kendall of that town, who originated in Lex. 
being a son of Thomas Kendall, who resided in this town. Samuel 
Burbank was a soldier of the Revolution. He was a Lieutenant at 
the Battle of Bunker Hill. He afterwards commanded a company 
which marched to Rhode Island, where he served under General 
Sullivan, for whom his oldest son was named. After the birth of 
Sullivan, he moved from Holliston to Fitchburg, and subsequently 
to Cavendish, Vt. where he died. Daniel, one of his sons, was 
killed accidentally at a military muster in Westminster. 

Sullivan Burbank, the oldest son of Samuel and Eunice (Ken- 
dall) Burbank, was b. in Holliston, Oct. 8, 1776, and m. 1803, 
Betsey, dau. of James Brown, of Lex. He came to Lex. 1801, and 
opened a store in the village. In 1812 he received a commission as 
Lieutenant of infantry in the United States service. He acted at 
first as a recruiting officer in Lex. and Boston ; but marched in 
August to Plattsburg, and on the winter following was again detailed 
on the recruiting service. In April, 1813, he marched with about 
one hundred recruits first to Greenbush, N. Y., and then to Sackett's 
Harbor ; and arrived at that post just in season to assist in repelling 
the attack of Sir George Provost, on the 29th of May. Remaining 
at Sackett's Harbor during the summer, he moved with the army 
under Gen. Wilkinson down the St. Lawrence in November, 1813, 
and was in the action at Cristler's Fields on the 11th of that month, 
and went into winter quarters at French Mills. Early in the spring, 
he returned to Sackett's Harbor, and thence to Buffalo. On the 3d 
of July, 1814, he crossed with the troops into Canada, was in the 
battle of Chippeway on the 5th of that month, and at the more san- 
guinary battle of Niagara on the 25th. Being in Col. Miller's regi- 
ment, he was one of the gallant spirits who stormed the enemy's 
battery, which commanded the field, and thus turned the fortunes of 
that desperate struggle. In this charge, rendered memorable by the 
noble daring of the regiment, and the modesty of Col. Miller, who, 
when asked if he could silence that battery, meekly replied, " I ivill 
try, Sir,'''' Capt. Burbank received a severe wound in the shoulder. 
For his bravery and good conduct in that action, Capt. B. received 
the brevet rank of Major. 

On the reduction of the army in 1815, consequent upon the term- 
ination of the war, Brevt. Maj. Burbank was retained in the service, 
a Captain in the 5th Regiment of infantry. On the peace establish- 
ment, Maj. B. has served at almost every part on the frontier from 
the St. Lawrence to the Sabine. He was stationed first at Detroit, 
then at Fort Gratiot at the outlet of Lake Huron, then at Fort 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



33 



1- 2 

3 
4 



1- 2 
3 
4 
5 

1-2- 

2- 7 
9 

1-4- 



Snelling at tbe junction of the Minnesota and Mississippi, under tho 
gallant Colonel in honor of Avhom the Tost was named. lie was 
then detached to Fort Armstrong, (Rock Island,) where he had tho 
command about four years. In 1828, he was stationed at JeiFersun 
Barracks, Mo., thence he was given the command at Fort Mackinaw. 
About this time he was promoted to the rank of Major in tho 7th 
Regiment, and ordered to Fort Gibson, Arkansas ; thence to Fort 
Towson on the Red River ; thence to Fort Jessup, La., and thenco 
again to Fort Gibson. At this time he was promoted to the rank of 
Lieut. Col. and ordered to Fort Winnebago, near Portage Citv, 
Wis. After this Col. Burbank was ordered to New York to act as 
general superintendent of the recruiting service for tho army. 
Feeling the infirmities of age, Col. Burbank, in 1M39, resigned his 
commission, and being honorably discharged, he retired to private 
life. lie was highly respected as a man and a citizen. He repre- 
sented the town of Lex. in the General Court in 1840, and 1847. 
He died Sept. 30, 1862, aged 86. She d. Mar., I860, aged 77. 

Lorenzo, b. Feb. 28, 1804; m. Mary Ann Alexander, of Charles- 
town. They resided in Somerville, and subsequently in J^ex. 

Daniel, b. August 29, 1805 ; d. June 14, 1810. 

Sidney, b. Sept. 26, 1807. He was graduated at West Point in 
1829 as a Lieut, and entered the service of the United States. He 
served in the Florida War, and during the war with Mexico was 
in command of Fort Scott. He was promoted to the rank of Capt., 
and then to that of Major. He was also in the service of his coun- 
try in the late rebellion, being true to the old flag. He m. at 
West Point, Isabella Slaughter, dau. of Sheriff Slaughter, of Cul- 
pepper Co., Va., by whom he has several children. 

Ophelia, ? i "n o7 lana S ^- 1818. 

Paulina, \ ^- ^^^' ^'' ^^^ ' ) m. , Pelatiah P. Peirce, of Lex. 

Octavia, b. Apr. 18, 1812; m. , 1837, Charles Sumner Jacob*, 

of Medford. She d. Jan. 20, 1857. 



THE BURDOO FAMILY. 

As God has made of one blood all nations of men, there is no 
reason why we should not notice a very respectable colored family, 
which resided many years in town, and discharged all the duties of 
citizens. 

Philip Burdoo resided on the Bedford road, nearly opposite 
the old Simonds Tavern House. His wife was ad. to the ch, 
Dec 26, 1708. The record of the family, though probably incom- 
plete, is as follows. 

\Philip, bap. Apr. 10, 1709; m. Mary , about 1738. 

E^mice, bap. Apr. 10, 1709 ; d. Feb. 28, 1720. 

\Moses, bap. Apr. 9, 1710; m. Feb. 13, 1754, Phebe Banister, Con. 

Aaron, h^^. July 27, 1712. 6 PhineJias, bap. July 31, 1715. 



Philip Burdoo, m. Mary . 

Philip, bap. Oct. 21, 1739. 8 Mary, bap. Feb. 18, 1742. 

Silas, ? and a child which d. Oct. 13, 1755. 



Moses Burdoo, m. Phebe Banister of Con. and had Eli, bap. 
July 20, 1755, and probably other children. Tradition says that 
some of this family moved to Vt. where they were highly respected, 
and some of them promoted to public office. 



34 



mSTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 
3 
4 
6 
6 

1-3- 

3- 7 

8 
16-* 



6-10 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 



1- 2 
3 



THE BUTTERS FAMILY. 

Joshua Butters was b. in Wilmington ; m. Susanna Peters, b. 
in Burlington. They resided in Boston, where their children were 
born. He d. 1840 ; she d. 1824, 

Joshua, b. . 

\Charles A., b. May 7, 1808 ; m. Sarah A. Viles. 

George W,, b. . 

Svsan, b. ; m. John Tidd, of Wo. 

\8ydney, b. May 22, 1817 ; m. Almira R. Blodgett. 



Charles A. Butters m. Oct. 3, 1834, Sarah A. Viles, b. Mar. 
17, 1810, dau. of John Viles of Lex. 

Frank V., b. Apr. 8, 1837; m. May 4, 1862, Lizzie Hastings, of 
Con. They have Alice H., b. Nov. 11, 1864 ; Charles A., b. Oct. 
6, 1867. 

Sarah Louisa, b. July 3, 1839. 9 Ella F., b. Sept. 15, 1844. 



Sydney Butters m. Apr. 28, 1844, Almira R. Blodgett, dau. of 
James. He was nine months in service in the late rebellion. 

George S., b. May 2, 1845. 11 Jason W., b. Jan. 29, 1848. 

Josephine Augusta, b. Nov. 11, 1849. 

James Francis, b. Mar. 17, 1852 ; d. Apr. 15, 1854. 

Charles Francis, b. Mar. 23, 1854. 

William Henry, b. Aug. 31, 1856 ; d. July 17, 1857. 

Willietta, b. May 17, 1858; d. May 19, 1858. 

Willie, b. May 13, 1859. 

Freddy Ellsworth, b. July 1, 1862. 



THE BUTTRICK FAMILY. 

Isaac Buttrick, b. in Pepperell, Dec. 8, 1809, went to Con. in 
1825, where his ancestors probably resided. From Con. he came to 
Lex. in 1830, and m. 1834, Abigail Locke. He was a Captain in the 
militia. 

Matilda, b. Aug. 17, 1835 ; d. Aug. 31, same year. 

Isaac F., b. Mar. 31, 1836. He enlisted for 3 years, was wounded 

and discharged. 
Charles F., b. June 8, 1838; m. Aug. 6, 1861, Eunice L. Glacier, 

Som. He was 3 years in the army of the Potomac. 
llary H., b. Oct. 4, 1840. 
Lrjdia, b. Sept. 30, 1842 ; d. July 18, 1858. 
Jonas M., b. Feb. 10, 1845. 
William, b. Jan. 11, 1847 ; d. Nov. 4, 1863. 
Ella, b. Sept. 20, 1848. 10 Volney, b. Mar. 25, 1850. 

Eugene, b. Sept. 25, 1851 ; d. Sept. 26, 1854. 
Eugetiia, b. Mar 9, 1854; d. May 25, 1856. 
Oscar, b. Aug. 12, 1857. 



THE CALDWELL FAMILY. 

There are a few instances in which the name of Caldwell appears 
on Lex. records. They probably came from Wo. 
Adam Caldwell by wife Phebe had Phebe, b. Mar. 26, 1743; 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



35 



1- 2 

3 
4 
6 



Sybil, b. May 16, 1745, m. Feb. 1, 1767, Samuel Fletcher- Mary 
b. Mar. 6, 1747; Ruth. b. Feb. 7, 1749.— There were a few of the 
same name some fifty or sixty years later, who were from Burlington. 



THE CAPELL FAMILY. 

Curtis Capell, b. Nov. 17, 1806 ; m. May 2, 1832, Mary Au- 
gusta Brown, b. Apr. 2, 1812. 

William C, b. Feb. 10, 1833. 

Mary E., b. Nov. 23, 1834; m, Sept. 1, 1855, Sylvester S. Crosby. 

Henry, b. Apr. 27, 1838; m. Nov. 26, 1862, Augustine Hutchinson. 

Jonas F., b. Mar. 6, 1842. He enlisted in the service of tiie United 
States in 1861, in the 16th Mass. Reg., was made sergeant, pro- 
moted to 2d Lieut., 1st Lieut, Capt., and Maj. by brevet. 

Francis H., b. Sept. 6, 1844. He enlisted in the 9 months' service 
in the late rebellion, and subsequently entered the regular army. 



THE CARLY FAMILY. 

William Carly was taxed in Lex. in 1695. He d. May 12, 1719, 
aged 86. Mrs. Jane Carly, probaI)ly his wife, d. July' 12, 1719, 
aged 70. Elizabeth Carly d. June 3, 1719, aged 34. Rachel Carly, 
an insane woman, had a guardian, and was taken care of by the 
town. She d. Sept. 11, 1725. Sarah Carly m. Oct. 28, 1714, 
Richard Arms. 



THE CHANDLER FAMILY. 

The Chandlers, though a prominent family in Lexington for the 
last century, were not among the early settlers of the town. They 
came here from Con. about 1757. An impression has prevailed in 
the family that they descended from John Chandler, one of the early 
proprietors of Con. ; but I am satisfied that this is not the fact. 

The Chandlers who came to Lex. were from a dillerent stock. 
Shattuck, in his valuable history of the town of Concord, tells us 
that the Chandlers of that town were the descendants of Roger 
Chandler, who was one of a co. most of whom were from Plymouth, 
which had a grant of land in Con in 1658 ; that Roger Chandler 
was employed by Dolor Davis to build a house there. Dolor Davis 
was originally from the Plymouth Colony, and represented Barn- 
stable in the General Court of that colony. He afterward came to 
Cambridge, and was one of the original proprietors of (iroton. Do- 
lor Davis was the ancestor of a large number of Davises, among 
whom was the late Governor Davis of Worcester. 

Who Roger Chandler was I cannot state with certainty. We find 
in the early records of Plymouth Colony the names of Dolor Davis, 
Roger Chandler, John Chandler, Eduumd Chandler, and Samuel 
Chandler. The latter was in 1637 warned to appear before the 
court, to answer for the heinous crime of " shooting olf three gims 
In the night tyme, as if it were an alarum." These Chandlers had 
grants of land in and about Duxbury, where that name has been 
common. Roger must have d. before 1665, as the Court of that 
year made a grant of land to his children, •' he being deceased." 
The Roger who settled in Con. was undoubtedly a son of some of 
these Chandlers, and most likely of Roger, of Plymouth ; and he 
probably came to Cou. with Dolor Davis, the old friend of his father. 



36 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON, 



1- 2 
3 

4 
5 
6 

1-3- 



3- 7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 



3-10- 



10-15 
16 
18 



But be this as it may, the Con. records clearly show that Roger was 
the ancestor of the Con. Chandlers, and that the Lex. Chandlers 
were a branch of the same stock. They were considerably numer- 
ous, and were highly respected in Con. 

Roger Chandlek was one of a company of twenty persons, 
mostly from Plymouth, which had a grant of land in Con. in 1658. 
He m. in 1671, Mary Siraonds, of Con. He d. 1717; and she d. 
1728. They left several children. In his will, dated 1705, and 
proved 1717, he speaks of Samuel as his only son, and of his daughter 
Mary Heald, Abigail Brown, and of his youngest dau. Hepzibah 
Jones. 

3fary, b. Mar. 3, 1672; m. John Heald, of Con. 

^Samuel, b. Mar. 8, 1673 ; m. 1695, Dorcas Buss. 

Joseph, h. Aug. 7, 1678; d. Dec. 4, 1679. 

Abigail, b. Mar. 31, 1681 ; m. Ebenezer Brown. 

Hepzibah, b. ; m. first, Jones, second, Joseph Fletcher. 



Samuel Chandler m. Dec. 11, 1695, Dorcas Buss. He d. 1745. 
His will, proved that year, mentions sons Samuel, James, and Jo- 
seph, and dau. Mary, Huldah, and Rebecca. He was engaged in 
the land speculation so common at that day, — being one of the peti- 
tioners, in 1726, for the large tract lying between Turkey Hill (now 
Lunenburg) and Rutland. He was also one of the proprietors of 
the town of Grafton. He was town treasurer from 1723 to 1727, 
and representative from 1729 to 1736. 

Elizabeth, b. Apr. 6, 1696; d. Oct. 18, 1720, unm. 

Mary, b. Sept 22, 1699 ; m. Joseph Dudley, Oct. 2, 1718. 

Josejyh, b. Oct. 11, 1701; d. Jan. 31, 1746. 

j Samuel, b. Oct. 19, 1704; m. Dinah . 

John, b. Jan. 11, 1707; d. May 3, 1730. 

Huldah, b. July 5, 1709 ; m. Sept. 28, 1731, Ebenezer Flagg. 

Rebecca, b. Dec. 2, 1711 ; m. Davis. 

James, b. Aug. 28, 1714. He m. first, in 1737, Mary Flagg; she d. 
and he m. second, in 1756, Mary Whittaker, of Carlisle ; she d., and 
he m. third, in 1765, Mary Melvin. Among his children were 
James, Joseph, and Jonathan. James settled in New Ipswich, N. 
H., where he became a prominent citizen, and for thirty years was 
a deacon of the church. His descendants settled in different parts 
of the country. His son Roger settled in New Ipswich, and was 
the father of Rev. Seth Chandler, of Shirley. Joseph was for many 
years a dea. of the Con. ch., and a prominent citizen in the place. 
He represented the town from 1799 to 1808. He d. Jan. 19, 
1813, of a cancer, aged 64. 



Samuel Chandler m. Dinah about 1730. His will, proved 

Nov. 17, 1754, mentions wife Dinah, sons Samuel, Jonas, Nathan, 
and Daniel, and dau. Elizabeth and Mary. Son John appointed 
executor. 

\John, b. Nov. 26, 1731 ; m. Beulah Merriam, of Lex. 
Samiiel, b. May 29, 1734. 17 Jonas, b. Feb. 27, 1737. 

Nathan, b. Julv 12, 1739. He was a soldier in the French war in 

1760; d. 1760. 
Daniel, b. Jan. 23, 1741. 
Ebenezer, b. Mar. 21, 1743; d. Dec. 21, 1752. 
Mary, b. Mar. 21, 1746; m. William Muzzey, of Hubbardston. 
Elizabeth, b. Oct. 4, 1749. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



37 



10-15- 



15-23 

24 
25 
26 



15-23- 



JoHN Chandler, m. July 12, 1757, Beiilah Men-iain, dau of Jo- 
seph and Mary (Brewer) Merriam, of Lex., who was b. Aug.' 2, 
1730. The Cliandlers spoken of above were all of Con. John 
probably resided in that part of Con. whieh was included in Lincoln, 
when it was erected into a town in 1754, as his marriage is recorded as 
of Lin. He came to Lex. and erected a house on the present Lincoln 
St., near his father-in-law's, where he spent his days. He held a 
commission under Gov. Bernard as " Cornet of His 'Majesty's Blue 
Troop." His sword, holsters, and a part of his commission are pre- 
served by the f;imily, and were in the hands of his grandson, the late 
Samuel Chandler. Though he held a connnission under the royal 
governor, he was not false to his native colony. He belonged to the 
Spartan band headed by Capt. Barker in 1775. He was a prominent 
man in town for a long period, and filled many offices. He was one 
of the board of selectmen in the eventful period of the Revolution, 
was a member of the committee of correspondence, and filled other 
responsible stations. He was many years treasurer of the Ministe- 
rial Fund, which he managed with great wisdom and fidelity. He d. 
Nov. 22, 1810, aged 70, and she d. Feb. 9, 1813, aged 83. He wa.s 
ad. to the ch. 1758. 

\John, b. Dec. 31, 1758 ; m. Peggy Mack, of Salem. 

\Nathan, b. Feb. 24, 1762 ; m. Ruth Tidd. 

Sarah, b. Feb. 27, 1764; m. Oct. 26, 1786, Hammond Reed. 

Samuel, b. Feb. 16, 1766 ; was grad. PL C. 1790, studied theology, 
and was ordained over the Second Church in Kittery, afterward 
Eliot, N. H., Oct. 17, 1792. He m. ]\Iay 30, 1793, Lydia Spring, 
dau. of his predecessor in the parish, by whom he had a family. 
One son, Alpheus S. Chandler, was a physician in Columbia, Me. 
He d. 1829, aged 63. 

\Joseph, b. Sept 2, 1768; m. Hannah Bridge. 

Abiel, b. June 2, 1771 ; was grad. H. C. 1798 ; d. Feb. 11, 1799, unm. 



John Chandler, m. Jan. 12, 1786, Peggy Mack, of Salem, at 
which place he was residing at the time ; but the year following they 
removed to Lex. They were ad. to the ch. Jan. 9, 1791. He d. 
Oct. 19, 1804, aged 46 ; she d. Apr. 27, 1853, aged 87. He was a 
member of Capt. Parker's company, and was on the Common on the 
19th of April. He was also in a detachment of the co. which were 
called to Cambridge on the 10th of May, and in another detaclmient 
which marched to Cambridge on the 17th of June, 1775. In 1779, 
John Chandler, Jr., Joseph Loring, and Burdoo, a colored man from 
Lex., entered the marine service under Commodore Tucker. Being 
on the southern coast, they were included in the capitulation of 
Charleston, S. C, by Gen. Lincoln, in 1780, and were confined as 
prisoners of war until they were exchanged. After enduring severe 
sufferings from confinement and want of provisions, they were ex- 
changecf, and Chandler and Loring, without money, and almost with- 
out clothing, wended their way as best they could to their native 
home, depending upon the charity of the people, and reached Lex. 
in a destitute and wretched condition, after having been absent about 
one year. Such severe trials, though hardly known to the present 
generation, were common in those days, and show the price our 
fathers paid for freedom. Such sacrifices on their part should inspire 
their descendants with true patriotism. 

After the close of the war, he was actively engaged in the militia; 



was 
1796 



s elected captain in 1790, and promoted to the office of major in 
)6. He was one of the selectmen in 1796, '97, '98. 



63 



38 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



23-29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 

36 
36 
37 

38 

15-24- 



24-39 
40 



41 



15-27- 



27-42 
43 
44 
45 



23-29- 



23-30- 



\JoTin, b. Nov. 6, 1786 ; m. Susanna Whitmore Reed. 

\Da?iiel, b. Oct. 14, 1788 ; m. Susanna Downing. 

Sally, b. Ap. 20, 1791 ; d. Mar, 15, 1815, uhm. 

Peggy, b. Jan. 15, 1793 ; m. May 9, 1833, Joseph Eaton, — no issue. 

Mary, b. Feb. 20, 1794; d. Oct. 19, 1818, unm. 

\Samuel, b. Oct. 26, 1795 ; m. first, Lydia Muzzey, and second, 

Abigail Muzzey. 
Jonas, b. June 23, 1797 ; d. Apr. 5, 1814. 
Abid, b. Mar. 21, 1799 ; d. in Taunton about 1862. 
Thomas, b. May 9, 1801 ; d. Sept. 2, 1838. 
Leonard, b. June 9, 1803 ; d. July 6, 1825. 



Nathan Chandler, m. Oct. 24, 1785, Ruth Tidd, only child of 
Lieut. William and Ruth (Munroe) Tidd, who was b. Oct. 11, 1767. 
He lived on Hancock street, where Nathan Chandler now resides, 
it being the homestead of his father-in-law. He was a lieutenant in 
the Lex. artillery in 1793. He was selectman fifteen years, assessor 
eleven years, town clerk eight years, and treasurer thirteen years, 
representative eight years, and a senator and councillor four years, 
and was for a long time one of the principal magistrates in the town. 
Thus for many years he was one of the most popular and influential 
citizens in the place. He d. Mar. 14, 1837, aged 75, and she d. 
Sept. 15, 1846, aged 80. 

Polly, b. Jan. 3, 1787 ; m. May 22, 1806, Nathaniel Mulliken. 
\William, b. Oct. 4, 1788; m. first, Elizabeth Harrington, and sec- 
ond, Mrs. Mary La Bart. 
\Nathan, b. Mar. 3, 1792; m. Dec. 7, 1821, Maria H. Mead. 



Joseph Chandler, m. Sept. 29, 1791, Hannah Bridge, dau. of 
Major John and Hannah (Reed) Bridge, who was b. Apr. 30, 1771. 
He d. Oct, 26, 1807, aged 39, and she m. June 7, 1810, Dr. Thomas 
Whitcomb, who d. Oct. 8, 1713, aged 48. About three weeks before 
his death, Joseph and his wife o. c, at his residence, and his four 
children were dedicated to God in baptism, 

Hannah, b, June 26, 1794; d. Jan. 20, 1809, unm. 
Sarah, b. May 1, 1796 ; d. Feb. 10, 1800. 
Joseph, b, Feb. 26, 1801 ; d. Nov. 16, 1822. 
JohnB., b, Dec. 11, 1806; d, Nov. 10, 1807. 



John Chandler, m. June 7, 1815, Susanna Whitmore Reed, dau. 
of Nathan and Mary (Page) Reed. He d, Feb, 28, 1817, aged 30. 
He was ardently devoted to the military, was chosen Captain when 
he was 23, and rose to the rank of Lieut. Col, and obtained his dis- 
charge when he was only 28 — a thing uncommon, especially at that 
period. He had but one child, viz. Sarah Chandler, b. Feb 27, 
1816, who is now living. His wid, d, Dec. 1863, aged 77 years. 



Daniel Chandler, m. May 19, 1817, Susanna Downing, dau, of 
Samuel and Susanna (Brown) Downing. He entered the U. S. ser- 
vice as an ensign in Mar. 1812, and on the breaking out of the war 
of 1812, marched in August to the frontier in Col. Tuttle's regi- 
ment; wintered in 1812-13 at French Mills, and was at Plattsburg 
in 1813, While on a hunting excursion he was severely wounded by 
the accidental discharge of a gun, and being unable to perform 
active duty, he was detailed on the recruiting service till 1814, when 
he returned to the frontier. On the return of peace he resigned his 
commission, and returned to Mass. While attached to the army he 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



39 



30-46 
47 
48 
49 



50 
61 
52 



53 



23-34- 



was promoted to a Lieutenancy. He was five years superintendent of 
the Farm School on Thompson's Island in the harbor of I'oston • 
and was afterwards appointed superintendent of the House of Indus- 
try, and also of the House of Kelbrmation in the city of Boston. 
He erected the house in Lex. where J. C. Blasdel now resides, and 
was about to move into it, when he was attacked by the ship fever, 
and d. June 16, 1847, aged 59. His wid. d. Apr. lo, 1806, aged??! 

Mary Jane Mack, b. Mar. 6, 1818; m. Hamilton Hutchins. 

Susan D., b. Dec. G. 1819; d. Nov. 23, 184;3, unm. 

Daniel, b. Sept. 8, 1822. He r. at Buffalo, N. Y. 

Delia, tioin of Daniel, b. Sept. 8, 1822 ; m. Sept. 28, 1846, Ansel 
W. Putnam, by whom she had 2 children, Mary II., b. Sept. 20, 
1847, and Clara D., b. Mar. 4, 1849. She d. Oct. 15, 1850. 

Patrick Henry, b. Mar. 9, 1824, r. in Boston. 

Sarah R., b. Sept. 30, 1826; d. Aug. 27, 1846, unm. 

Leonard, b. Aug. 4, 1828 ; m. Jan. 1848, Lucy Le Baron. He d. 
in San Francisco, Mar. 22, 1848. 

John G., h. Dec. 31, 1831. He grad. at West Point, 1854, and 
entered the service of the United States as a Lieut, of Artillery ; 
he has continued in the service to the present time, passing through 
the various grades to that of a Colonelcy in the regular army. He 
has served in California and in divers positions through the rebel- 
lion. 



Samuel Chandler, m. Oct. 29, 1818, Lydia Muzzey, dau. of 
Amos and Lydia (Boutelle) Muzzey. She d. Aug. 12, 1830, and he 
m. Sept. 11, 1834, Abigail Muzzey, sister to his first wife. She d. 
April 24, 1840. He had 5 children by his first wife, and 3 by his 
last. Having rather a hereditary taste for military matters, he 
entered the service of the United States as an Ensign in 1814, and 
repaired to the cantonment at Pittsfield ; Irom thence he was detailed 
to conduct a body of British prisoners to Canada on exchange, and 
returned to Pittsfield. Soon after, the troops at that place were 
ordered to the Niagara frontier and arrived at Buffalo the latter part 
of July, the day before the battle of Lundy's Lane. But though 
this corps were not upon the lines in season to take part with the 
gallant Scott, Porter, and Ripley, on the field of Bridgewater, they 
were in season to pass through another fiery ordeal more trying than 
any single battle however sanguinary. They were ordered to Fort 
Erie, which was early in August besieged by the British under Gen- 
eral Drummond, and kept in a close state of investment about two 
months. During this period there were two desperate battles in 
which Lieut. Chandler participated — an assault by Drummond upon 
the Fort on the 15th of August, and a sortie from the Fort on the 
17th of September, which induced Drummond to raise the siege. 
The severity of the engagements may be understood from the fact 
that the American loss was returned at 595, and that of the enemy 
about 1700, including nearly 400 taken prisoners. After some slight 
skirmishes on the Niagara frontier, the army were ordered to pro- 
ceed by forced marches to Sackett's Harbor, from an apprehension 
that that post might be attacked by the enemy. On the return of 
peace, Lieut. Chandler was discharged, after a short but active and 
tryincf' campaign, in which for five months in succession he and others 
never* slept but with their clothes on. Though he held a commission 
as Lieut., during the greater part of the campaign he had the com- 
mand of a CO., and during his term of service was promoted from a 
3d to 1st Lieut. He was subsequently Major General in the Militia, 
and held the office of Sheriff of the County ten years. He also rep- 



40 



HI-STORY OF LEXINGTON. 



34-54 



55 
56 
57 
58 
59 



24-40- 



40-62 
63 



resented tbe County in the Senate of the State, and held the office 
of Justice of the Peace and Trial Justice. He was many years an 
active member of the Middlesex Agricultural Society. He d. July 
20, 1867, in his 72d year. 

John L., b. Oct. 6, 1820; m. Abby M. Kimball, dau. of Porter 
Kimball, of Fitchburg. He resides at Memphis. He was in Mo. 
at the breaking out of the rebellion, when he entered the service, 
where he continued till the troops were discharged. He com- 
menced as a Lieut., was in several severe battles, and for gallantry 
was advanced from time to time, till he reached the rank of Lieut. 
Col. He was on Fremont's staff, and afterwards Provost Marshal 
at Little Rock, Arfc. 

Amos M., b. Nov. 2G, 1821; d. Oct. 10, 1825. 

Almira M., b. Feb. 12, 1824. 

Amos M., b. Dec. 21, 1825; d. Aug. 11, 1836. 

Joseph, h. July 29, 1829 ; m. Oct. 27, 1865, Eleanor Ball. 

Henry L., b. Oct. 31, 1835. He went to Calcutta, where he spent 
some 8 years. AVas there during the rebellion against British 
authority. 

Samuel E., b. Sept. 2, 1837; m. 1864, Laura J. Alley. 

Edward T., b. Feb. 28, 1840. 

Joseph, Samuel, and Edward, were in the service of the U. S. in 
the late rebellion. Joseph was taken prisoner at the 2d Bull Run 
battle. Samuel was wounded and taken prisoner at the 1st Bull 
Run battle, and was carried to Richmond, where he was confined 
about 6 mo. He reenlisted into the 12th Reg., was made Quarter- 
master Sergeant, and was discharged to accept the office of 1st 
Lieut, in the 7th Mo. Cavalry, and served as Adjutant. He should 
have been mentioned among the Lex. promotions in p. 308. 



William Chandler, m. Oct. 17, 1813, Elizabeth Harrington, 
dau. of Nathan and Elizabeth (Phelps) Harrington, of Woburn. 
Though Nathan Harrington resided within the bounds of Woburn, 
he was of the Lex. family, and his associations were with the Lex. 
people. She d. Sept. 30, 1847, aged 59, and he m. June 15, 1848, 
Mrs. Mary La Bart, of Lowell. She was a Munroe of the Lex. 
stock, and a granddau. of John Munroe. With a sort of family 
instinct he enlisted into the Rifle company, and in 1826 became the 
commander of that co. He has filled almost every office in the gifl 
of the town, having been selectman, and many years assessor. He 
has represented the town in the Legislature, and has been for many 
years one of the principal magistrates in the place. 

Tryphena Harrington, b. Mar. 8, 1814 ; d. Mar. 2, 1830. 

Wiliiam Tidd, b. June 17, 1816 ; ra. Eliza Ann West, of Charles- 
town, where they reside. They have had seven children, four of 
whom are now living. 

Mary, b. May 22, 1819; m. Oct. 18, 1848, W^arren Duren. then of 
Wo. but now of Lex. She was his 2d wife. No issue. 

Elizabeth, b. July 8, 1822 ; m. Abijah Blanchard, of Charlestown, 
where they reside. They have three children. 

J. Quincy Adams, b. Sept. 17, 1824; m. Mar, 26, 1866, Sarah P. 
Dudley. They have one child. 

Nathan, b. Mar. 22, 1827; m. first, Dec. 17, 1852, Mary Jane 
Francis. She died, leaving one child, and he m. second, Jan. 
16, 1855, Mrs. Clara Wyman Kimball, of Winchester. He resided 
in Boston, and had two children, one by each wife. He d. June 
27, 1861. 



GENEALOGICAI. REGISTER. 



41 



24-41- 



1- 



Natiian CriANPLER, m. Dec. 7, 1821, Maria H. Moad, dan. of 
Josiah Meade. He resides on the old Tidd place on Hancock st. 
where his grandfather Tidd resided. He has no children. True to 
the spirit of the family, he was somewhat devoted to the military, 
having been captain of the Rifle company. 



THE CHILD OR GUILDS FAMILY. 

The family of this name have been very numerous in Watertown, 
Walthani, and several other neighboring towns ; but none of them 
were permanently in Lex. till about the middle of the last centurv. 
Abijah Child appears to have been the first who permanently located 
in the place. He came from Walt, about the time of his marri.age 
in 176o, and was a descendant of one of the early settlers of Wat., 
of which Walt, was then a part. Joseph Child, of Wat., m. July 3, 
1654, Sarah Platts, by whom he had several children, among whom 
was Joseph, b. June G, 1659. Joseph Child was a carpenter by 
trade, and m. Sept. 23, 1680, Sarah Norcross. Slie dying, he m. 
July 25, 1705, Ruth Maddock. He had eight children, four sons 
and four dau. His youngest son, Isaac, ni. July 2, 1729, Eunice 
Tierce. She d. Sept 19, 1793 ; he d. Feb. 7, 1789. They had eight 
children, five sons and three dau. Their fifth son, Abijah, settled in 
the south part of Lex. 

Abijah Child m. Oct. 27, 1763, Sar.ah Cutler, dau. of BenJ. and 
Mary Cutler, of Lex. The record of the marriage speaks of them 
as " both of Lex.," by which we infer that he came here, a young 
man, before he married. He and his wife were ad. to the ch. Oct. 
14, 1764. Mr. Child was a respectable citizen, and filled several 
town' offices. They had seven children, and were called to pass 
through a scene of affliction which rarely falls to the lot of parents. 
Six of their children were taken from them by death in the short 
space of twelve days. These children were interred in the ohl grave 
yard, and one long stone tells the sad tale of human mortality and 
parental affliction, well calculated to produce sober reflection and 
awaken sympiithetic emotions in every parental breast. He d. Aug. 
30, 1808 ; she d. Mar. 3, 1812 ; he in his seventy-first, and she in her 
seventy-eighlh year. 

SaraJi, b. Dec. 17, 1764; d. Aug. 28, 1778. 
Eunice, b. May 15, 1766; d. Aug. 23, 1778. 
Abijah, b. Aug. 1, 1767; d. Aug. 29, 1778. 
Abigail, b. June 18, 1771 ; d. Aug. 29, 1778. 
Benjamin, b. Nov. 16, 1773 ; d. Aug. 24, 1778. 
Moses, b. Sept. 1, 1776; d. Aug. 19, 1778. 
Isaac, b. Oct. 11, 1777; d. Nov. 20, 1811. 
This branch of the family became extinct. 



There have been Childs in town since that period, who belong to 
the same original fiimily. Some of them have spelt their name with 
an s, Childs, but they are without doubt from the same stock. As in 
the preceding family, Joseph Childs, of Wat., by wife Sarah Tlatts, 
had Joseph, b. 1659, who m. 1680, Sarah Norcross, and had Joseph, 
b. June 21, 1685. He m. Mary Thatcher, and had, among other 
children, Jonathan, b. July 3, 1714, who by his wife Elizabeth had 
five children. Joseph, his youngest son, b. Dec. 1761, m. Oct. 3, 
1782, Lucy Parminter. Moses, son of Joseph and Lucy, b. June 
13, 1787, m. Aug. 5, 1810, ]\Iary B., dau. of Tiiomas and ]\Iary 
(Ball) Williams, of Marlborough,' b. Apr, 4, 1786. Thomas Wil- 



42 



HISTOEY OF LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 
3 
4 
6 
6 
7 



1- 2 

4 



1- 2 
3 



1-2- 



liams was a direct descendant from Abraham Williams, one of the 
proprietors of Marlb. Moses Childs d. Feb. 14, 1811, and his wife 
Sept. 21, 1807, each aged 51. 

Luke Carter Childs, a son of Moses and Mary, was b. Mar. 16, 
1811. He had one sister, Elizabeth W., b. Dec. 22, 1812. He m. 
Dec. 10, 1835, Rebecca A. Hale. He did business in Boston several 
years, and came to Lex. in 1849, and settled upon a farm. He built 
a neat rural cottage in a central part of his farm, which presents a 
fine appearance from the street. 

Caroline R., b. Dec. 3, 1836; dTFeb. 21, 1838. 
Eenry M., b. May 17, 1839; d. Nov. 16, 1844. 
Ellen R., b. Oct. 17, 1841 ; d. Sept. 14, 1849. 
Mary E., b. Sept. 19, 1843. 
Edward H., b. Apr. 23, 1846; d. Sept. 12, 1849. 
Frank C, b. Apr. 21, 1849. 



There is still another Lex. family of the same name, and from the 
same parent stock. Augustus Childs, son of Isaac and Betsey 
Childs, of Walt., was b. Oct. 9, 1818; m. Mar. 9, 1854, Eliza Ann 
Blodgett, dau. of Charles and Eliza Blodgett. She d. May 20, 
18G5, and he m. May 10, 1867, Mary Cunningham. He had by first 
wife, Charles A., b. Jan. 21, 1855 ; d. Oct. 18, 1861. Carlton A., 
b. May 20, 1865. 



THE CLAFLIN FAMILY. 

The name of Claflin scarcely appears on the records of Lex., 
and yet it seems that there was at an early day a family of that name 
in the place. Antipas Claflin and Sarah, his wife, were ad. to the 
ch. July 31, 1709; and the town records show that they had the 
following issue. 



Sarah, b. Nov. 1, 1706. 
Noah, b. Apr. 12, 1710. 



3 Robert, b. Mar. 13, 1708. 
5 Nehemiah, b. Sept. 28, 1713. 



THE CLARKE FAMILY. 

We have had occasion to speak frequently of the Rev. Mr. Clarke, 
the devoted priest and ardent patriot, whose life and services are 
interwoven with the history of Lexington. We will now present a 
genealogical view of the family. His ancestors were respectable, 
and possessed those stern qualities which form the basis of the New 
England character, to which we are indebted for much that is valua- 
ble in society, even at the present day. 

Hugh Clarke, the ancestor of Rev. Jonas, came to this country 
early, and settled in Wat., where he had three children. He after- 
wards moved to Rox. He was admitted a freeman May 30, 1660, 
and was a member of the An. and Hon. Artillery Co. 1666. He d. 
in Rox. July 20, 1693. His wife, Elizabeth, d. 1692. 

\John, b. in Wat. Oct., 1641. 

Uriah, b. June 5, 1644; was made freeman in 1685, and d. in Fra- 

mingham, Feb. 24, 1725. 
Elizabeth, b. June 31, 1648; m. Joseph Buckminster, of Rox. 

John Clarke resided first in Rox. and afterwards moved to 
Newton. He probably had three wives, though the name of the first 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



43 



2- 5 
6 
7 
8 
9 

2-5- 

5-10 
11 
12 

13 



14 



6-12- 



12-15 
16 

17 
18 
19 
21 
22 

12-16- 



16-23 
24 



I am unable to give. He m. second, Lydia Buckminster in 1680 
and m. third, Elizabeth Norman in 168i. ' 

\Jolm, of Newton, m. 1697, Ann Pierce, of Dorchester. 
William, b. June 20, 1686; d. 17;)7. 
Ann, b. 1688; m. Apr. 24, 1712, John Billings, of Con. 
Martha, b. 1690. Sh Esther, b. 1692. 

Hannah, b. 1693. % Moses, b. 1695. 



John Clarke m. Ann Pierce, of Dorchester, in 1697. 

Mary, h. 1698. 

John, b. Sept. 22, 1700; d. in Walt. May 31, 1773. 

\Thomas, b. 1704; m. 1728, Mary Brown; d. at Ilopkinton, June 

30, 1775. 
Isaac, b. 1707; m. first. Experience Wilson; moved to Hop., had 

a second wife and numerous children. 
Atherton, m. Patience ; settled in Hop. and had children. 



Thomas Clarke m. 1728, Mary Bowen, b. Dec. 1704. lie d. at 
Hop. 1775, to which place he and his two brothers had removed. 
He was a captain when that office gave distinction and commanded 
respect. 

Peter, b. 1729. 

\Jonas, b. Dec. 14, 1730; grad. H. C. 1752; settled at Lex. 

Thomas, b. June 8, 1732. 

Pe7inel, b. Mar. 18, 1734; d. 1736. 

Mary, b. 1736 ; d. same year. 20 Mary, b. Oct. 11, 1737. 

Fennel, b. July 5, 1739 ; d. 1742. 

Sarah, b. and d. 1742. 



Jonas Clarke m. Sept. 21, 1757, Lucy Bowes. She was a dan. 
of Rev. Nicholas Bowes, of Bed. Her mother was Lucy Hancock, 
dau. of Rev. John Hancock, of Lex. Mr. Clarke was ordained at 
Lex. Nov. 5, 1755. In taking charge of the church and society in 
Lex. he became the immediate successor of his grandfather on the 
side of his wife. He d. Nov. 15, 1805, in the seventy-fifth year of 
his age, and the fifty-first of his ministry. She d. Apr. 27, 1789. 

We have spoken so fully of the life and services of Rev. Jonas 
Clarke in the civil and ecclesiastical history of the town, that it is 
unnecessary to extend a notice of him in this place. He had a family 
of twelve children, several of whom were distinguished in themselves 
and descendants, as will be seen by the following brief sketch. 

TJiomas, b. July 6, and d. Nov. 13, 1758. 

Thomas, b. Sept. 27, 1759; he moved from Lex. to Boston, and 
engaged in trade. He m. Sally Conant. In 1809 he was chosen 
town^'clerk, and continued in that ofiice thirteen years. In 1822, 
Boston was converted into a city, and i\Ir. Clarke was chosen 
Clerk of the Common Council, an office which he held till his death, 
which happened in 1832. He held the two offices of town clerk 
and clerk of the common council twenty-three consecutive years, 
and died in office, in the seventy-third year of his age. The Presi- 
dent of the common council, at a meeting of that board, June 1, 
1832, announced the death of Thomas Clarke, Esq., and paid the 
following tribute to his memory: "His private virtues and his 
long-tried and faithful public services are too well known and too 
highly appreciated by you to require any eulogium from me. He 



44 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



25 



26 



30 
31 



has gone down to the gi*ave in the fullness of years, and his memory 
is honored by the universal respect of his fellow-citizens." 

Jonas, b. Nov. 27, 1760. He moved, when a young man, to Kenne- 
bunk. Me., where he m. Sally Watts. He enjoyed the confidence 
of the public, and was called to fill places of honor and trust. He 
was collector of the port, and judge of probate for the county 
of York. 

Mary, b. May 4, 1762; m. Mar. 31, 1789, Rev. Henry Ware, of 
Hingham. He received the appointment of HoUis Professor of 
Divinity in Harvard University, and moved to Camb. and entered 
upon the discharge of his duties in 1805. He was a man of distin- 
guished ability and of great moral worth, and adorned the office he 
was called to fill. He received from the University the honorary 
degree of Doctor of Divinity. She d. July 13, 1805, about the 
time he moved to Camb. and was buried in the family tomb at 
Lex. By his wife, Mary Clarke, Dr. Ware had ten children — 
three sons and seven dau. four of whom d. in infancy. Henry 
Ware, Jr. their oldest son, grad. H. C. 1812, was ordained over 
the Second Church in Boston, 1817 ; but his health failing him, he 
left his society and visited Europe. On his return, he was ap- 
pointed Professor of Pulpit Eloquence and Pastoral Care in Har- 
vard University. He d. Sept. 22, 1843, greatly lamented by all 
who knew him. 

William Ware, another son of Henry and Mary (Clarke) Ware, 
studied theology and settled first in New York city, and after- 
wards at Walt, and West Camb., Mass. He was also distin- 
guished as a writer. 

John, of Henry and Mary, turned his attention to the healing art, 
and settled in Boston, where he became one of the most distin- 
guished in his profession. He long filled the ■ office of Professor 
of the Theory and Practice of Physic in the Medical Department 
of Harvard University. 

Lucy Ware, of Henry and Mary, m. Rev. Joseph Allen, D.D., of 
Northborough, by whom she had several children, two of whom, 
viz. Joseph H. Allen and Thomas P. Allen, are clergymen. Har- 
riet Ware, sister of Lucy, m. Rev. Dr. Hall, of Providence, R. I. 
She d. June, 1838. One of their sons has entered the ministry. 

Elizabeth, b. June 24, 17G3. She united with her father's church 
Apr. 25, 1784. She d. Dec. 5, 1843, unm. aged 80. 

William, b. June 20, 1764. He engaged in commercial pursuits in 
Boston, and in the prosecution of his business went to Amster- 
dam. He was subsequently appointed Consul to Emden, the 
chief seaport of the kingdom of Hanover, and d. at Porto Rico in 
1822, in the fifty-ninth year of his .age. He was never married. 

Peter, b. Nov. 25, 1765. He commenced mercantile business in 
Berwick, ]\Ie., where he m. his first wife ; from Berwick he moved 
to Portsmouth, N. H. In the prosecution of the business of his 
calling, he sailed for Cadiz ; on the voyage he was captured by the 
French, and thrown into prison at Guadaloupe, where he con- 
tracted a disease of which he died on his passage hotue. He m. 
for his second wife, Nancy Harris, of Concord, N. H. 

Lucy, b. May 2, 1767 ; ra. June 17, 1787, Rev. Thaddeus Fiske, of 
West Cambridge, a faithful and popular clergyman. 

Lydia, b. Mar. 20, 1768 ; ra. Aug. 13, 1789, Rev. Benjamin Green, 
of Medway. He subsequently left the ministry and entered the 
legal profession. He moved to Maine, where he was appointed 
Judge of one of their Courts, and afterwards Marshal of the 
District. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



45 



32 

33 
34 
35 



Martha, h. Oct. 28, 1770; m. Nov. 3, 1791, Rev. William Harris,' 
of Salem, lie was a i'lor<j;yiiian of the Episcopalian Cluirch, He 
was invited to the city of New York, and tiiiuUy made Prc'sident 
of Columbia College in that city. 

Sarah, b. Nov. 10, 1774. She united with the church, May 17 
1807, and d. unm. Jan. 28, 1843, aged 69. 

Isaac Bowen, h. June 29, 1779. lie commenced business in Boston, 
and d. suddenly, July, 1800. 

Henry, b. Nov. 29, 1780; m. May, 1812, Susan Grafton, of Salem. 
He commenced business in Boston, and afterwards moved to Ken- 
nebunk. Me., where he was cashier of a bank. In 1834, he re- 
turned to Boston, where he is now living in his 89th year. Mr. 
Clarke long held a commission as Justice and Notary. He has 
had but two children, both of whom are now living. Henry Qraf- 
ton was born May 14, 1814. He studied medicine, and resides in 
Boston, occupying a good position in his profession. Jonas 
Boicen, b. Jan. IG, 1816, was grad. at Dartmouth, 1839. He 
entered the ministry, was first settled in Conn. ; but his health 
failing him, he returned to JMassachusetts, and was settled in 
Swampscot. 

From this glance at the subject, it will be seen that but few fami- 
ilies can boast of distinction such as has fallen to the lot of llev. 
Jonas Clarke's. 



Other persons by the name of Clarke. 

There were several persons by the name of Clarke in the town at 
different times, whose lineage we have not ascertained. In 1725, 
the selectmen laid out a " way for the accommodation of the farms 
that Daniel Hoar and Judah Clarke live on." In the earliest tax bill 
now extant, 1729, we find Judah Clarke and Judah Clarke, Jr., 
taxed, the former having two houses, and the latter one. They 
lived in a part of the town now included in Lin. 

We will give what our records contain in relation to the Clarkes, 
without attempting to classify them. 

Richard Clarke, of Richard and Mary, b. Feb. 3, 1719. 

Mary Clarke, of James and Jcrusha, b. July 19, 1733. 

Ruth Clarke, admitted to the ch. by a reconnnendation from the 
Pastor of Rowley, Nov, 7, 1725. 

Mary Clarke, ad. to the ch. Feb. 8, 1728. 

Jonathan Clarke, bap. July 15, 1733, his parents o. c. 

Mary Clarke, of James, #ap. July 22, 1733. 

Hannah Clarke, bap. Jan. 19, 1735. 

Eunice Clarke, ad. to the ch. May 30, 1736, and dismissed to Har- 
vard, Aug. 9, 1741. 

James Clarke, dismissed to the ch. at Medfield, Jan. 18, 1746. He 
married Jerusha BuUard of Medfield, Nov. 19, 1730. Mary and 
probably Hannah, in the preceding list, were their children. 

Judah Clarke, of Lex. m. Nov. 21, 1752, Mary Dudley, of Con. 



THE COMEE FAMILY. 

John Comee was in Camb. Farms at the organization of the 
Precinct in 1693, and was taxed to pay the minister for that year; 
and also for the purchase of the ministerial land the same year, la 
64 



46 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 
3 

4 
5 



1-3- 



1697 he was on a committee to look after that land, and in 1711 was 
a subscriber to pay for the land purchased for a Common. He m. 
Jan. 21, 1688, Martha Munroe, eldest dau. of William and Martha 
Munroe. His wife was ad. to the ch. Feb. 1, 1699, and he o. c. 
shortly after; and on the 2Gth of Feb. 1699, four of their children, 
John, David, Hannah, and Martha, were bap. We have no record 
of their births. He is probably the John Comee who d. July 20, 
1723. She d. Mar. 27, 1730. He was of Con. iu 1688, where he 
was m. 

— ; m. Ruhama . 



John, b. — 
\ David, b. 
Hannah, b. 
Alartha, b. 

1749. 
Elizabeth, bap. Feb. 1706. 7 Abigail, bap. Oct. 26, 1707. 



-; d. May 26, 1770, unm. 

•; m. July 9, 1713, Benj. Smith, and d. Nov. 19, 



David Comee ra. Ruhama Brown ? We have found no record 
of the marriage, but presume it was about 1719, from the birth of 
their first child, and from the other significant fiict, that he was, in 
1720, called to the responsible office of looking after the swine — a 
custom long prevailing of giving this honor to a newly married man. 
She was ad. to the ch. Aug. 14, 1720, and d. 1730. He m. second, 

Sarah • , by whom he had most of his children. The record 

of the family is not perfect. It seems that they buried at least two 
children in early infancy, one in 1720, and one in 1730. Whether 
they were some which are mentioned below is not perfectly clear. 
Sarah, his second wife, was ad. to the ch. May 28, 1738. 

3- 8 I David, b. July 30, 1719 ; d. 1720. 9 John, bap. Sept. 26, 1725. 



3-10- 



10-18 
19 
20 
22 
24 

3-16- 



\Joseph, bap. Aug. 4, 1728. 

Benjamin, b. Nov. 15, 1733 ; m. Mar. 25, 1762, Hannah Watts, of 

Chelsea. 
Sarah, b. Sept. 11, 1735; m. Dec. 4, 1755, Isaac Parkhurst, Wat. 
Martha, b. Apr. 11, 1737. 14 Ezekiel, b. Apr. 27, 1740. 

Ruhama, b. Apr. 15, 1742. 

]David, b. Apr. 21, 1744; d. Mar. 8, 1826, at Gardner, aged 81. 
Jonathan, b. Apr, 4, 1746. 



Joseph Comee m. Mary . Joseph Comee was one of that 

patriot band who appeared in arms on the 19th of April, 1775. 
At the time of the approach of the British, he and two others were 
in the church to replenish theim^orns with powder. Seeing that the 
British were about to surround the house, Comee, in attempting to 
escape amid a shower of balls, was wounded in the arm. 



^terc \ P^'obably twins, \ bap. Oct. 27, 1751. 

Joseph, b. July 1, 1753. 21 Mary, b. June 22, 1755. 

Aaron, b. Aug. 15, 1757. 23 Betty, b. Mar. 23, 1760. 

Ruhama, bap. Nov. 14, 1762. 25 Benjamin, bap. July 7, 1765. 



David Comee went to Camb. ; m. first, Christiana Maltman, of 
Boston, and m. second, Hannah Maltman. He had fifteen children. 
He was in the battles of Lex., Bunker Hill, and Bennington. He 
moved to Gardner, where he d. Mar. 8, 1826, aged 81. His de- 
scendants are in Gardner and Fitchburg at the present day. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 47 

THE COOLEDGE FAMILY. 

Jonx CoOLKDGK, the ancestor of Rev. Josiah Cooledrro, came to 
this country about 1G.'50, and settled in Wat., of which he'was a pro- 
prietor, and a leading citizen. By his wife :\Iary he had eight chil. 
Nathaniel, his fifth son, m. 1G57, Mary Bright, and d. 17 1 L They 
had thirteen chil, Thomas, son of Nathl., b. Apr. 21, 1G70, m. 
1699, Sarah Eddy, who d. 1711; and he in. 17i:5, Mary Smith! 
They moved to Sherborne. He d. 1737. He had by his 'first wife 
three chil. David, the only son of Thomas, was b. June 2o, 170.") ; 
m. Mary Mixer, and had six chil. David, the oldest child of the 
preceding, was b. Sept. 3, 17.38, and d. of smali-po.\, 178H. He m. 
1765, Dorothy Stearnes. They r. in Wat., and had eleven chil. 
Peter, the youngest son of David, was b. July 2, 1787, m. June 28, 
1813, Mary T. Munroe, of Canib. She d. Jan. 2i, 1823, and he m. 
July 1, 1824, Mary P. Fiske, of Framingham, where he resided. 
He had six children. 

Josiah Cooledge, the second child of Peter, was b. Oct. 20, 
1816, and m. May 1, 1844, Mehitable A. Fowle, of Boston. He 
entered the ministry and preached for a time in Shirley and other 
places, and was settled over the Universalist Society in Lex. in 1849. 
where he remained about four years. After leaving Lex. he moved 
to Melrose. He d. Oct. 0, 1805. 

1- 2 Jidia, b. Mar. 11, 1845; d. Sept. 11, 1847. 

3 Helen M., b. Mar. 5, 1847. 

4 ^ Anna Hall, b. June 3, 1850. } . • 

5 I Julia, b. June 3, 1850. ^ 

6 Henry, b. June 14, 1853 ; d. Oct. 8, 1854. 



1- 2 

4 
6 



THE COOPER FAMILY. 

There was a family of Coopers in Lex. whose lineage we have not 
traced, who probably came into the place about 1700. They may 
have come from Camb. 

John Cooper m. Elizabeth . He sold his hoase and land 

in Lex. to John Palfrey, in 1719, and undoubtedly left town about 
that time. He lived in the southwest part of Lex. 

Elizabeth, b. May 9, 1699. 3 Hannah, b. Dec. 29, 1702. 

Sarah, b. Apr. 9, 1704. 5 Timothy, b. Apr. 9, 1706. 

Joshua, b. June 25, 1709. 7 Abigail, b. July 10, 1711. 
Buth, b. Sept. 23, 1714. 



CROSBY, is a name which appears a few times upon our records ; 
but there appears to have been no permanent family of that name in 
Lex. 

Sampson Crosby, son of Sampson and Lucy, b. June 5, 1761. 
jggl " " '• " " " b. Feb. 9, 1763. 

George Adams smd Elizabeth Crosby, both of Lex. m. Nov. 18, 1762. 
Ephraim Cook, Camb. and Hannah Crosby, of Lex. m. Jan. 20, 1778. 
They may have belonged to the Crosby family living in Bedford. 
Some of the name have been in town temporarily at later periods. 



48 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 
3 



THE CROWNINSniELD FAMILY. 

Abraham W. Crowninsiiield, son of William and Sarah (Plumer) 
Crowninshield, was b. in Portland, Dec. 16, 1801. He ra. Nov. 9, 
1823, Sarah Byles Peters, b. in Portland, July 16, 1804. They 
settled in Charlestown, where their children were born. He was 
engaged in the furniture and upholstery business. In 1846 he came 
to Lex. and purchased a small farm, still continuing his business at 
Charlestown some years. He has filled the office of assessor several 
years, and has represented the district in the General Court. 

SaraTi, b. Aug. 28, 1824 ; d. Sept. 20, 1824. 

Caleb S., b. Nov. 17, 1825; m. Jan. 1, 1862, Julia H. Christy. 

They r. in Brighton. 
Mary P., b. Feb. 3, 1828 ; m. Sept. 3, 1850, William H. H. Reed, 

of Lex. They have had several children, some of whom they have 

buried. They r. in Charlestown. 
William B., b. July, 1830; d. Jan. 2, 1838. 
Charles F., b. Aug. 6, 1834; d. Dec. 9, 1837. 
Oeorge W., h. Dec. 23, 1836; d. Dec. 12, 1837. 
Sarah C, b. Apr. 23, 1839; m. June 20, 1865, Henry M. Loring, 

of Charlestown. 



THE CUTLER FAMILY. 

The Cutlers, always somewhat numerous in Lex., were among the 
earliest settlers in the place. They came to Lex. from Wat., and 
were the descendants of James Cutler. There is a tradition in the 
family, and English records, if they do not confirm, rather favor the 
position, that Sir Gervase Cutler, who married a daughter of the Duke 
of Bridgewater, was the ancestor of the Cutlers who came to America. 
But be this as it may, we feel assured that as early as 1635, James 
Cutler was in Wat., and was an original grantee of land in the 
northerly part of Wat., on the road to Belmont, and in 1649, James 
Cutler and Nathaniel Bowman purchased of Edward GofFe 200 acres 
of land in Cambridge, adjoining Rock-meadow, near the Wat. line. 
In 1651, he sold his share to Bowman for £39. This was probably 
the land on which Bowman settled, near the present line of Arling- 
ton. It is probable that Cutler, and perhaps Bowman, moved from 
Wat. about this date. Cutler settled at Camb. Farms, near Concord, 
now Bed., line. A part of this farm was owned till recently by the 
wid. of John and heirs of Leonard Cutler. His house was situated 
in the lot back of the present house, — the door step and appearances 
of the cellar still remain. This must have been one of the first houses 
erected in the precinct. 

He was b. about 1606, and probably married before he came to 
this country. His wife, Anna, was buried Sept. 30, 1644; and he 
m. second. Mar. 9, 1645, Mary King, wid. of Thomas King, of Wat., 
who d. Dec. 7, 1654. He m. third, Phebe Page, dau. of John, about 
1662. He d. May 17, 1694, aged about 88. His will, dated Nov. 
24, 1684, presented by his sons John and Thomas, and proved Aug. 
20, 1694, mentions children James, Thomas, John, John Collar, 
Richard Park's wife, John Parmenter's wife, Sarah Wait, Mary John- 
son, Hannah Winter, Joanna Russell (Philip's wife), Jemima, Sam- 
uel, and Phebe. " This list includes two children of my wife, 
formerly wife of Thomas King, one of whom was Mary Johnson." 
(The Mary here alluded to was b. Feb. 2, 1643, and was m. Oct. 19, 
1659, to John Johnson.) 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



49 



1- 2 
3 
4 
6 
6 



1-2- 



2-15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 

1-7- 



7-22 
23 

24 
25 
26 
27 
28 

1-12- 



\James, b. Nov. 6, 1635; m. June 15, 1665. Lvdia Wright. 

Hannah, b. July 26, 1638 ; m. John Winter, .I'r. 

Elizabeth, b. Jan. 28, 1610; d. in infancy. 

Mary, b. Mar. 29, 1644; m. John Collar. 

Elizabeth, b. July 20, 1646 ; m. about 1667 John Parmcntcr, 3d, of 

Sud. 

\Thomas, b. about 1648 ; m. Abigail . 

Sarah, b. about 1653 ; m. Thomas Waite, of Camb. Farms ; ad. to 

the ch. in Wat. Feb. 2, 1690; d. in Weston, Jan. 17. 1714. 
Sarah, h. — ; m. Richard Park, and d. previous to 1690. She was a 

dau. of Thomas and IMary King, probably. 
Joanna, b. about 1660; m. Apr. 19, 1680, Philip Russell, and d. 

Nov. 26, 1703, in her forty-second year. 

Jemima, b. . 

\John, b. May 19, 1663; d. Sept. 21, 1714. 
Samuel, b. Nov. 18, 1664. 
Phebe, b. . 



James Cutler, of Camb, Farms, m. June 15, 1665, Lydia 
Wright, wid. of Samuel Wright, of Sud., and dau. of John Moore, 
of that toAvn. He d. July 31, 1685, aged 50. His will, dated July 
28, and proved Oct. 6, 1685, mentions wife Lydia, and chil. James, 
Samuel, Thomas, and Ann, and refers to other children without 
naming them. • 

James, b. May 12, 1666; d. Dec. 1, 1690. 

Ann, b. Apr. 20, 1669; m. Sept. 26, 1688, Richard Blaise, of Wat. 

Samuel, ? i t»t « ir-o S ^- ^^ Le.x. Nov. 20, 1700. 

Joseph, \ ^- ^^^^' ^' ^^''^'y\ probably d. Sept. 22, 1738. 

\Joh7i, b. Apr. 14, 1675. He removed to Killingly, Ct. 

j Thomas, b. Dec. 15, 1677; m. Sarah Stone. 

Elizabeth, b. Mar. 14, 1681. 



Thomas Cutler m. Abigail 



Thev united with the ch. 



in Wat. July 31, 1687, and when a ch. was gathered in Lex. in 1696, 
they removed their relation to it. He was a subscriber for the erec- 
tion of the first meeting house, in 1692, and was chosen one of the 
assessors in 1694 ; and in 1700, when the parish performed what 
was formerly considered a very important duty, that of " seating the 
meeting house," David Russell, John Mason, and Thomas Cutler, 
"were plast in y*^ second seat in y'' front gallereye." He was a 
valuable and honored citizen, and was often employed in town busi- 
ness, — was an assessor, constable, and selectman. He was also 
honored in the public records with the title of lieutenant, no mean 
designation at that day. He d. July 13, 1722. 

Abigail, b. Oct. 31, 1674. 

Thomas, b. 'Jan. 19, 1678; probably the Thomas who had a son 

James, bap. Mar. 17, 1706. 
3£ary, b. Mar. 15, 1681 ; m. about 1698, William Munroe, Jr., of Lex. 
Baniiah, b. May 7, 1683 ; d. Feb. 25, 1704. 
\ James, bap. in Wat. Jan. 9, 1687. 

Jonathan, bap. in Wat. June 17, 1688; moved to Killingly, Ct. 
\Benjamin, b. in Lex, July 4, and bap. in Wat. Oct. 3, 1697. 

John Cutler m. Jan. 1, 1694, Mary Stearns, dau. of Isaac and 
Sarah (Beers) Stearns, who was b. Oct. 8, 1663. He owned the 
covenant Nov. 1, 1702, when four of his children were baptized. 
He was in the place, and was taxed in 1693 for the purchase of the 



50 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



12-29 
30 
31 



2-19- 



19-34 
36 
37 

38 
39 
41 

2-20- 



20-42 
43 

45 
47 
48 
49 

7-26- 
26-50 

51 
52 

7-28- 



ministerial land, and was assigned a place "in y" front gallerye," in 
1700, when they seated the meeting house. He must have resided 
on what is now Weston street, over the brook, on the southerly side 
of the old Concord turnpike. As early as 1714, John Merriam and 
Matthew Bridge were appointed a committee to lay a road to accom- 
modate Nathaniel Stone, Joseph Stone, Robert Merriam, and John 
Cutler ; and the description of the road leaves no doubt of the gen- 
eral situation of John Cutler's residence. It ran from Nathaniel 
Stone's house by various bounds to the " great rock," thence across 
the brook to Cutler's house. He d. Sept. 21, 1714; she d. Feb, 24, 
1733. 

Samuel, b. Dec. 20, 1694 ; probably d. May 12, 1742. 

f/o/m, b. June 3, 1696 ; m. Jan. 9, 1724, Abigail Stone. 

Ebenezer, b. July 24, 1700. Probably the Capt. Ebenezer Cutler of 

Weston, who m. Mar. 3, 1724, Anna Whitney, of Con., and d. in 

Lincoln, Jan. 17, 1777. 
Mary, b. Apr. 3, 1702 ; m. Feb. 7, 1724, Capt. Samuel Bond, of 

Weston, afterwards of Line. 
Sarah, b. Nov. 20, 1704; probably d. Jan. 12, 1749. 



John Cutler m. Hannah Snow, of Wo., Feb. 6, 1700. She was 
ad. to the ch. by letter from the ch. of Wo., July 5, 1702. They 
moved to Killingly, Ct., about 1713. They had eight children born 
and baptized in Lex. 

Hannah, bap. Nov. 30, 1701. 35 Mary, bap. July 4, 1703. 

^^^^'',, f twins, bap. July 29, 1705. 
Timothy, ^ ' ^ ■' . 

Hezekiah, bap. Apr. 20, 1707 ; father of Manasseh, D. D. 

Dinah, bap. Sept. 4, 1709. 40 Jemima, bap. May 27, 1711. 

Uriah, bap. May 29, 1713; went to Morristown, N. J., about 1740. 



Thomas Cutler ra. Sarah Stone, dau. of Samuel and Dorcas 
Stone. She d. Jan. 10, 1750, in her sixty-ninth year. He o. c. 
June 6, 1703, and she joined the ch. July 4, 1708. He was constable 
in 1719, and selectman, 1729, '31, '33, '34. 

Abigail, b. June 2, 1703 ; m. Nov. 18, 1722, Joseph Bridge. 
\David, b. Aug. 26, 1705. 44 Amity, b. Dec. 19, 1707. 

Sarah, b. Jan. 17, 1710. 46 Mary, b. Nov. 8, 1714. 

Hannah, b. May 13, 1717 ; d. June 2, 1724. 
\Thomas, b. Apr. 30, 1719; d. 1760, of small pox. 
Millicent, bap. July 29, 1722; d. Jan, 2, 1741. 



James Cutler m. Alice 



He o. c. Apr. 17, 1715. 



James, h. Apr. 3, 1715; may have been the James C. who d. at 

Salem 1795, aged 80. 
William, bap. Apr. 7, 1717. 
Thankful, (?) bap. Mar. 22, 1719. 

Benjamin Cutler m. Mary . They o. c. June 28, 1724 

and she was ad. to the ch. Feb. 18, 1728. After living together 
more than fifty years he d. Nov, 3, 1776, aged 79 years, and she 
survived him only three days, and d. Nov. 6, 1776, aged 75. Their 
names are both borne on one stone in the Lex. grave yard. He was 
constable in 1739 and 1741. 



GENEALOGICAL IlEGISTER. 



51 



28-53 
54 
55 

56 
57 

58 
59 
60 



12-30- 



30-02 

C3 
64 
65 
67 
68 
69 

20-43- 



Ahigail, b. June 4, 1724; d. yountj. 

\Benjamin, ) . ^ b. Sept. 4, 1725. 

Mary, \ "'""^' ) b. Sept. 4, 1725 ; d. Jan. 26, 1808, a<'ed 83 

Hannah, b. Dec. 27, 1729; d. Oct. 1, 1805, a<;ed 76. 

Elizabeth, h. ]\Iay 11, 1732; m. Apr. 7, 1761, Jacob Kendall, of 

Dunstable. 
Sarah, b. June 17, 1734; m. Oct. 27, 1763, Abijah Child. 
Lydia, b. Aug. 31, 1730; d. in 1740. 
Nathan, b. Aug. 18, 1738. 61 Lydia, b. Feb. 26, 1746. 



John Cutler ni. Jan. 9, 1724, Abigail Stone, dau. of John and 
Mary Stone, b. 1698. They made their confession to the ch. Sept. 
27, 1724. He was ad. to the eh. Feb. 10, 1731, and she was ad. 
Sept. 12, 1742. They moved to Brookfield, to tiic ch. of which they 
were dismissed May 10, 1752. lie was selectman in 1733, and asses- 
sor same year. 

John, b. July 7, 1724; m. 1749, Susanna Hastings, resided several 

years in Shrewsbury, moved to New Ipswich; d. 1771. 
Isaac, b. May 31, 1726; d. Oct. 24, 1745, at Cape Breton. 
Robert, b. Apr. 30, 1728; m. Sept. 3, 1751, Elizabeth Fiske. 
Abijah, h. May 25, 173(t. 66 Josiah, b. Aug. 9, 1732. 

Thaddeus, h. Mar. 15, 1735. 
Joseph, b. July 26, 1737; d. Nov. 1738. 
Joseph, b. Aug. 9, 1739. 69^ Samuel, b. Mar. 7, 1744. 

David Cutleu m. INIary Tidd, dau. of Joseph and Mary Tidd. 
They were ad. to the ch. Apr. 14, 1728. He resided on the old 
homestead near Bedford line. He was constable in 1746, and select- 
man in 1749, '50, '51. 

His will, (lated Sept. 13, 1758, and proved Feb. 9, 1761, mentions 
wife Mary, sons David.- to whom he gave the farm in Western (now 
Warren) on which he then lived, Joseph, to whom he gave tlie place 
in Western on which he then resided. Solomon, to whom he gave 
the southerly part of the homestead, and Thomas, to whom lie gave 
the rest of the home farm ; and dau. Abigail Ilodgman and Mary 
Page. He was a man of good property— his inventory of personal 
property being £373 13s. He made ample provision for his widow, 
providing that Solomon and Thomas should supply her with a horse, 
two cows', and furnish her annually with twelve bushels of corn, four 
of rye, one bushel of malt, sixty pounds of beef, one hundred and 
twenty pounds of pork, three barrels of cider, and ten conls of wood, 
cut up and fit for the fire. He d. Dec. 5, 1760 of small pox ; she d. 
May 20, 1797, aged 93. 

43-70 Abigail, b. May 1, 1728; m. May 7, 1755, Samuel Hodgman of 

Western. ■,-.,■■ c- 

71 David, b. July 15, 1730: m. Oct. 15, 1751, Dorcas Keed, dau. of 
Capt. Benjamin and Rebecca Reed of Lex. He resided for a tune 
in Western, but afterwards moved to Bennington, Vt., and per- 
haps went South. 

72 Joseph, b. May 31, 1733; m. May 6, 1755, Rebecca Howe of Lmc. 
She d., and he m. Mary Reed of Western, and settled there. 

73 Isaac, b. June, 1736; d. Jan., 1737. 

74 Man/, b. Aug. 12, 1738 ; m. Sept. 15, 1758, John Paige of Ilardwick. 

75 K'^oiomon, b. May 15, 1740; m. Rebecca Page of Bedford. 

76 "-Tdornas, b. May 5, 1742 ; m. Abigail Reed of Western. 

77 Elizabeth, b. Aug. 5, 1745; ra. May 3, 1768, Benj. Moore of Lex. 



52 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



78 



20-48- 



48-79 
81 

28-54- 



■ 54-83 
85 

43-75- 



75-86 
88 

43-76- 



76-90 

91 
92 

93 
94 

95 
96 

97 



98 
99 

100 



76-91- 



Amity, b. July 15, 1748; m, Nov. 6, 17C6, Nathan Leonard, of 
Hardwifk. 



Thomas Cutler m, Sarah . They united with the ch. 

Dec. 6, 1741. She d. Jan. 12, 1749, and he m. second, Apr. 10, 
1750, Lydia Simonds. May 17, 1752, Thomas Cutler and his wife 
were dismissed to the church at Western. They both d. 1760, of 
small pox. 



Amos, b. Sept. 28, 1742. 
Ebenezer, bap. May 3, 1747. 



80 Sarah, bap. Apr. 7, 1745. 
82 Bethia, bap. July 22, 1750. 



Benjamin Cutler m. Elizabeth Buttrick of Harvard, Nov. 23, 
1758. They were ad. to the ch. Aug. 5, 1759. 



Dolly, b. May 13, 1759. 
Betty, b. Jan. 16, 1763. 



84 William, b. Feb. 10, 1761. 



Solomon Cutler m. Feb. 23, 1762, Rebecca Page of Bed. They 
were ad. to the ch. Mar. 10, 1765. They moved to Rindge, N. H., 
about 1772, to the ch. of which they were dismissed Feb. 14, 1773. 



Amos, b. Sept. 20, 1762. 
Sarah, b. Oct. 7, 1768. 



87 Rebecca, b. May 20, 1765. 
89 Polly, b. Apr. 16, 1770. 



Thomas Cutler m. Abigail Reed of Western, (now Warren). 
They were admitted to the ch. June 30, 1765. She d. Sept. 26, 
1784, aged 33. He m. Feb. 2, 1786, Elizabeth White, wid. of 
Ebenezer White. Her maiden name was Harrington, dau. of Moses 
Harrington. He d. July 3, 1812, aged 70; she d. Sept. 21, 1834, 
aged 86. His will, dated Dec. 18, 1805, and proved Aug. 12, 1812, 
mentions wife Elizabeth, sons John, Jonas, Amos, Leonard, and Na- 
thaniel, and dau. Nabby Simonds, Polly, Alice, and Betsey. His 
real estate was inventoried at $6,980, and his personal at $1,442. 
Thomas Cutler was a member of Capt. Parker's company in 1775. 

Isaac, b. Aug. 9, 1765; m. Sophia Brown, and , settled in Ashby. 

He d. May 6, 1826. He had six children. 
^Thomas, b. Mar. 18, 1769; m. Rebecca Earl. 
Abigail, b. May 2, 1771 ; m. June 5, 1794, Joshua Simonds. She 

d. Aug. 8, 1837, aged 66. 
'i Nathaniel, b. June 19, 1773 ; m. Anna Child, Waltham. 
Mary, b. July 10, 1775 ; d. May 16, 1819, unra. 
jJohn, h. May 10, 1777 ; in. Almira Flagg, of Mason, N. H. 
Alice, b. June 1, 1779 ; m, Nathaniel Searle, of Mason, N. H. She 

d. Mar. 1815. 
Jonas, h. Mar. 3, 1782 ; m. Martha, dau. of Amos Marrett. He 

settled in Westminster ; d. Jan. 29, 1830, aged 48, leaving three 

children. 
\Amos, b. Nov. 9, 1786 ; m. Rachel Flagg, of Mason, N. H. 
Betsey, b. Oct. 27, 1789; m. Dec. 13, 1815, John Bacon, of Bed. 

She was living, 1858. 
^Leonard, b. Apr. 21, 1791 ; m. Maria Cutter. 



Thomas Cutler m. Alice Niles. He settled in Ashby. What 
time he left Lex. is not exactly known. He was taxed in Lex. 1799, 
and his name was placed upon the tax bill in 1800, and then his 
name and tax are erased. Probably they left town early that year. 
The births of his two oldest children are recorded in Lex. Records 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



91-101 
102 
103 
104 

105 
106 

107 
108 



76-93- 



93-109 



no 

111 
112 



76-95- 



95-113 
114 

115 
116 
117 

118 

119 

120 



76-98- 



98-121 
122 
123 
124 
125 



as children of Thomas Cutler and Ellis his wife. Two years after 
the birth of his second child, the church records associate liehccca 
with hnn as his wife ; from which we infer that he buried his wife 
Elhs, or Alice, and m, Rebecca Earl about 1798. He d. in Bedford 
Feb. 14, 1833, aged 64. 

Charles, b. Feb. 3, 1795; m. Prudence Ilolden, in Ashby. 

Abigail, h. Aug. 27, 1796 ; ra. Green. 

Marshall, b. ; m. Catharine "Wood ; d. at iMoljile. 



; m. first, Maria AV'ood, second, Louisa Wheat. 



Thomas C, b. 

Lives in Bedford. 

Rebecca, b. ; d. unm. aged 21. 

Nathaniel, b. ; ra. first, Susan Lane; second, Wheeler; 

third, wid. Clemens. Lives in Bedford. 

Leonard, b. ; d. unm. aged 21. 

Alice Searle, b. ; m. Hassington.^ 

Nathaniel Cutler m. Apr. 4, 1799, Anna Child, dau. of Abi- 
jah Child, of Waltham, b. Nov. 14, 1775. He purchased the White 
place in the south part of Lex. on what is now Concord Avenue, 
where he d. Sept. 3, 1849, aged 76. She d. Mar. 22, 1863, aged 87. 

Isaac, b. Mar. 30, 1800; m. Nov. 24, 1825, LydiaBraman, of Nor- 
ton. He settled in Con. in 1839, moved to Carab. was alderman, 
1855, '56, and '57. They had five children, viz. first, George 
Henry, b. 1826 ; m. Mary Ann Rice, and second, Lydia Ann Hol- 
brook. Second, Wm. Francis, b. 1828; m. Margaret ScoUey ; d. 
1857. Third, Lydia, b. 1830. Fourth, Edwin Braman, b. 1831. 
Fifth, Frances, b. 1839. 

\ Thomas, b. Nov. 15, 1801 ; m. Sarah Smith, Dec. 28, 1828. 

\Curtis, b. Jan. 1, 1806; m. Clarissa W. Morrell. 

Eliza Ann, b. Oct. 14, 1813; m. May, 1839, Theo. P. Wood, of 
Gardner. He d. June 15, 1843, and she m. Dec. 25, 1844, Fran- 
cis Richardson, of Gardner. 



John Cutler m. Jan. 19, 1813, Almira Flagg, of Mason, N. H. 
He lived on the homestead, and d. Mar. 12, 1828. She was 
living on the old place in 1858. 

Emily, b. Sept. 10, 1813; m. D. C. Chamberlain, of Somerville. 

Alice, b. Feb. 19, 1815; m. G. C. Hawkins, Lex., second, E. C. 
Mann, Somerville. 

Cynthia, b. June 16, 1816 ; m. J. Lathrop ; went to Wisconsin. 

John Eeed, b. Sept. 20, 1819 ; r. at Napoleon, Ark. 

Hiram, b. Sept. 21, 1821; m. Rebecca Hawkins, and r. at North- 
wood, N. H. 

Artemas, b. Nov. 12, 1823 ; m. Mary J. Batchelder, and r. at East 
Cambridge. 

Marcellus, b. July 23, 1826; d. Mar. 23, 1839. 

Qeorge Martin, b. Oct. 27, 1828; m. Lucy A. Burrell; r. in Illinois. 

Amos Cutler m. Rachel Flagg, of Mason, N. H., where he d. 
Dec. 1823. 

Frederick P., b. Oct. 26, 1813 ; r. in Brattleboro', Vt. 

Elbridge, b. Mar. 3, 1815 ; died young. 

David A., b. Apr. 12, 1816; m. Martha Nutting. 

Lucy Ann, b. ; m. Flanders. 

Edward W., b. ; m. Foss. 

65 



54 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



126 

127 



76-100- 



100-128 
129 
130 
131 
133 
134 
135 



93-110- 



110-136 
137 

138 
139 
140 

141 

142 

93-111- 



111-143 
144 

110-136- 



Rebecca J., b. 

Amos Elbridge, b. 



m. Addison Parker. 
— ; in. Belinda Johonnot, Woburn. 



Leonard Cutler m. May 21, 1826, Maria Cutter, of West Cam- 
bridge, and settled on a part of the homestead. He d. 1853. 

Cornelia Maria, b. 1828; m. Samuel R. Duren, Wo. 

Abby Sarah, h, 1830; m. Joseph R. Kendall. 

Anna Bacon, b. 1832, m. Lewis Spaulding, of Bedford. 

Isabella, b. 1834. 132 James Russell, b. 1838. 

Ci/rus Morton, b. 1841. He was in the Army of the Potomac. 

Llla Adine, b. 1843. 

Alfred Dennis, b. 1848 ; was in the service in the 6th Mass. V. M. 



Thomas Cutler ra. Dec. 28, 1828, Sarah Smith, of Waltham, b. 
Nov. 30, 1806. They reside on Concord Avenue, on the farm ior- 
nierly occupied by his father. She d. Sept. 26, 1864, aged 57. 

\ Thomas Everett, b. Apr. 1, 1830; m. Melinda W. Houghton. 
Albert Curtis, b. Mar. 26, 1831 ; m. Apr. 9, 1853, Eliza M. Tyler, 

of Waltham, where he resides. 
Sarah Ann, h. Jan. 11, 1835 ; d. Aug. 29, 1859. 
Franklin, b. Oct. 11, 1837 ; d. Jan. 15, 1860. 
Eliza Wood, b. Aug. 10, 1840 ; m. Apr. 30, 1865, F. D. Wellington, 

of Lincoln. 
Charles, b. June 10, 1842 ; d. Aug. 29, 1862, of disease contracted 

in the army. 
Clara, b. July 4, 1846. 



Curtis Cutler was grad. at H. C, 1829, studied theology, and 
was settled in Gardner, Oct. 30, 1833; m. May 19. 1835, Clarissa 
W. Morrell, dau. of Ambrose Morrell, Lex. He left Gardner, 
1839, and was installed at Peterboro', N. H., Jan. 30, 1840, as col- 
league with Abiel Abbot, D.D. In 1848, he left Peterboro' and 
moved to Lex. In 1850, in consequence of a bronchial affection, he 
gave up his profession, and engaged in mercantile pursuits with the 
firm of Wm. Underwood & Co., Boston. In 1855, he represented 
the town in the General Court, and in the autumn of that year 
moved to Camb. To him we are indebted for much of the infor- 
mation concerning this family. 

Sarah M., born in Gardner, Apr. 14, 1838. 
Annie C, b. in Peterboro, N. H., Mar. 12, 1845. 



Thomas Everett Cutler m. Aug. 20, 1861, Melinda W. 
Houghton, dau. of Samuel Houghton, They have Charles F., b. 
Nov. 2, 1862, Ida Warren, b. Oct. 12, 1864, Edward Everett, b. 
May 12, 1866. 

It has been difKcult in some cases to distinguish the name from 
that of Cutter, which is found in a few instances upon the Lex. 
records. There are several other families mentioned on Lex. records, 
but probably they resided there only temporarily. 



THE CUTTER FAMILY. 

RicnARD Cutter, of Cambridge, ad. freeman, June 2, 1641 ; d. 
June 18, 1693, aged about 72. He had two wives, by whom he had 
fourteen children, among whom was Nathaniel, b. Dec. 11, 1663. 



1- 2 
3 
4 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 55 

He m. Oct. 8, 1688, Mary Fillebrown. She d. May U, 1713, and he 
married Elizabeth. lie had seven children, among wlioin was .Toii.y 
Cutter, bap. Apr. 2."^ 1701. What time he came into Lex. wc are 
not able to say. His name is found on onr first tax bilU'xtant, viz , 
1729. His name continues on the tax bill till 1747, when we hud 
the name of wid. Cutter. He probably d. 1747. He m. Rachel 
, and had several children. Among them were Abigail, b. 



Aug. 15, 1735, and Benjamin, b. Apr. 24, 1738. 



THE DAMON FAMILY. 

There have been a few persons of this name in town from time to 
time, but no permanent residents till recently. 

John Damon, b. in England, 1021, came to this country from 
Reading, Eng., and settled in Reading, Mass., where he was dea. of 
the ch. and where he d. Apr. tS, 1708. He had six children. Sam- 
uel, his son, b. June 23, 165(), m. Mary , who d. Nov. 29, 

1727, aged 71, and he d. June 12, 1724, aged 68. They had nine 
children. Ebenezer, son of Sanil. b. Aug. 9, 1686; m. Elizabeth 

, and had seven children. David, son of J]benezer, b. Mar. 

2, 1710; m. Apr. 7, 1731, Esther Gowing, and had ten children. 
Benjamin, son of David, b. June 0, 1759; m. Dec. 13, 1782, Anar 
Tratt. He settled in Ashby, where he d. Sept. 24, 1832, aged 73 ; 
she d. Oct. 14, 1838, aged 84. They had eight children. Isaac, 
second son of Benj., b. Mar. 31, 1785; m. Lucy Houghton, who d. 
and he m. Ruth Shattuck. He d. Apr. 1848, aged 63. He had 
three children by his first wife, who d. Apr. 20, 1826. 

Isaac Newton Damon, the oldest child of Isaac, b. in Ashby, 
Dec. 14, 1812; m. Lucy K. Wright, dau. of Isaac Wright, b. Dec. 
27, 1817. He came to Lex. in 1836, where he has since resided. 
He has filled the office of selectman, treasurer, &c., is a justice of 
the peace, and an assistant assessor in the internal revenue service. 

Lusanna Phelps, b. Sept. 28, 1843. 
Myron Bates, b. June 27, 1854. 
Florence Maria, b. Apr. 28, 1856. 



DANFORTH.— Danforth is a name which appears occasionally 
on Lex. records. In 1738 we find this record, -" Amos Merriam 
and Hannah Danforth, both of Lex., were joined in marriage." 
There were Danforths in Camb. and in Bil. at an early day, and 
some from these families probably came to Lex. for a short time. 
In 1774, Benjamin Danforth, wife, and three children, among them 
Benjamin, Jr., came to Lex. from Bedford. As their names appear 
upon the tax bill up to 1785, and then disappear, it is probable that 
thev left town about that time. 

THE DAVIS FAMILY. 

Joseph Davis, son of Thomas Davis of Ilolden, and Lattice his 
wife was b. May 5, 1794, and m. May 31, 1823, Betsey G. Babcock, 
dau ' of Amos and Betsey (Gar.lner) liabcock, of Princeton ; b. 
Oct 18 1799 His father was a soldier in the Revolution, and was 
in the battles' of Bunker Hill, Bennington, White Plains, &c. Jo- 
seph resided in Princeton, where he kept a public house. In 18.W 
he moyed to Lex. and resumed his occupation as an inn-holder, 



56 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 

3 
4 



1- 2 



which he continued about ten years. Most of his children were b. 
in Princeton. He was several years one of the overseers of the 
poor in Lex. 

Horace B., b. May 10, 1824; m. June 2, 1852, Annie Stevens, dau. 

of William and Nancy Stevens. They have Frank S., b. June 7, 

1857, and William Henry, b. Dec. 11, 1862. 
Charles E., b. Sept. 1, 1826 ; m. May, 1860, Eliza J. Tilton ; r. in 

Brooklyn, N. Y. 
George 0., b. Feb. 15, 1832 ; m. Sept. 2, 1858, Caroline E. Bridge, 

dau. of Samuel and Maria (Wellington) Bridge. They have 

Frederick G., b. Aug. 8, 1859, Charles B., b. Jan. 2, 1861, Harry 

W., b. Feb. 28, 1863. He has been some fifteen years in the 

Boston Custom House. 
Agnes, b. in Lex. Dec. 3, 1834; d. unm. Dec. 7, 1859. 



John Davis, son of Amos and Elizabeth Davis, of Gloucester, 
b. Oct. 15, 1794; m. Oct 13, 1819, Mary F. Phelps, b. Oct. 1, 1795, 
dau. of Henry and Mary Phelps. He came to Lex. 1831. He held 
the office of postmaster twenty-five years — good evidence of his 
fidelity. 

Mary A. E., b. Oct. 29, 1824; m. her cousin John Davis, Nov. 20, 
1844. They have had Mary E., b. in Charlestown, Jan. 12, 1846, 
d. 1862 ; Ellen Amelia, b. Mar. 18, 1848 ; Florence W., b. in Lex. 
Oct. 16, 1852; Alice P., b. Apr. 19, 1855; Edith F., b. Jan. 9, 
1858, d. 1859; John H., b. June 21, 1860; Hannah E., b. June 
26, 1863; Frank W., b. June 9, 1866. 

John W., b. July 1, 1829; d. Feb. 19, 1832. 

Eliza J., b. July 1, 1834. 



DIAMOND. — William Diamond came to Lex. from Boston in 
1772, and in 1783 m. Rebecca Simonds. He was taxed in town 
for several years, but I find no record of any children. 



THE DORR FAMILY. 

Joseph Dorr came to this country from Eng., 1670. Edward, 

his son, m. Elizabeth , about 1682. They r. in Roxbury, and 

had seven children. Ebenezer, their second son, b. Jan. 25, 1687, 
m. Feb. 16, 1709, Mary Boardman, b. May 16, 1689. They had 
ten children. Ebenezer, second son of Ebenezer, b. Feb. 2, 1712, 
m. Amy Plympton, b. Mar. 5, 1714. They had thirteen children. 
He d. Aug. 8, 1782, aged 70. Ebenezer, second son of Ebenezer, 
b. Mar. 20, 1738, m. Jan. 7, 17G2, Abigail Cummings, b. July 11, 
1739. They had twelve children. He d. Sept. 29, 1809, aged 71. 
John, fourth son of Ebenezer, .b. Oct. 2, 1770, m. Dec. 11, 1793, 
Esther Goldthwait, dau. of Benjamin G., and Sarah White (Dawes) 
Goldthwait. She d. July 28, 1840. He d. Aug. 10, 1855, aged 85. 
He more than sustained the character of the family — having had ten 
sons and nine daughters, all by one wife. 

Theodore Haskell, the 16th child of John and Esther, b. Aug. 
13, 1815, m. May 30, 1839, Nancy Caroline Richards, dau. of Joseph 
and Alice Richards, b. Jan. 10, 1817. He graduated atH. C, 1835, 
entered the ministry, and was settled at Billerica, May 28, 1839, left 
in 1843 ; settled in East Lex., July 2, 1845, left in 1849 ; settled at 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



57 



1- 2 
3 
4 



1- 2 

3 

4 

6 
6 

7 



1-4- 



3- 9 

10 
11 
12 
13 
14 



Winchendon, June 



2, 1852, left 1853 ; settled at Sherborne, Dec 3 
1854, left May, 18b3. After leaving Sherborne he came to I ex ' 
where he now resides. " "' 

EstUr (?., b. July 2, 1840 ; m. May 9, 18G0, E. R. Taul, of Sherborne 

Tlieodore H., b. Apr. 16, 1842; d. 1849. 

Jolin, b. June 18, 1844. lie entered the service of the U. S., 1862, 

as a sergeant for nine months, and served in N. C. Afte'rwarda 

for one hundred days as first licut. 
Josei)h Richards, h. Nov. 7, 1848. G Dudley A., b. Nov. 20, 1850. 
An infant, b. Dec. 28, 1854 ; d. same day, 
Arthur, b. Sept. 14, 1857. 



THE DOWNING FAMILY. 

Samuel Downing probably came to Lex. about 1777. From 
what place he came the records do not determine. He was first 
taxed in Lex. in 1778. He m. June 19, 1783, Susanna Brown, dau. 
of Benjamin and Sarah (Reed) Brown, who was b. June 17, 1764 
She d. May 1, 1843, aged 79. 

Polly, b. Oct. 21, 1783; ra. June 1, 1805, Samuel Butterfield of 
West Camb. 

Oliver, h. Mar. 10, 1785; resides in Boston. 

\8anmel, b. Oct. 30, 1787 ; m. first, Lucy Learned, and second, Lydia 
Blodgett, Nov. 11, 1819. 

Susanna, b. Nov. 20, 1788 ; m. May 19, 1817, Daniel Chandler. 

Sally, b. Nov. 23, 1790; m. Daniel' Rhodes of Boston, where she d. 

Lewis, b. June 23, 1792 ; m. Lucy Wheelock of Con. He moved to 
Concord, N. H., where he has become famous as a coach manu- 
facturer. 

William, h. Sept. 1796. He entered the service of the United 
States in the war of 1812, and was mortally wounded at the battle 
of Lundy's Lane, and d. the day following, July 26, 1814. 



Samuel Downing m. Lucy Learned of Wat. She d. Oct. 1, 

1816, aged 28, and he m. second, Nov. 11, 1819, Lydia Blodgett, 
dau. of Nathan Blodgett. 

Learned, h. Jan. 26, 1810. He is a trader in Charlestown. 

Susan, b. Sept. 25, 1811. _ 

William, h. June 14, 1815 ; is a merchant al St. Louis. 
Edward, b. Nov. 29, 1820; resides in Boston. 
Lucy Ann, b. May 27, 1827 ; is a teacher. 
Theodore, b. Sept. 14, 1832. 



Andrew J. Downing, of Newburg, N. Y., who perished on board 
the Henry Clay at New York, July 28, 1852, and who was distin- 
guished throughout the country as a horticulturalist and landscape 
gardener, and who was well known across the Atlantic by his publi- 
cations on those subjects ; was a near relative of the first-named 
Samuel Downing. 



DRAPER. — William Draper came to Lex. from Roxbury in 
1782, and the same year m. Sarah Barnes, " both of Lex.." He prob- 
ably left soon after. Oct. 5, 1783, Jonas Draper, their child, was 
bap. She was ad. to the ch. Oct. 1, 1775. 



58 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 
3 

4 
5 
6 

7 

1-3- 



3- 8 
9 

10 
12 
13 
15 

3-12- 



12-16 
18 
20 
21 
22 
24 
26 

12-16- 



16-27 
29 
31 

* 32 
34 
36 



16-31- 



THE DUDLEY FAMILY. 

This family was never very numerous in Lex., nor were they among 
the early settlers — the name appearing on the records in 1779, for 
the first time. The family was first located in Concord, and from 
thence may have moved to Sudbury. 

Francis Dudley, a supposed relation of Gov. Thomas Dudley, 
was b. in England, and, emigrating to this country, settled in Con. 
perhaps about 1663. Hem, Sarah Wheeler, of Con., Oct. 26, 1665, 
and probably remained in that town till his decease. His wife d. 
Dec. 12, 1713. 



Mary, m. Joseph Fletcher. 

\Joseph, ra. Abigail Gobble. 

Samuel, b. 1668 ; ra. first, Abigail King, and second, Lydia 

Sarah, d. 1701. 

John, m. Hannah Poulter, of Medford. May 16, 1697. 

Francis, m. first, Sarah , and second, Abigail . 



I 



Joseph Dudley m. 1691, Abigail Gobble, and d. at Con., Nov. 
3, 1702, where his children were all born. 



■A 



Jane, b. Mar. 26, 1693. 

\Joseph, b. Apr. 20, 1697. 

Benjamin, b. Mar. 20, 1698. 14 Mary, b. Feb. 8, 1700. 

Sibella, b. Sept. 22, 1702 ; m. Jonathan Brown, Sept. 5, 1718. 



m. Dec. 17, 1713, John Davis. 
11 James, b. . 



Joseph Dudley m. Oct. 2, 1718, Mary Chandler, dau. of Sam'l 
and Dorcas Chandler. Their three last children were b. at Sud., 
the others in Concord. 

^Joseph, b. Julv 24, 1719. 17 Eliza, b. Feb. 14, 1721. 

Mary, b. Jan. 17, 1723. 19 Samuel, b. Mar. 7, 1725. 

Lucy, b. Apr. 1, 1727 ; m. Dec. 6, 1744, John Perry. 
Abigail, b. about 1730 ; ra. Apr. 12. 1759, Sarauel Howe. 

Ebenezer, b. about 1735. 23 William, b. about 1740. 

Sarah, b. Oct. 13, 1754. 25 Nahum, b. May 4, 1757. 
Daniel, b. Feb. 22, 1763. 



Joseph Dudley m. Jan. 16, 1741, Mary Brown. They moved 
from Concord to Sudbury. 



Benjamin, b. Nov. 25, 1741. 
Samuel, b. Sept. 29, 1746. 
\Nathan, b. June 17, 1755. 
Abishai, b. July 24, 1758. 
Rebecca, b. Aug. 28, 1763. 
Moses, b. Jan. 31, 1769. 



28 Joseph, b. Sept. 16, 1743. 
30 Mary, b. Aug. 4, 1749. 



The last three were b. in Sudbury 



33 Abigail, b. June 13, 1761. 
35 Submit, b. Aug. 16, 1765. 
37 Luther, b. May 5, 1772. 



Nathan Dudley m. first, Sarah Munroe, of Lin., June 24, 1786. 
They came into Lex. in 1779 ; he was first taxed in 1780. He and 
his wife Sarah were ad. to the ch. Jan. 27, 1790. She d. Jan. 16, 
1801, and he m. second, Mrs. Hannah Lane, and d. July 17, 1835, 
aged 80 years. The last two children were by his second wife. He 
was a lieut. in the Lex. artillery. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



59 



31-38 
39 

40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 

31-40- 



40-46 
47 
48 
49 
51 
53 



Sally, b. Oct. 16, 1786 ; m. John Viles. Jan. 12, 1806. 

Nathan, b. Apr. 3, 1789; d. Feb. 3, 1795. 

■]John, b. Kov. 18, 1790. 

Polly, h. Sept. 18, 1792; m. Thomas Johnson, of Wo., Sept. 8, 1811. 

Rebecca, b. Aug. 14, 1794; d. Apr. 12, 1795. 

Betsey, b. June 1, 1798; m. Solomon ll.irrington. 

Rebecca, b. Dec. 31, 1808; m. William Sbaw, of Wo. 

Nathan, b. July 29, 1810. 



John Dudley m. Esther E. Smith, of Sterling, lie loft Lex. 
before his marriage, and returned for a short time. His lirst and 
second child were born while here. lie moved to Kox., where he r. 

John W., b. and d. at Lex. 

Eliza, b. at Lex. ; m. George W. Fowle. 

Sarah D., b. , m. Rev. Joshua B. Ilolman. 

Martha A., b. . 50 Nathan A., b. Aug. 20, 1825. 

Caroline M., b. . 52 Andrew J., b. ; d. j-oung. 

Charles H., b. . 54 John E., b. . 



1- 2 
4 
6 

7 



THE DUNKLEE FAMILY. 

The name of Dunklee appears on the town and church records as 
early as 1701. We cannot give a connected view of this family ; 
though it appears that Nathaniel Dunklee and wife were received 
into the church by a letter of dismission from the church at Water- 
town, Auf. 25, 1705. Mr. Dunklee appears to have been an ardent 
man — a great saint and a great sinner. He in his weakness violated 
the eighth commandment by taking the property of others ; but then 
he made a public confession which would tlirow the penitential psalms 
of the king of Israel nearly into the shade. He confesses his re- 
peated thefts, and that he has no cause to comi)lain of those who 
brought him to justice, — declaring that when the righteous smite 
him, It shall be a kindness to him, promises to give glory to God by 
confession and reformation, and hopes that his great sins may be 
the means of preserving himself and all others from temptation. 
On a confession thus full and penitent, thus submissive and prayerful, 
he was of course restored to his standing in the church, which he 
appears to have regarded as the very gate of heaven. The reader 
will join with us in the hope that he was never afterward " led mto 

temptation." , , , /- n • *i 

We are not quite sure, but presume that the loUowing are the 
children and descendants of Natuaniel Dunklee, and Mary his 
wife. 



1 6- 



3 Elnathan, bap. Apr. 11, 1703. 
5 Hannah, bap. May 8, 1707. 



David, bap. Sept. 21, 1701. 

Jonathan, bap. Jan. 7, 1705. 

\Hezekiali, bap. Nov. 21, 1708. , , -r ^ ^--.o 

Robert, bap. Apr. 9, 1710, and ad. to the eh. Jan. /, 1/28. 



2- 



10 



Hezekiah Dunklee m. Nov. 17, 1734, Daraaris Wilson. He 
probably left town about the first of 1743, as his wife at that time 
was dismissed to the ch. at Billerlca. 



Hezekiah, b. Sept. 17, 1735. 
Damaris, b. Mar. 16, 1739. 



9 Nathaniel, b. Feb. 23, 1737. 



60 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 

3 
4 
5 
6 



THE DUPEE FAMILY. 

Elias Dupee, b. Jan. 22, 1806; m. June 20, 1830, Mary Ann 
Blodgett, dau. of James Blodgett. He was b. in Boston. 



George C, b. Dec. 29, 1832; m. Nelly Tibbitts, r. in Boston and 

N. r. 

Lyman S., b. Feb. 17, 1834. 

Elias A., h. Apr. 20, 1836 ; m. Susan Winn, r. in Arlington. 
Charles S., b. June 18, 1842; m. Hattie Shattuck, r. in Arlington. 
Theodore D., b. Nov. 16, 1849. 



THE DUREN FAMILY. 

John Duren, or Durant, as the family formerly spelt the name, 
was in Billerica at an early day, and m. Susanna Dutton, Nov. 16, 
1670. They had at least four children, two of each sex. He d. in 
prison in Camb. Oct. 27, 1692, a victim of the witchcraft delusion. 
John, the eldest son of John, was b. July 31, 1672 ; m. Aug. 10, 
1695, Elizabeth Jaquith'. He d. Feb. 25, 1757, aged 85. They had 
eight children. Abraham, the youngest son of John, was b. Apr. 1, 
1709 ; m. May 20, 1736, Rachel Manning. They had nine children 
b. in Billerica where they resided. Abraham, the eldest son of 
Abraham, b. Oct. 4, 1737; m. Nov. 1, 1764, Lydia Gould, of 
Chelmsford. He d. Nov. 6, 1776. An anecdote is told of his wife 
which shows the energy of the woman, and the spirit of the times. 
On the 18th of April, 1775, her husb.and being in feeble health, she 
mounted their horse, and with her panniers set out for market at 
Boston, a distance of twenty miles or more ; and having accomplished 
her business at Boston, returned as far as Arlington, and stopped 
for the night. While she was there, she saw the British troops pass 
on their way to Lex. and Con. The next morning she started for 
home, and stopping at Lex. she went into the meeting-house to see 
the slaughtered men killed by the British a few hours before. Such 
were the women of the Revolution. — Abraham and Lydia had four 
children. Abraham, the youngest child, was b. Sept. 16, 1776 ; m. 
Oct. 25, 1801, Mary Russell, dau. of Jesse Russell, of Wo., where 
he settled. He d. Oct. 14, 1822, and she d. May 28, 1864. The 
neighborhood where he resided bears the name of Durenville, in 
honor of him. He had five children. Samuel R., b. May 29, 1803 ; 
m. Sybil Spaulding and Ann Searl. He d. Oct. 6, 1862; Lydia, b. 
Dec. 13, 1805; m. Joseph Kendall; Warren, b. Apr. 14, 1809; he 
has been twice married ; William, b. June 5, 1813 ; m. Feb. 4, 1845, 
Rebecca A. Locke; Abraham, b. Nov. 21, 1815; m. Apr. 5, 1842, 
Prudence Simonds. 



Warren Duren, the second son of Abraham mentioned above, 
m. June 2, 1833, Mary Ann Marrett, dau. of Rev. Daniel and Mary 
(Muzzy) Marrett, of Standish, Me. She d. Oct. 4, 1839, and he 
m. Oct. 18, 1848, Mary Chandler, dau. of William Chandler, Esq., 
of Lex. He had one child by his first wife, viz. Caroline Augusta, 
b. Oct. 25, 1835, and d. May 13, 1852, aged 17 years. He moved 
to Lex. Sept. 1850. He has served several times on the board of 
overseers of the poor. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



Gl 



1- 2 
3 
4 



1-2- 



2- 6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

1-3- 



THE ESTABROOK FAMILY. 

Thoufrh the Estabrooks were not among the first settlers of Lex- 
ington, they came liere quite early, and became prominent, both in 
the church and in the town. Lexington's first minister, and two of 
her earlydeacons, bore that name. The Estabrooks appear to have 
been a ministerial family. Their ancestor, Rev. Joseph Estabruok, 
came from England in 16()(), with two brothers, one of whom settled 
in Con., and the other in Swanzey. Joseph entered IL ('., where 
he was graduated in 1G<U, and was settled In Con. in ]G(')7, as col- 
league with Rev. Mr. Buckley, where he continued till his death, 
Avhich happened in 1711. 

Rev. Joseph Estabuook had four sons, as follows : 

\ Joseph, b. 16(59 ; d. in Lex. Sept. 23, 1733. 
jBenJamiii, b. Feb. 24, 1671 ; d. in Lex. July 22, 1697. 
Samuel, b. 1674; was grad. at 11. C. 169(!, and settled as a clergy- 
man in Canterbury, Connecticut, where he d. in 1727. 
jDaniel, b. Feb. 14,' 1676; d. at Sudbury, 1735. 



Joseph Estabuook m. first, Dec. 31, 1689, Millicent Woodis, or 
Woodhouse, dau. of Henry Woodhouse, of Con. She d. Mar 30, 
1692, and he m. second, Aug. '2o, 1793, wid. Hannah Loring, of 
Hingham. He first settled in Hinghain, where he and his wile united 
with the ch. from which they were dismissed to the ch. in Lex. in 
1710. He was an active and influential member of the Lex. ch. and 
represented it on many public occasions. He was elected dea. in 
1716, and remained in that office till his death, Sept. 23, 1733, He 
was highly respected as a townsman, and filled almost every office 
within their gift. He commanded a military company, and filled the 
office of town clerk, treasurer, assessor, selectman, and representa- 
tive to the General Court. He was a man of more than ordinary 
education for that day, was often employed as a surveyor, and was 
engaged to teach the first man's school in the town. I cannot state 
the precise time when he removed to Lex., but as he bought two 
hundred acres of land in the precinct in 1693, and was elected to 
office in 1696, it is probable that he came into the place between those 
periods. He bought his farm of Edward Pelham, then of R. I., 
and it is described in the deed as being bounded northeasterly by 
the C!ook farm, and southwesterly by the Concord road, till it comes 
to Vine Brook. This included the places now occupied by Mrs. L. 
Turner, extending to the brook in front, and back to or beyond the 
place owned by Mr. Hayes under the hill. 

\Jnseph, b. Oct. 10, 1690; d. Aug. 19, 1740. 

\john b. July 28, 1694 ; m. Oct. 27, 1720, Prudence Harrington. 

Solomon, b. Dec. 22, 1696 ; d. July 7, 1697. 

Hannah, b. Mar. 2, 1698; m. May 23, 1717, Joseph Frost. 

Millice/tt, b. Mar. 21, 1699. 11 Elijah, b. Aug. 25, 1703. 



Benjamin Estabrook was grad. at H. C. 1690, and %vas settled 
over ihe first church at Cambridge Farms, (now Lex.,) Oct. 6, 1696. 
But his ministry was of short duration. On the 22d of July, 1697, 
he was removed from his earthly labors by death, afler a ministry of 
only nine months. He m. Nov. 29, 1693. Abigail WiUard, dau. of 
Rev Samuel WiUard, of the Old South Church, Boston. She was 
one of a family of twenty children. Rev. Mr. Estabrook d. greatly 
lamented by his people. He left two children, Benjamin, b. Dec. 
66 



62 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1-5- 



2-G- 



6-12 
13 
14 
15 
Ifi 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 



2-7- 



7-23 
24 
25 
26 

27 
28 
29 
30 

6-17- 



13, 1695, and Richard, b. July 5, 1G97, but a few days before the 
death of hia father. His wid. in. Rev. Samuel Treat, of Eastham, a 
son of Gov. Treat, of Connecticut. She d. Dec. 27, 1745, aged 82. 
By Mr. Treat she had three children, one of whom, Eunice, m. Rev. 
Thomas Paine, of Weymouth, and had, among other children, Robert 
Treat Paine, who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, Attorney-General of this State, and one of the Justices 
of the Supreme Court. 



Daniel Estabrook m. Abigail Flint, of Con. He first settled 
in Lex., where he had several children. Subsequetitly they removed 
to Weston, and, in 1715, he and his wife were ad. to the ch. in that 
place. He afterwards moved to Sudbury, where he d., 1735. He 
had Abigail, bap. in Lex. Sept. 27, 1702. David and Samuel, bap. 
in Lex., Jan. 21, 1705, and Aug. 20, 1710, were probably his children. 



Joseph Estabrook m. July 8, 1713, Submit Loring, his step- 
sister. She d. Mar. 31, 1718, in childbed, and he m. Mar. 26, 1719, 
Hannah Bowman. Like his father, he was captain of the company, 
and dea. of the ch., and like him filled almost every important office 
in town — assessor, treasurer, clerk, and selectman. He d. Aug. 19, 
1740, and his wid. m. July 19, 1753, Capt. Benj. Reed, and d. Apr. 
15, 1774, aged 72 years. 

Joseph, b. June 27, 1714 ; d. July 17, 1714. 

Joseph, b. Mar. 16, 1718; d. Mar. IS, same year. 

Joseph, b. Apr. 9, 1720; d. Dec. 7, 1747. 

Hannah, b. Sept. 22, 1725; d. Sept. 29, 1728. 

Benjamin, b. Oct. 9, 1727 ; d. Sept. 29, 1728. 

\Benjamin, b. Dec. 20, 1729 ; m. May 9, 1757, Hannah Hubbard. 

Hannah, b. Oct. 6, 1731 ; m. May 7, 1752, Ebenezer Hubbard. 

Solomon, b. June 10, 1733; d. Oct. 1, 1733. 

Samuel, b. June 25, 1735 ; entered H. C. ; d. July 14, 1754. 

Millicent, b. July 25, 1738; m. July 4, 1758, Jas. Barrett, of Con. 

Ebenezer, b. Sept. 21, 1740; m. Dec. 13, 1759, Ruth Reed, b. Nov. 
7, 1741, dau. of Capt. Isaac and Rebecca Reed. They had Molly, 
bap. in Lex. June 3, 1760. They removed to Holden. Their 
descendants at the present day are found in that town and vicinity. 



John Estabrook m. Oct. 27, 1720, Prudence Harrington. He 
was constable, 1737. and 1738. He d. June 19, 1742, and his wid. 
m. 1748, Benjamin Munroe, of Weston, the youngest son of Wm. 
Munroe, the original emigrant, who settled in Lex. She was his 
second wife, and d. 1778. 



Grace, b. Aug. 13, 1721 ; m. 



Hurd. 



Prudence, b. Mar. 28, 1724; m. Richard Winship. 

Millicent, b. July 11, 1727 ; m. Harris. 

John, b. Oct. 20, 1729 ; probably he is the John Estabrook who 
settled in Westminster, and had by his wife Anna fourteen children. 

Abigail, b. Mar. 11, 1731 ; m. Hunt. 

Elizabeth, b. Nov. 21, 1734. 

\Nehemiah, b. Mar. 2, 1738; m. Mar. 1, 1759, Elizabeth Winship. 

Anna, b. Feb. 11, 1740; m. Kidder. 



Benjamin Estabrook m. May 9, 1757, Hannah Hubbard, of 
Con. They were ad. to the ch. in Lex. June 22, 1758. He d. Mar. 
8, 1803, aged 74; she d. Jan. 12, 1803, aged 67. He was many 
years a coroner and a justice of the peace. He was in the campaign 
to Ticonderoga in 1776. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



63 



17-31 



32 
38 
34 



35 

36 
37 
38 



39 



7-29- 



29-40 
41 

42 
43 
44 
45 
46 
47 
48 
49 
50 

17-33- 



33-51 
52 
63 
54 
55 
56 

17-36- 



36-57 

58 
59 



Joseph, b. :Mar. 4, 1758 ; grad. at H. C. 1782. He entered the min- 
istry, and was ordained at Athol, Nov. 21, 1787. He d. Apr. :5(), 
18o0, in the eighty-(irst year of his age, and the forty-third year 
of his ministry. 

Hannah, b. Jan. 20, 1760; m. Dea. Ebenezer Lawrcnec, of Wo. 

\Benjamin, h. Mar. 23. 1762; m. Esther Russell. 

SamweZ, b. Nov. 15, 1764; hem. first, Polly Creasy, and second, 
Nabby Warren. He lived in Brookline, but at last returned to 
Lex., where he d. July 20, 1814. 

Martha, b. June 22, 1765 ; m. Edmund Walden, and moved to Ster- 
ling, where she d. i\Iar. 1822. 

]Attai, b. June 14, 1769; d. Sept. 29, 1836. 

Nathan, bap. May 10, 1772 ; m. Sarah Smith, and moved to Ashby. 

Solomon, b. Dec. 18, 1774; m. Luey Davis, of New Ipswich, where 
he resided for a time, when he returned to Lex. and d. Aug. 12, 
1825, without issue. 

MilUcent, b. June 8, 1777 ; m. Wm. Stearns, of Walt., and d. 1844. 



Nehemtah Estabrook m. Mar. 1, 1759, Elizabeth Winship, dau. 
of Samuel and Hannah W^inship, b. May 23, 1740. He was a soldier 
from Lex. in the French war in 1755, and hence was well qualified 
to aid in the Revolutionary struggle. Hf left Lex. about 1777, 
moved to Lunenburg, afterwards went to West Camb., and d. in 
Hopkinton, while on a visit to his children. 

Samuel, b. Aug. 31, 1760; d. 0~29, 1778. ' 

Nehemiali, b. Mar. 3, 1762 ; m. in Lunenburg, where he lived some 

years. 
Bettie, b. Apr. 9, 1764; m. William Blanchard, of ^ledford. 
Lydia, b. May 28, 1766 ; m. Samuel Jones, and lived in West Camb. 
Eliakim, b. July 10, 1768; d. young. 

Grace, b. May 27, 1770; m. Nathaniel Trask, of Charlestown. 
jEliakim, b. Oct 18, 1772 ; m. Hannah Cook, of West Camb. 
Johyi, h. May 7, 1775 ; m. Anna Russell, and lived in West Camb. 
Joseph, b. Feb. 23, 1777 ; he settled in Hopkinton. 
Samuel, b. May 13, 1779; m. Lucy Jones, and lived in W. Camb. 
Rebecca, b. Mar. 4, 1781 ; she was living (1859) in Charlestown, unm. 



Benjamin Estabrook m. Esther Russell. He d. Oct. 29, 1819, 
aged 57. She d. Jan. 3, 1813, aged 49. We find no record of his 
family, but obtain the following from his relatives. He resided for a 
time in Danvers. 

Sxisan, b. Aug. 20, 1783 ; m. Benjamin Winn, and lived in Salem. 

Benjamin, b. in Danvers, June 7, 1785 ; d. in Topsham, Vt. 

Walter, b. Nov. 22, 1787. 

Hannah, b. 1789 ; d. in six months. 

Hannah, b. Mar. 11, 1791 ; d. in Salem, Apr. 19, 1811. 

William, b. 1793 ; d. in Lex. 1858. 



Attai Estabrook m. Polly Pierce, 
he d. Sept. 29, 1836, aged 67. 



She d. Nov. 6, 1826, and 



Benjamin, b. 



d. Nov. 1826, aged about 20, by an injury re- 



ceived from the rebound of a gun. 

Hannah, b. ; m. George Simonds. , ^ -oi j » 

Solomon, b. Apr. 1, 1815 ; m. Apr. 3, 1837, Elizabeth C. Blodgett. 

They have Henry D. and George D., (twins,) b. May 19, 1838; 

Lyman, b. Feb. 26, 1849. Henry D. m. Jan. 16, 1866, Sarah A. 

Cummings. George D. m. July 2, 1865, Emma S. Fowle. 



64 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



29-46- 



46-63 

64 

65 
66 
67 
68 
69 



70 
71 
72 

73 
74 

75 
76 

77 



Abigail, h. Dee. 16, 1819; m. Apr. 7, 1816, Luke W. Wright. 
Joseph, b. May 4, 1821 ; m. Nancy Raymond, of Littleton, and r. 

in Acton. 
Elizabeth, b. Dec. 1, 1823; d. June 23, 1818. 



Eliakim Estabrook m. Sept. 7, 1793, Hannah Cook, of West 
Camb., b. Sept. 15, 1778. He resided most of the time in West 
Camb., though he returned to Lex., -where he d. Apr. 17, 1835. She 
was in 1859, living in Lex. Though they were mostly b. in West 
Camb., the number of the children induces us to give them a place 
here. 

Ender, b. Feb. 24, 1795 ; m. Aug. 27, 1818, Lydia Adams, of West 
Cambridge. 

Louisa, b. Sept. 8, 1797; m. Apr. 1819, Ebenezer Hovey, of West 
Cambridge. 

Joseph, b. Apr. 17, 1799 ; m. Aug. 11, 1817, Nancy Page. 

Lovell, h. Nov. 8, 1800 ; m. May 12, 1824, Mary Stearns, of Waltham, 

Hannah, b. Feb. 4, 1802 ; m. May 9, 1818, Wm. Benjamin, of Lin. 

Matilda, b. May 4, 1805 ; m, Oct. 13, 1833, Wm. Hooper, of Boston. 

Eliakim, b. Oct. 16, 1806 ; m. Feb. 9, 1849, Augusta Fay, of Fitch- 
burg. 4 

Eleanor, b. Feb. 12, 1807 ; m. Apr. 25, 1826, John Norcross. 

Elizabeth, b. July 10, 1808; ra. May 7, 1832, Jas. Bryant, of N. H. 

Clarinda, b. Aug. 13, 1810; m. Oct. 2, 1832, George Foster, of 
West Cambridge. 

Nehemiah, b. Feb. 21, 1812; d. young. 

Mary A., b. Mar. 14, 1814; d. Dec. 6, 1843, unm. 

John B., b. Apr. 8, 1816. 

Lucy E., b. Nov. 10, 1818 ; d. Mar. 24, 1839, unm. 

Francis H., b. June 1, 1821; m. July 25, 1852, Louisa Jones, of 
Walpole, N. H. They reside in Lexington. Children, first, John 
Henry, b, Nov. 1854, d. young; second, George Lovell, b. Dec. 
1856 ; third, Anna Louisa, b. Sept. 30, 1857. 



We cannot close this table without doing justice to Prince Esta- 
brook, a black man in the family of Benjamin Estabrook. He was 
among the patriots of the Revolution on the Common on the 19th of 
April, 1775, when he was wounded ; we find his name among the 
soldiers in almost every campaign during the war. He, though a 
slave, fought the battles of freedom. 



THE FAIRFIELD FAMILY. 

About 1733, there was a family of Fairfields came to Lex. proba- 
bly from Wenham, as Walter, Judith, and Remember were dismissed 
from the ch. in that place, to Lex., where they were ad. Aug. 4, 
1734. On the same day, Rebecca, probably dau. of Walter and 
Judith, was bap. Walter, probably son of the same, was bap. Jan. 
18, 1736, and Mary, Nov. 9, 1740. 

There appears to have been more than one family of the name, as 
Stephen, and Hannah his wife, were ad. to the ch., he in 1734, and 
she in 1737. We have also the record of two of their children, 
Judith, b. May 30, 1736, and Rebecca, b, Dec. 26, 1738. I also 
find Moses of Daniel, bap. in 1738. Walter and Daniel were taxed 
in Lex. 1735, '36, and '37. In 1743, Walter, Judith, and Mary, and 
Stephen and Hannah, were dismissed from the Lex. ch. to the ch. at 
Cold Spring. They probably had left town before that time, as the 
name had disappeared from the tax bills. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



65 



1- 2 
8 

4 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 

1-2- 



THE FARLEY FAMILY. 

The Parleys were never numerous in Lexington. George Farley 
settled in Koxbury, removed early to Wohurn, and from tliencc to 
Billerica, before 1G.56, and d. there Dec. 27, KJ'J:}. He had a num- 
ber of children, some of whom settled in Billerica, where the name 
has been quite common, as it has also been in Ilollis, N. II. It is 
highly probable that the Lexington Farleys were from tiie same stock. 
The following imperfect sketch is all that our records furnisli. 

John Farley, son of John and Mary, b. Oct. 31, 1714. 
Hannah Farley, dau. of Benjamin and Joanna, b. Jan. 31, 1757. 
Sarah Farley, " " " " " b. Sept. 28, 17G1. 

Samuel Hasselton, Ilollis, N. IL, m. Molly Farley, of Lex., June 2, 

1761. 
Israel Putnam, ofBedford,m. Rebecca Farley , of hex. , .Ja.n. 5, IIG'.L 
Benjamin Farley, of Lex. was in the French war in 1757. 



THE FARMER FAMILY. 

Edward Farmer, son of John Farmer, of Ansley, Warwick- 
shire, Eng., came to this country as early as 1{)72, and settled in 
Billerica, where he d. May 27, 1727, aged 87. Mary his wife d. 
Mar. 26, 1719, aged 78. 

The name appears on Lex. records about 1718, when Xathaniel 
Farmer was taxed. 

Nathaniel Farmer m. May 28, 1755, Hannah Fessenden, dau. 
of Thomas and Hannah (Prentice) Fessenden. He was a member 
of Capt. Parker's company, and like a true patriot was on the ground 
on the 19th of Apr. 1775. He received a severe wound on the 
morning of that memorable day. A ball struck his right arm, and 
so fractured the bone, that he was disabled for a long time ;— pieces 
of bone were extracted from the arm several months afterwards. 
The Legislature made him a grant of £15 15s. for loss of labor and 
expense of surgical attendance. 

\Jolin, b. July 18, 1757 ; m. ]\Iar. 27, 1783, Lucy Reed. 

Hannah, b. Jan. 28, 1760; m. May 6, 1777, Jacob Kilburn, of 

Lancaster. 
Isaac, b. Oct. 8, 1762 ; d. young. 

Ruth, b. Aug. 15, 1765. 6 Ahigail, b. Nov. 6, 1768. 
Sallv } ■ , T^ .n 1 — 1 S '»• i'^lj- 12, 1794, Samuel 
Rebecca, \ *^'"' ' ^- ^*"'- ^9. 1' ' 1 i \ [Pierce, of Groton. 
Thomas Shattuck, bap. Sept. 10, 1775. 
Isaac, b. Dec. 31, 1779. 



John Farmer m. Mar. 27, 1783, Lucy Reed, of Camb. He was 
a soldier in the war of the Revolution from the town of Lexington. 



THE FASSETT FAMILY. 

The Fassetts came to this country from Scotland. John Fassett 
was made freeman in 1654. Nathaniel Fassett was taxed in Concord 
in 1666 There were one or more families of this name in BillcrKa 
at an e"arly day. It is probable that the Lex. Fassetts descendeil 
either from the family in Con. or Bil., as they resided near the cor- 
ner of these towns — their residence being at what is known as tlie 



66 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1-2- 



2- 3 
4 
5 
6 

7 

2-5- 



6-11 



1-2 
3 
4 

5 



Page place, in Bed., which was formerly a part of Lex. The Fas- 
setts were never numerous in Lex., though one individual was at one 
time prominent and influential. 

Joseph Fassett, and his wife Mary, were in Lex. in 1701, having 
made their peace with the church at that time. In 1708, he was 
chosen one of the assessors in the precinct, and in 1714, one of the 
assessors in the town. Subsequently he became quite popular, 
filling various offices. He was one of the assessors nine years, filled 
the office of selectman about as long, and for several years repre- 
sented the town in the General Court. We find no record of any 
children of theirs except Joseph, who was born Dec. 6, 1701. Jo- 
seph Fassett, and his wife Mary, both died about 1753 or 4. She 
was dau. of William Munroe, the ancestor of the Lex. Munroes. 



Amity 



about 1726. 



Joseph Fassett m 
1755, and she m. June 15, 1756, John Page, of Bed. 



He d. Aug. 14, 
In his will. 



dated 1755, he mentions wife Amity, sons Joseph, John, and Jon- 
athan, and dau. Sarah and Amity Newton. He filled several town 
offices. 

Joseph, b. Jan. 18, 1727 ; d. same day. 

Marrj, b. Aug. 18, 1729 ; d. Oct. 12, same year. 

\Joseph, b. Mar. 21, 1730; m. Dorothy Pollard, of Bed. 

Amity, b. Feb. 1, 1732; m. Nov. 14, 1754, Simon Newton, of Bed. 

Mary, b. May 9, 1736. 8 John, b. Dec. 7, 1739. 

Jonathan, b. Mar. 15, 1742. 10 Sarah, bap. Jan. 22, 1744. 



Joseph Fassett m. May 6, 1756, Dorothy Pollard, of Bedford. 
He was a lieut., and d. at the Lake in the French war, Sept. 16, 
1758, aged 29 years. She m. Feb. 21, 1760, Ebenezer Page, of 
Bedford, son of her father-in-law. 



Joseph, b. Apr. 10, 1757. 



12 Calley, b. June 21, 1758. 



THE FESSENDEN FAMILY. 

The Fessendens were probably not in the precinct, till about the 
time it was erected into a town, in 1713; though they were in old 
Cambridge much earlier. John Fessenden came from Kent Co., 
Eng., and settled in Cambridge about 1635. He was ad. a freeman 
in 1641. He was a member of the ch., and was selectman in 1656, 
'61, '63, and '65. He d. Jan. 13, 1666, leaving no children. His 
wife Jane d. Jan. 13, 1682, aged 80. His relative, Nicholas Fes- 
senden, came over from England at his request, it is said, and inher- 
ited his estate, which was very considerable for that day. Nicholas 
is supposed to have been a nephew of John. ^ 

Nicholas Fessenden m. Margaret Cheney. He was b. in Eng- 
land about 1650. He resided in Cambridge, where he had a numer- 
ous family, and d. Feb. 24, 1719, in his 69th year. She d. Dec. 10, 
1717, in her 62d year. 

Jane, b. Nov. 28, 1674; d. Aug. 24, 1676. 
Hannah, h. July 27, 1676 ; d. Aug. 4, 1676. 

Joh7i, h. Nov. 4, 1678; m. Sarah . 

NicJiolas, b. Jan. 21, 1681 ; grad. at H. C. 1701, was distinguished 
as a teacher in Camb. He m. Sarah Cooledge, wid. of Stephen. 
Thomas, b. Jan. 4, and d. Jan. 28, 1682. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



C7 



1-7- 



7-16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 

22 

23 
24 

25 

26 

27 

7-16- 



\TJtomas, h. Aug. 12, 1684 ; lie was three times married 

Margaret, b. Jan. 22, 1687; d. uniii. 

Jane, b. Apr. 22, 1GS8 ; m. Jan. 10, 1712, Samuel Winsl.ip, who 
was high shcrid" of ]\Iiddlesex county. 

Mary, b. Oct. 28, 1G89 ; m. June 15, 1712, Joshua Parker. 

William, b. 1G91 ; m. first, Oct. 10, 1716, IMartha Wyeth, and second, 
Jan. 4, 1728, Martha Brown. He d. May 26, 175G. lie resided 
in Camb., had a family of eleven children, the youngest of whom, 
Thomas, was bap. July 15, 17;)9, grad. at H.' C. 17r)H, was or- 
dained at Walpole, N.'ll., 17G7. He m, Elizabeth Kendall, and 
had a numerous family, the eldest of whom was well known in this 
community. Thomas G. Fcsscnden grad. at Dart. C. 1796; he 
was a lawyer, a wit, and a poet, whose writings left a sting behind. 
He was author of a satirical poem entitled, " Terrible Tractora- 
tion," which in its day made many laugh, and a few wince. He 
was distinguished as an agriculturalist, and edited for some years 
"The New England Farmer.'" He d. in Boston. 

Through another branch of the family of William Fessenden, (No. 
11 in this table,) descended G. Samuel Fessenden, an eminent law- 
yer of Portland, Me., who has represented his district in Congress, 
and who was father of Hon. William Pitt Fessenden, the distin- 
guished senator in Congress from Maine at this time. 

Joseph, b. ; m. Mindwell Oldham, Dec. 6, 1733.' 

Bevjamin, b. Jan. 30, 1701; grad. at H. C. 1718, was ordained at 

Sandwich, Sept. 12, 1722, and d. there Aug. 7, 1746, leaving a 

family. 

Hannah, b. ; m. John Chipman, Sandwich? She d. 17.j8. 

Ehenezer, b. ; m. probably Elizabeth Barrett, and afterwards 

Alice Babcock. He lived and d. at Cambridge. 



Thomas Fe.ssexden m. 1708, Abigail Ponlter, dan. of Jonathan 
and Elizabeth Poulter, of Lex., b. Sept. 5, 1692. She d. April 25, 
1719, aged 27; and he m. Jan. 8, 1720, Abigail Locke, dau. of 
Joseph Locke, of Lex. She d. June 12, 1736, and he m. Anne 
PhiKabrown, Dec. 2, 1737. He d. Mar. 6, 1738. He jirobably 
came to Lex. about the time of his first marriage; he o. c. in 1709, 
when their first child was baptized. 

\Tliomas, b. Dec. 9, 1709 ; m. 1735, Hannah Prentice, of Camb, 

\Sam%Lel, b. Aug. 11, 1711 ; m. May 21, 1740, Elizabeth Allen. 

Abigail, b. July 13, 1713; m. Wellington. 

Marij, b. Jan. 17, 1716; m. Wm. Brown, of Walt., moved to Conn. 

Elizabeth, b. Mar. 8, 1721 ; m. Apr. 27, 1758, Samuel Hutchinson. 

Jonathan, b. Apr. 28, 1723; m. June 4, 1747, Martha Crosby, of 
Quincy, where he lived. 

Hannah, b. June 18, 1725 ; d. same year. 

Hannah, b. Apr. 21, 1727; d. Apr. 21, 1729. , , ,,^ 

John, b. Apr. 27, 1729; m. Nov. 'li, 1769, Elizabeth Wyman, r. in 
Rutland. 

Timothy, b. May 6, 1731 ; m. Elizabeth Pierce, dau. of Jonas I lerce, 
of Lex. They r. in Westminster, where he d. Mar. 1, 1805, let. 74. 

Benjamin, b. Jan. 9, 1734; was twice m., resided in Milton, Brain- 
tree, Watertown, and Boston, where he d. Apr. 30, 1801. 

Submit, b. May 28, 1736. 



Thomas Fessenden m. June 19, 1735, Hannah Prentice, of Camb. 
They were ad. to the ch. in Lex., Oct. 16, 1737, when their first child 
was bap. He d. July 22, 1768. 



GS 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



16-28 
29 
30 
31 

32 



33 
84 

85 



7-17- 



17-36 
37 
38 
39 



16-30- 



80-40 
41 
42 
43 

44 
45 
46 

16-33- 



33-47 
48 
49 
50 
51 

52 



53 



33-47- 



47-54 



Hannah, b. Aug. 9, 1736 ; m. May 20, 1755, Nathaniel Farmer. 
Abigail, b. Sept. 7, 1738; d. July 13, 1741. 

\Tho7nas, b. July 10, 1741 ; m. Elizabeth Apthorp, and Lucy Lee. 
Aaron, b. Dec. 30, 1744; m. Sai-ah Locke. They resided a short 

time in Cambridge, and then removed to Townsend, where they d. 
Nathaniel, b. June 7, 1746; m. first, Lydia Bemis, about 1770, who 

was killed by the chance shot of a gun, holding at the time her 

only son (Ichabod) in her arms. He m. second, Elizabeth Webb, 

of" Danvers, r. in Medford. 
^Nathan, b. Apr. 10, 1749, m. Sarah Winship, Oct. 17, 1771. 
Sarah, b. Aug. 9, 1753; m. Mar. 4, 1773, Isaac Winship, brother of 

Sarah above. 
Isaac? bap. Oct. 23, 1757. 



55 
56 



Samuel Fessknden m. ^May 21, 1740, Elizabeth Allen. He was 
ad. to the ch. in Lex., Uav 10, 1746. lie d. Nov. 1, 1771. She d. 
Sept. 4, 1802, aged 91 years. 

Elizabeth, b. May 6, 1741 . 

Amity, b. June 15, 1743 ; m. Dec. 15, 1773, Solomon Pierce. 
Abigail, b. July 20, 1747 ; m. Jan. 22, 1765, John Hill, of Bil. 
Samuel, bap. July 6, 1749 ; m. Sarah Pierce, sister of Solomon, Nov. 
21, 1771. 



Thomas Fessenden m. Mrs. Elizabeth Apthorp. She d. and he 
m. Dec. 7. 1775, Lucv Lee, of Con. He d. Feb. 25, 1804. She d. 
June 19, 1820, aged 66. 

Nelly, b. Apr. 10, 1769? 

Thomas, h. June 5, 1772; d. Mar. 7, 1807, aged 35. 

Lucy, b. Apr. 2, 1777 ; d. young. 

William, h. June 13, 1779; m. Apr. 26, 1802, Eunice Frost, and 

moved to N. H. 
Lucy, h. Sept. 16, 1782; d. about 1804. 
Betsey Apthorp, b. Sept. 8, 1787 ; m. Elias Yiles. 
John, b. Mar. 13, 1794. 



Nathan Fessenden m. Oct. 17, 1771, Sarah Winship. He d. 
Apr. 24, 1797. 

jNathan, b Apr. 25, 1772; m. Jane Goodrich. 
Isaac, b. Apr. 12, 1776 ; m. Mary Doane, of Boston, r. there. 
Jonathan, b. May 18, 1779 ; r. in Portland, m. Betsey Drinkwater. 
Li/dia, b. May 28, 1782; m. Elisha Tainter, of Med., r. there. 
John, b. Dec. 25, 1784 ; went to Portland, where he r. He d. Aug. 

7. 1849. 
Sally, b. Oct. 13, 1788 ; m. William Lovejoy, of Milford, N. II., r. 

there. 
Nathaniel, b. Jan. 6, 1791; d. 1821, unm. 



Natiiax Fessenden m. June 11, 1801, Jane Goodrich, of Lu- 
nenburg. He d. Feb. 26, 1866, aged 93 years. She d, Feb. 10, 
1849, aged 70 years. 

Elizabeth, b. May 20, 1802; m. Darius Fillebrown. She d. Nov. 

16, 1849. 
Caroline, f, -. r , .. ^^, , < m. Oct. 8, 1835, William Grover. 
Maria, ^ ' ^ ' ' ; 



GENEALOGICAL IlEGIS'i-ER. G9 

57 Harriet, h. Sept. 8, 180G; m. Xov. 4, 1841, James In^als, of Town- 
send. 

68 Nathan, h. June 1.0, 1808. He r. on the old hornesttad, Las for 

several years tilled the office of asse««or. 

69 I Jlbert F., b. Aug. 2.':!, 1810: rri. p:iiza Johnson. No issue. 

60 (JharleJi, b. Nov. .0, 1812; he went Uj Fitchburg, where he m. Mar- 
! tha Newton. She d. 1851, and he m. he rsisttr Sarah C. He r. 
I in Fitchburg. 

6l|i/«ci G., b. Oct. .30, 1814; m. Sarah Stratton, Get. 22, 1849, r. In 
Ohio. 

(')2JIIannoh, h. June 2, 1817; m. Jan. 6, 18ol, Darius Fillebrown. 

63 Jane, h. Mar. .30, 1820; m. Dec. 14, 1847, Chas. G. Davis, of Wo. 



THE FISKE FAMILY. 

" There was," says Bond, in his histor>' of Watertown, " a consid- 
erable number of early immigrants of the name oi Fiske,v/ho settled 
in Massachusetts ; and there is good reason to believe that they were 
all descendants of Robert and Sibil ("Gold) Fiske, who lived at 
Broad Gates, Loxfield, near Framingham, county Suflolk, Eng." 

David I^iske, probably came over to America in 1636, and settled 
in Wat. where he was admitted freeman. Mar. 1637. lie was select- 
man in Wat. 1040, and '43. His will, dated Sept. 10, 1660, and 
proved Jan. 22, 1662, mentions no wife, but onedau. Filch, and ona 
son David, "sole executor and residuary legatee, giving him his 
j house, lands, cattle and chattels." Aug. 6, 1673, his son sold his 
homestead and two other lots of land in Wat. to John Cooledge. 

1- 2 I David Fiskk b. 1624. He was a "planter," and was ad. free- 
man. May 26, 1647 ; he settled either at first, or soon after, at Camb. 
I" arms, in which place he became a prominent citizen. He m. first, 
Lydia Cooper, perhaps step-dau. of Dea. Gregory Stone, by whom 
he had three children. He in. second. Seaborn Wilson, dau. of 
William Wilson, of Boston. He d. Feb. 14, 1710. His will, dated 
Jan. 22, 1708, and proved Dec. 20, 1711, mentions, wife Seaborn, 
son Nicholas Wyeth, my dau. being dead, children David, Elizabeth, 
and Abigail, cousin Samuel .Stone, son of Dea. Samuel Stone. In- 
ventory of his estate, £-i')i> 17«. dd. Oct. 16, 1676, he and wife 
Seaborn, sold Samuel Page, one hundred and forty-nine acres in 
I Wat. granted to his father David Fiske. David Fiske, or David 
i Fiske, Sen., as he was designated in our early records, was not only 
{ one of the first settlers, but became one of the most prominent and 
j useful men in the precinct. He headed the subscription for a meet- 
! in^'-house in 1692, and on the organization of the pafish the year 
I affer, he was chosen clerk, and one of the selectmen or assessors. 
He was also chosen chairman of a committee to purchase of the town 
of Camb. a lot of land for the support of the ministry-. These and 
similar offices he frequently held under the parish. He was also a 
member of the ch. organized 1696, and his wife immediately after 
removed her relation from the ch. in Camb. to the ch. gathered in 
the precinct. He not only served his fellow-citizens in a civil and 
religious, but also in a military capacity, as appears by the prefix 
Limt. which is often in the records connected with his name. He was 
also often employed by the colony as a surveyor. He resided on 
Hancock st. near the present residence of Joseph F. Simonds. 

A handsome monument was erected in 18o6. by Benj. Fiske, Esq., 
with this inscription : " In memory of David Fiske, who died Feb. 
14, 1710, and his descendants." 
67 



70 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



2- 3 
4 
6 
6 

7 



2-5- 



5-10 

n 

12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 

5-11- 



11-18 
19 
20 
21 
22 

23 
25 
26 

27 
28 
29 
31 

5-12- 



SaraJi, d. 1648. 

Lydia, b. Sept. 29, 1647; d. unra. 

]bavid, b. Sept. 1, 1648 ; d. Oct. 23, 1729, aged 81. 

Seaborn, d. young. 

Elizabeth, b. ; m. John Russell, Camb. 

Anna, (Hannah,) m. Timothy Carter, son of Rev. Thomas Carter, 

first of Watertown, afterwards of Woburn. 
Abigail, m. Henry Baldwin, of Woburn. 



David Fiske m. Sarah , who d. April 22, 1729, aged 75. 

He d. Oct. 23, 1729. David Fiske, like his father, was a subscriber 
to the first meeting-house in 1692, and, like his father, was ready to 
sustain the institutions of religion, and was elected to the dignified 
office of tythingman. 

David, b. Jan. 5, 1675 ; m. Elizabeth . 

^Jonathan, b. May 19, 1679. 

\Robert, b. May 8, 1681 ; d. April 18, 1753. 

Anna, b. April 2, 1683. 

Lydia, b. May 14, 1685 ; m. Joseph Loring, of Lexington. 

Sarah, b. June 16, 1687. 

Abigail, b. May 20. 1689 ; d. Aug. 13, 1691. 

\Ebenezer, b. Sept. 12, 1692; m. — ^ . 



Jonathan Fiske m. Abigail 



His name first appears 



upon the Lex. parish records in 1707, when Corp'l Jonathan Fiske 
was chosen one of the assessors. He was also a subscriber for the 
purchase of the Common in 1711 ; though the cli. records show that 
his dau. Abigail was bap. in 1704, when he o. c. He and his wife 
Abigail united with the ch. Oct. 24, 1708. He had a family of four- 
teen children, five of whom were born in Lex. and the rest in Sud- 
bury, to which place he removed about 1713, where he was a deacon. 
He and his wife were dismissed to the Sudbury ch. in 1718. His 
will, dated Nov. 13, 1742, mentions wife Abigail, five sons and seven 
dau., two of his children probably having died before that period. 

Abigail, bap. July 23, 1704 ; m. Samuel Parris. 

Jonathan, bap. June 9, 1706 ; not mentioned in his father's will. 

Kezia, bap. Aug. 8, 1708; m. Noyes. 

Lydia, bap. April 16, 1710; m. Patterson. 

Mary, bap. June 30, 1712; m. Feb. 1, 1739, Nathaniel Fiske, of 

Weston. 
Hepzibah, b. Oct. 30, 1713. 24 Bezaleel, b. Aug. 24, 1715. 

Samuel, b. May 3, 1717 ; m. and lived in Newton.\ 
Beidah,h. Nov. 1, 1718; m. first, Benjamin Stone, and second, 

1747, Benjamin Eaton, of Framingham, 
William, b. Sept. 4, 1720. 

Sarah, b. Dec. 6, 1722 ; m. Heard, of Sudbury. 

Anna, b. 1724. 30 David, b. Sept. 4, 1726. 

Bejijamin, b. March 28, 1730. 



Robert Fiske m. May 27, 1718, Mary Stimpson, of Reading. 
In 1711, he was a subscriber for the purchase of the Common. He 
Avas ad. to the ch. 1736. His residence was on Hancock st. at or 
near the spot where Joseph F. Simonds now resides. Here his father 
David lived before him ; and hence this must have been one of the 
first settled places in the township. The present, which is probably 
the second house on this spot, was erected in 1732. Robert Fiske 
was a physician, and probably the first of the profession in the place. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



12-32 
33 
34 
35 

36 
37 
38 



39 



40 



5-17- 



17-41 
42 

43 
44 
45 
46 



47 
48 

49 



His wifo survived him a few years, and d. Feb. 11, 1757. Ho d, 
April 18, 1753. The inventory sheds light upon the manners and 
customs of the age. Among otiier things, we fuid the following : 
"Hat and wig, 100.9. Arms — yellow stock gun, £8 lO.t. ; litUe 
gun, £5; carl)ine, 50s.; br.ass pistols, 50s.; rapier and belt, 12s.; 
three staves, 2()s. ; two cans and two piggens, 15s. ; one loom, quill 
wheel and warping bars. 5()s ; two pair of snow shoes, 30s. Books 
— - General Practice ol Physic, -'iOs. ; English Dispensatory or Synop- 
ses of Medieine,_30s. The Structure aiid Condition of Bones,' l.'js." 
By these items, it will be seen that the doctor was quite as well armed 
for the art of war as for the art of healing. 

Manj, b. Feb. 8, 1719 ; d. same day. 

Mary, b. March 16, 1720 ; m. John Buckman, and lived in Lex. 

\Robert, b. Jan. 23, 1722 ; m. Betty . 

Lydia, b. June 23, 1724; m. James Wilson, of Bedford. 

\Joseph, b. Oct. 18, 1726 ; m. Hepsibah Raymond. 

Ruth, b. Nov. 15, 1729 ; m. Farmer. 

John, b. Nov. 8, 1731. He studied medicine, but it is doubtful whether 
he practiced to any extent. We find no account of his marriage, 
or children, or death. Ho was of Lex. in 1757, when Joseph 
Fiske, and John Fiske, physicians, heirs of Dr. Robert Fiske, sold 
land to Jonas Parker. John Fiske, of Lex. was in the French and 
Indian war, 1754. 

Jonathan, b. March 20, 1734; m. Sept. 4, 1755, Abigail Locke, of 
Woburn. She was dan. of William and Jemima (Russell) Locke, 
who resided near the line of Lexington. We fmd no account of 
Jonathan Fiske, or family. He was of Lex. in 1752, when for a 
consideration he relinquished his right to his mother's thirds. 

\David, b. March 8, 1737 ; m. Elizabeth Blodgett. 



Ebenezer Fiske m. Dec. 4, 1718, Grace Harrington, of Wat. , 
by whom he had a child, which d. Aug. 25, 1721, and she d. four 
days after, aged 26. He m. second, Bethia Muzzy, dau. of Benj. 
and Sarah Muzzy. She d. Nov. 19, 1774, aged 74; and he d. Dec. 
19, 1775. The monumental stone in the Lex. old yard, has the hon- 
orable prefix of Lieut, to the name of Ebenezer Fiske. He appears 
to have been popular in his day, having been called to fill many offices 
in the town. He was selectman ten years between 1739 and 1758. 
He resided on the road to Concord, a little more than a mile from 
the Common, at the easterly side of a large swell of land, which 
from his residence and ownership has taken the name of " Fiske 
Hill." It was at this house that the gallant Ilayward, of Acton, met 
a British soldier coming from the well, between whom shots were 
exchanged, with fatal effect on both sides. 



Sarah, bap. Nov. 24, 1723. 
Ebenezer, b. March 5, 1826. 

Epping, N. H. 
Bethia, b. Aug. 1, 1729 ; m. 



He was a physician, and settled at 



Oliver, of Boston. 
- Ellis. 



Elizabeth, b. May 7, 1731 ; m. — 

Jane, b. May 2, 1733 ; m. Josiah Hadley. 

Anna, b. July 29, 1735 ; m. Oct. 24, 1754, Oliver Barrett, of Con. 
She was grandmother of the late Rev. Dr. Barrett, of Boston, 
and Rev. Fiske Barrett, once settled at Lexington. 

Benjamin, b. May 4, 1737 ; d. young. . 

Samuel, b. Oct. 5, 1739. He grad. at H. C. 1759^ and was an Epis- 
copal clergyman in South Carolina. He d. 1777. 

\Benjamin, b. Aug. 10, 1742 ; d. Feb. 1, 1785. 



72 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



12-34- 



34-50 
' 52 

12-36- 



36-55 
56 
57 

12-40- 



40-58 



59 



17-49- 



49-61 
62 



34-51- 



RoBEKT FisKK m. Betty . She d. Dec. 14, 1770. There is 

no record of his death ; but as he was in Lex. in 1764, and she was a 
wid. in 1767, he must have d. between thof^e periods. In 1767 wid. 
Betty Fislce bought eighty acres of land in Lex. bounded easterly on 
Wo. line, and westerly by land of Lemuel Simonds. Her will, dated 
Dec. 4, 1770, and proved Sept., 1771, mentions sons Robert, John, 
and David, and dau. Betty and Ruth. The record of this family is 
very defective. Robert Fiske, like his father, was a physician by 
profession, and appears to have led rather a wandering life. In 
1760 he was in the French war, in 1757 he was in Wo., and in 1764, 
he came to Lex., when we find this entry, " Dr. Fiske and family 
came last from Woburn." 



Robert, b. 1756. 
Ruth, b. Oct. 30, 1765. 



51 \ David, b. Nov. 23 1760. 
53 John. 54 Betty. 



Joseph Fiske m. Dec. 13, 1751, Hepzibah Raymond. He d. 
Jan. 8, 1808, aged 81. She d. Oct. 9, 1820, at the advanced age of 
91. He was a physician, and successor to his father, who d. about 
the time he commenced practice. He administered upon his father''s 
estate, and resided in the same house. He probably had other 
children besides those named below, as the imperfect records speak 
of the death of at least one of his infant children. 

\Joseph, b. Dec. 25, 1752 ; d. Sept. 25, 1837, aged 85. 

Ruth, b. April 20, 1758; m. May 7, 1795, John . 

Hepzibah, b. June 22, 1765 ; m. John Le Baron and went to Lit. 



David Fiske m. June 22, 1760, Elizabeth Blodgett. He was a 
weaver, and, to distinguish him from others of the same name, he 
was called " Weaver David." He was famous as a hunter. Though 
the wild game was not very plenty in his day, he contributed greatly 
to thin off the deer, bears, &c. He ran down and killed a stately 
buck on the hill over which the Burlington road ran, and hence it 
has taken the name of " Buck's Hill." He has left no record of his 
family; though from tradition, and intimations in the records, he 
must have had at least three children. He d. July 20, 1815. 

; m. April 14, 1788, Joseph Webber. They had 



Betsey, b. — 

Joseph, b. Feb. 19, 1789, Susanna, b. July 9, 1791, and moved to 

Bedford. 
'[David, b. 1756. 60 Benjamin. 



Benjamin Fiske m. May 14, 1767, Rebecca Howe of Concord. 
He d. Feb. 1, 1785, aged 42, and his wid. m. Mar. 28, 1786, Lieut. 
William Merriam of Bedford. 

\Benjamin, b. Aug. 20, 1774. 

Elizabeth, b. Apr. 7, 1783 ; m. May 29, 1802, William Whitney of 

Shirley, son of Rev. Phineas Whitney of that town. She d. Feb. 

24, 1810, leaving two children, William F. and George H. 



David Fiske m. Abigail Harrington, dau. of Robert and Abigail 
(Mason) Harrington. He was a physician, and resided at the 
corner of Elm avenue and Bedford street, where Mr. James Gould 
now resides, which place, consisting of a house and an acre of land, 
he bought of Mrs. Ruth Harrington in 1777. He d. Nov. 20, 1803, 
and was buried in masonic order, being a member'of that fraternity. 
I find no record of his family worthy of mention. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



73 



51-63 
65 
66 



67 

68 



36-55- 



55-70 
71 

72 



40-59- 



69-76 

77 
78 
79 
80 
81 
82 
83 
84 
85 



; m. Sally Robbins of West Camb. 
; d. young. 



Robert, b. — 
Abigail, b. - 
Betseij,h. Oct. 17, 1782; m.^Nov. 29, 1810, Joseph NewcU of New 

Ipswich, N. H. 
John, h. ; m. Lydia Pierce ; resided in Winchester, and d 

1858. 

Mary, b. ; d. young. 

Chloe, b. ; scalded Feb. 16,1794. 69 Peter, b. . 



Joseph Fiske m. July 31, 1794, Elizabeth Stone, b. Nov. 13, 
1770. She d. Mar. (i, 1842. He was a surgeon in the continental ser- 
vice during almost the entire Revolution — was at tiie capture of Bur- 
goyne, the surrender of Yorktown, and many of the intermediate bat- 
tles. Dr. Fiske was one of the original members of the Society of 
Cincinnati, formed by the officers at the close of the war in 1784, — a 
society whose benefactions have gladdened the heart of many a widow 
and orphan. His son, Joseph, had in his possession the certificate 
of membership, with the sign manual of George Washington, presi- 
dent, and Gen. Knox, secretary. He was also a member of the 
Massachusetts Medical Society. He d. May 4, 18(j0; aged 63. 

Elizabeth, b. June 15, 1795; m. Dec. 5, 1819, Richard Fisher of 
Camb. 

Joseph, b. Feb. 9, 1797 ; m. Nov. 12, 1829, Mary Gardner Kennard 
of Eliot, Me. Their children are Joseph Alexander, b. Mar. 8, 
1830, and m. Love Langdon Dodge of Methuen, and lives at Law- 
rence ; Timothy Kennard, b. Aug. 5, 1833, and m. Dec. 25, 1857, 
Barbara Peters. 

Jonas Stone, b. May 9, 1799 ; m. May 8, 1823, Pamela Brown, dau. 
of James Brown. They had two children, Mary Elizabeth, b. 
June 2, 1824, and James Francis, b. Dec. 31, 1825. They reside 
in West Camb. Jonas Stone Fiske d. Mar. 23, 1828. 

Sarah, b. May 18, 1802 ; d. Dec. 27, 1825, unm. 

FranJdiu, b. Oct. 16, 1804; m. Oct. 3, 1839, Hannah Peters of 
Newport, N. H. They have two children, Charles A., b. Dec. 
25, 1842 ; he was in the army and was severely wounded ; Joseph 
H. R., b. Sept. 8, 1843. 

Almira, b. June 24, 1808 ; m. Mar. 5, 1828, Zadoc Harrington. She 
d. Jan. 22, 1834. 



David Fiske m. Apr. 26, 1784, Sarah Hadley. She d. May 21, 
1804, and he in. second, AVid. Ruth Trask, May 6, 1806. He d. 
Auf. 17, 1820, aged 61. He had ten children by his first wife, and 
three by his second. He entered the service as a fifer in the com- 
pany of Capt. Edmund Munroe, and served to the close of the ^ya^. 
For the sake of distinction he was denominated " Fifer David." 
There is no record of his family, and but little information can be 
obtained concerning them. He d. Aug. 17, 1820, aged 6L 



Riith, b. 



m. 1804, Philip Thomas of Rindge, N. H. 



\Jonathan, b. April 15, 1786 ; m. Rowena Leonard 

garah b ; m. Henry Spear and went to ^ew York. 

David, b. ; m. Aug. 25, 1820, Chloe Trask. 

Samuel, b. ■ ; d. unm. aged about 30 

\Benjamin, b. April 27, 1798 ; m. Sarah Daland. 

\inna, b. ; m. Sept. 10, 1820, Oliver Wmship. 

Charles, b. ; went to sea and never returned. 

Patty, b. ; m. Daniel Gray and moved to Keene. 

Betsey, b. 5 m. Samuel Clarke and went to Glover, Vt, 



74 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



86 

87 
88 
89 



49-01- 



64-90 

91 
92 



59-77- 



77-95 
96 
97 

98 

99 

100 

101 



59-81- 



81-102 

103 
104 

105 
106 
107 
108 
109 

110 



Ichahod, b. 
William, b. 

John, b. 

Frederic, b. 



went to Surry, N. H., on a visit, and d. there. 
resides in Boston. 



resides in Boston. 
— ; resides in Boston. 



Benjamin Fiske ra. May 16, 1797, Elizabeth Bridge, dau. of 
Rev. Mr. Bridge of Chehnsford. She d. Oct. 20, 1»14, and he m. 
second, Nancy Adams of Westford. He moved to Boston in 1808, 
and was engaged in navigation till 1848. In 1843 he returned to 
Lex. and located himself on a large farm situated on Lowell street, 
where he d. He served as alderman in Boston in 1843, and as repre- 
sentative from 1833 to 1838. He held a justice's commission. He 
d. Feb. 2, 1858, aged 84. 

John Minot, b. July 15, 1798 ; m. Eliza Winn of Salem. He was 
grad. H. C. 1815, studied law, and d. in Chelmsford, Aug., 1841. 

Louisa, b. May 30, 1801; m. Dr. Cyrus Briggs of Augusta, Me. 

Charles, h. Nov. 17, 1807; m Nov. 8, 1831, Abigail Hayden of 
Boston. She d. March 28, 1859, aged 47. He m. again. Chil- 
dren, Frances Albertine, b. Nov. 1, 1832, m. June 8, 1852, 
Thomas B. Davenport of Hop. ; Charles, b. May 27, 1834, m. 
April 4, 1855, Adeline W. Shaw of Augusta, Me. ; William B., 
b. June 23, 1836, m. Oct. 15, 1855, Henriette S. Lyford of Bos- 
ton. Henry A., b. April 23, 1840; Marion, b. Jan. 28, 1846, 
d. Jan. 12, 1864; Abbie Josephine, b. Nov. 18, 1848. The last 
three children were b. in Lex., and first three in Maine, where he 
then resided. 

Benjamin, b. Oct. 15, 1811 ; d, June 18, 1812. 

Benjamin, b. Nov. 20, 1820; m. Oct. 21, 1842, Maria Spear of 
Boston. He resided in New York city for a time, now resides in 
Medford, Mass. 



Jonathan Fiske m. Rowena Leonard. 

Eliza, b. 1806 ; m. Pierce and went to Cavendish, Vt. 

George, b. ; d. about 1830, unm. 

Maria, b. ; m. Dr. Haley and moved to Philadelphia, where 

he d. She m. again and went to Texas. 

Sarah, b. ; r. in Boston. 

Caroline, b. about 1821 ; r. in Boston. 

Rowena, b. 1825 ; m. David Massy and resides in Boston. 

John, b. Nov. 6, 1827 ; m. Julia Denow, March 13, 1856, resides in 

Billerica. They have one child. She was of Lincolnville, Me. 



Benjamin Fiske m. Sarah Daland of Westford. 

18, 1806. 



She was b. Jan. 



Benjamin Ichahod, b. Oct. 6, 1828 ; m. Caroline Wood of Leomin- 
ster and r. in West Cambridge. 

Louisa D., b. Feb. 21, 1830; m. George Reed of Auburn, N. H. 

Frederic C. D., b. Oct. 3, 1831; killed at the second Bull Run 
battle. 

Hannah E. D., b. June 5, 1834 ; m. Nathan Brown and r. in Walt. 

Dan Oray, b. Dec. 6, 1836. 

Charles Henry, b. April 23, 1838 ; killed in the army. 

Sarah Loviita, b. April 2, 1841. 

Marij Maria, b. March 16, 1843; m. March 24, 1861, Geo, G. 
Wheeler. 

Oliver 0., b. April 3, and d. April 5, 1845. 



1- 2 

3 
4 

5 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 75 

There was another family of Fiskes in Lexington havin-r ,,0 con 
nection with the David Fiske family. ° 

Samukl Fiske was b. in Salem, Sept. 80, 1789. He came to Lex 
when a child, and resided with John Chandler, and hv him was pre- 
sented for baptism, May 29, 180;!. lie m. Jan. 25, 1818, Anielia L 
Tufts of Charlestown, b. Jan. 7, 1795. She d. Aj)ril 15, 18:5:!. Ihi 
resided in Lex. till about 18;>5, when he removed to Shirley, and 
from thence to Worcester, where he now resides. lie represented 
Lex. in the General Court in 1828, 'i'9, and '30. 

Lucy Ann, b. in Kinderhook, N. Y., May 7, 1819 ; m. Oct. 12, 1811, 
Joseph P. Hale of Bernardston. 

Ammi R., b. in Charlestown, Sept. 28, 1820 ; m. Dec. 28, 1846, 
Phebe James of Newburyport. 

Augusta, b. in Lex. Dec. ':>1, 1822; m. Sept. 3, 1848, Timothy AV. 
Wellington. They moved to Shirley, and from thence to Wor. 

Lucretia, b. July 12, 1825 ;_ m. Oct. 19, 1845, William Hudson of 
Lex. They resided first in Lex., and in 1851 removed to Wor. 
He entered the service of the United States in 1801, was in Burn- 
side's expedition to North Carolina, attached to the signal corps, 
where he d. of disease Aug. 20. 18G2. He left two children, John 
A., b. Dec. 26, 1846, and William F., b. Oct. 3, 1848. 

Ardelia L., b. April 20, 1827; m. April 20, 1847, Lucius W. Pond 
of Worcester. 

Maria, b. Dec. 20, 1828; m. April 21, 1853, AVilliam C. Pinkerton 
of Lancaster, Pa. 

Lydia C, b. July 27, 1830. 

Samuel, b. March 23, 1833. He went to Lancaster, Pa., and m, 
Sept. 26, 1856, Amanda Stoddart of Philadelphia. 



THE FITCH FAMILY. 

Albert Fitch b. Feb. 14, 1817, was the son of Almond Fitch of 
Bed. He came to Lex. in 1851, with his family. He m. Nov. 24, 
1841, Almira Cutler, dau. of Sanniel Cutler, of Bed. b. Nov. 21, 
1818. He has been several times one of the overseers of the poor. 
They have had three children : Frederic A., h. Dec. 5, 1842 ; Ellen 
Maria, b. Sept. 2, 1840, d. Aug. 4, 1848; Ella Almira, b. Jan. 16, 
1849. 



THE GAMMELL FAMILY. 

The first of this family came to this country about 1740, and set- 
tled in Boston. He had at least two sons, John and William. John 
Gammell was b. prior to 175(». He took an active part in many im- 
portant events which preceded the Revolution. He was engaged in 
the destruction of the tea, and also of the stamp olHce. Lnmedi- 
ately after the investment of Boston, he moved his family, consisting 
of a wife and one child, to Lex. On the 18th of June, 1775, he en- 
listed into the Revolutionary army. 

AViLLiAM Gammell, b. 1750, in Boston, where he lived till he was 
fourteen years old, when he moved to Chelmsford. Like his brother 
he was an ardent patriot, and joined the Revolutionary army. He 
m. Thankfid Keyes, of Chelmsford, and moved to Hillsborough, 
n'. H. about 1779. lie had a family of seven children. 



76 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 



2- 3 
4 
6 



1- 2 



2- 3 



John Gammell, son of William, was b. in Hillsborough, Nov. 
12, 1785. He came to Lex. in 1806, and m. May 17, 1810, Rlioda 
Robinson, dau of Joseph Robinson, of Lex. He d. Oct. 1, 186G, 
aged 81, and she died . 

John, b. Jan. 13, 1812; m. 1846, Martha A. Lakin, dau. of Samuel. 

Eliza, b. Aug. 21, 1813; d. Jan. 14, 1848. 

Franklin, b. May 29, 1815; m. 1839, Emily C, dau. of Joseph E. 
Andrews, of Charlestown. He d. Feb. 22, 1842, — leaving one 
child, Joseph F., b. July 6, 1840. 

Eben, b. March 7, 1817 ; m. July 13, 1845, Elvira Wiley, of Charles- 
town. She d. and he m. Nov. 3, 1850, Mary A. Butterfield, of 
Lex. He has had two children by his first wife, and eight by his 
second, viz. Lucy A., b. Oct. 29, 1846, d. Aug. 26, 1849; Eldora 
E., b. Dec. 1848, d. Aug. 29, 1819; Edwin H., b. Sept. 17, 1850, 
d. Aug. 29, 1857; Howard A., b. Dec. 19, 1852; Lucy E., b. 
Dec. 5, 1854, d. Feb. 18, 1863; Abbie 3L, b. Sept. 28, 1856, d. 
Feb. 16, 1863 ; Minnie, b. Nov. 5, 1858, d. Jan. 14, 1863 ; George 
B., b. Sept. 13, 1860; Annie G., b. Nov. 5, 1862, d. Sept. 6, 
1863; Nellie M., b. Feb. 6, 1866. A remarkable instance of 
mortality. 

Margaret A., b. Nov. 1, 1818; d. Nov. 12, 1850. 

Jonas, b. Oct. 10, 1820. He has served on the board of overseers 
of the poor, and si.\ or seven years as a member of the school 
committee. 

Lucy,h. Jan. 1, 1822. 



GLEASON. — There have been from time to time persons in town 
by the name of Gleasox, but no permanent family till recently. 
George Gleason came to Lexington from Holden in 1753. Jonas 
Gleason m. April 30, 1771, Ruth Bacon, both of Lex. In 1772, 
Jonas was ad. to the ch , and his dau. Ruth bap. In 1795, he was 
dismissed to the ch. of Bedford. In 1776, Benjamin Gleason was 
taxed both for personal and real estate. There are two families of 
Gleasons in town at the present time, but the records do not furnish 
a connected list of the families, and no list being furnished us we 
are obliced to omit them. 



THE GODDARD FAMILY. 

Edward Goddaud was a wealthy farmer in Norfolk, England. 

William Goddaud, the seventh son of Edward, m. Elizabeth 
Miles, dau. of Benj. Miles. They resided in London, where they 
had six children, three of whom d. young. He and his wife, with 
their three remaining children, William, Joseph, and Robert, came 
to N. E. in 1665, and settled in Watertown, where he was made free- 
man in 1677, and ad. to the ch. in 1688, and d. Oct. 6, 1691. She 
d. Feb. 8, 1698. He must have been a man of more than ordinary 
education, for he was employed by the town to " teach such children 
as were sent to him to learn the rules of the Latin tongue." They 
had five children b. in Watertown, two of whom d. young. 

Edward Goddard, the youngest child of William, was b. in 
Watertown, March 24, 167.5 ; m. June, 1697, Susanna Stone. He 
was a schoolmaster, and taught successively in Watertown, Boston, 
and Framingham. He was a prominent man, and filled almost every 



GENEALOGICAL llEGISTER. 



3- 4 



4- 5 



5- G 



6- 7 



6-9- 

9-L5 

16 
6-14- 

17 



place_ of lioiior and i)rorit in tlie town of Framlngliam, wlicro lie took 
up his final residence ; and the period dnring Avhich he filled tlie 
dilferent oiliees, i'urnishes the best evidence of his ability and fidelity. 
He was town clerk eighteen years, selectman ten years, town trea- 
surer two years, representative eight years, and a member of the 
executive council three years. He was' also a justice of the peace, 
and the captain of a company of horse. He d. Feb. 9, 1754, aged 
79. They had nine children. 

David Goddard, the third son of Edward, b. Sept. 20, 1706, 
grad. at II. C. 17;U. He studied theology and settled at Leicester, 
June 30, 1709. He m. Aug. 19, 17;)0, iMercy Stone, of Watertown. 
She d. Jan. 4, 1753, and he m. Dec. 20, 'l753, IMartha, wid. of 
Joseph Nichols, of Framingham. He visited Framingham during tlie 
prevalence of an ■epidemic, known there as the " great sickness," 
contracted the disease, and d. Jan. 19, 1754, within less than a month 
of his marriage. His fiither and mother fell a prey to the same dis- 
ease about the same time. His ministry was prosperous and happy. 
He had nine children. 

William Goddard, the second son of David, was b. April 21, 
1740, grad. at H. C. 1701, and was settled as a minister at AVest- 
moreland, N. H., 1764. He m. Aug. 14, 1705, Ilhoda Goddard, 
dau. of Edward and Hepzibah Goddard, his cousin. He was dis- 
missed from Westmoreland on account of ill-health in 1775, removed 
to Orange, Mass., 1778, thence to Petersham, 1779, where he d. 
June 16, 1788, aged 48; she d. Dec 7, 1820, aged 80 years. They 
had eleven children — nine born in Westmoreland and two in Peter- 
sham. 

AsAHEL Goddard, the youngest son of William, b. in Petersham, 
May 6, 1780, m. Jan. 1, 1808, Nancy Keyes, of Reading, Vt., b. 
June 7, 1787. They resided in Reading, where all their children but 
the youngest were born. He d. June 1, 1859. 

Eliza, b. Nov. 4, 1808; m. Jan. 25, 1848, Homer II. Hammond, 

widower of her sister Nancy. 
Amelia, b. April 6, 1810; d. Nov. 13, 1828. 
\Alonzo, b. May 27, 1814; m. April 8, 1841, Elizabeth N. Smith. 
Nancy Maria, b. April 27, 1817; m. Sept. 22, 1844, Homer H. 

Hammond. 
Marcia, b. July 20, 1819. 

Lricia, b. Feb. 6, 1822 ; m. Dec. 2, 1852, Carlos Wardner. 
Asahel, b. June 8, 1827 ; d. Oct. 14, 1847. 
^Solomon Keyes, b. at Windsor, Vt., Oct. 3, 1831 ; m. Elizabeth M. 

Keyes. 



Aloxzo Goddard ni. April 8, 1841, Elizabeth N. Smith, dau. of 
Ebenezer and Anna (Underwood) Smith. He has for several years 
served as one of the selectmen. He came to Lexington to reside 
permanently about 1850. 

Ellen E., b. April 29, 1845; m. May 31, 1863, Everett S. Locke. 

They have Alonzo E., b. Oct. 13, 1863; Martha C, b. Oct. 20, 

1867. 
Alonzo A., b. April 1, 1847. 



Solomon K. Goddard m. May 31, 1858, Elizabeth M. Keyes, 
dau. of Solomon and Sophronia (Darly) Keyes. He came to Lex- 
ington, 1852, where he is now in trade. They have but one child — 
Mina Keyes, b. Nov. 2, 1804. 
68 



78 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 



GODDING. — Henry Godding and his wife Sarah confessed, 
and were ad. to the ch. in Lexington, May 1, 1761, and their first 
child Samuel, was bap. They were in 176G, dismissed to Rowley, 
Canada. John and Thomas Godding were in the Fi'ench war from 
Lexington, 1762. 



GOODWIN.— Philip Goodwin, by wife Elizabeth, had Mar- 
garet, b. Jan. 25, 1700 ; Abigail, b. June 28, 1707 ; Johi, b. Oct. 
28, 1710. 



THE GOULD FAMILY. 

James Gould was b. in Boston, 1749. Being a wheelwright, he 
supplied wagons for the army during the revolution. He m. Anna 
Lawrence, who was b. 1742, and d. 1824, aged 82. He d. in 1789. 
They had five children, three of whom married, viz , Thomas, Abi- 
gail, and Mary. 

Thomas Gould was b. in Bridgewater, 1785 ; m. 1806, Sophia 
Lovis, who d. 1812, leaving three children. He m. Lydia Pierce, b. 
1790, dau. of Jonas and Lydia (Prentice) Pierce. 



2- 8 I Thomas Gould, Jr., b. in Boston, 1808; m. 1829, Lydia Ann 
W. Teel, b. in Newburyport, 1805. They resided in Boston till 
1840, when they removed to Lex. 



3- 4 

5 

6 
7 



1- 2 

3 
4 

6 

C 



1832, aged 7 months, 
m. 1855, Caroline Goddard of Boston, where 



Ann Maria, b. 1831 ; d 
Thomas IF., b. 1834; 

they reside. 
Charles W., b. 1836 ; d. 1865. 

Sophia Lovis, h. 1838; m. 1861, Edward B, Bailey of Waltham. 
Anna Matilda, b. 1841. 
Lucy M. B., b. 1843 ; m. 1864, Frank Whiting. 



James Gould, from the same parent stock, m. March 26, 1826, 
Caroline W. Brooks, dau. of Calvin Brooks of Ashburuham. They 
resided in CharlestowU till about 1845, when they moved to Lex. 

Francis J., b. Jan. 24, 1828; grad. H. C. 1850; m. Sept. 26, 1859, 

Martha A. Rice. He is a phvsician, r. in Georgia. 
Mary Caroline, b. July 10, 1830 ; d. May 24, 1864. 
Catharine Ann, b. Jan. 26, 1833 ; m. Jan. 13, 1860, Peter W. 

Hyndman of Prince Edwards Island, r. there. 
Rebecca Hicks, b. April 13, 1835; m. Jan. 5, 1862, Leonard A. 

Saville. 
Charles A., b. Oct. 10, 1837. He served in the army, and rose to 

the rank of captain — is now in Louisville, Ky. 
Arthur Frederic, b. July 30, 1841 ; he served nine months in the 

army in the rebellion. 
Sarah B., b. Dec. 17, 1843. 
Ellen Maria, b. Oct. 12, 1847 ; d. Dec. 16, 1866. 



THE GRAHAM FAMILY. 

Hugh Graham, b. in Putney, Vt., Dec. 6, 1804, was a son of 
Alexander Graham, who was son of Alexander Graham, one of the 
early settlers of Amherst, N. H. He came to Lex. about 1830. He 



GENEALOGICAT, REGISTER. 



79 



1- 2 



1-4- 



4- 7 



m. April fi, 1837, Ilepzibah Marshall of Lunenburfr. Tliov have 
had four cluldren : Mary Jane, b. March 19, 1843; Mnrtlia' A b 
Oct. 6, 1845, d. June 4, 1865 ; Sarah M., h. Aug. IG, 1851 ; Geory'a 



THE GllEEN FAMILY. 

This name has never been common in Lexington. Samukl Guf.kn 

m. Esther . They prol)ably came from VVo., where the Greens 

were numerous; and his wife was ad. to the ch. in Lex. Aug. 24, 
1724, by a letter of dismission from the ch. in Wo. They came to 
Lex. about 1718, as their first child was bap. in Lex. that year. He 
held some subordinate town olhce in 1724. There is but liule known 
of this (iunily. They probably resided near the middle of the town, 
as he was employed in 1720 to ring the bell, sweep the meeting 
house, and keep the key. He d. Aug. 10, 1751), aged 03. 

EstJier, b. Sept. 7, 1718; m. Sept. 2f), 1734, when she was only 16, 
Amos Muzzy. He d. June 2G, 1752, and she m. May 4, 1758, 
Thomas Prentice, Esq., of Newton, who d. March 3, 1760. 

Phebe, b. April 22, 1721 ; d. Aug. 0, 1722. 

j Samuel, b. April 17, 1723. 

Elizabeth, b. June 22, 1727 ; ad. to ch. Nov. 7, 1742 ; d. June 10, 
1750. 

Benjamin, b. Dec. 2, 1732 ; probably went to Waltham and m. 1756, 
Martha Brown, and in 1770 m. Eunice Smith. This may have 
been the Benjamin Green who d. in Lex. Oct. 26, 1822. 



Samuel Green m. April 3, 1750, Kezia Smith, 
or nothing: known of this lamilv. 



There is little 



Samuel, bap. Aug. 16, 1752 ; perhaps the Samuel Green who was 
dismissed to the ch. in Charlemont, March 28, 1779. 



There were other Greens in Lex. from time to time, but whether 
they were connections of the Samuel Green family, I have no means 
of knowing. 

Thomas Oreen came to Lex. from Camb. 1782. 

William Oreen and family came from Wo. 1792. 

Lucy Clark Oreen d. in Lex. Oct. 28, 1793. 

Benjamin Oreen was taxed in Lex. in 1784 and 1785, and subse- 
quently as a non-resident. 

Isaac Oreen, of Lex., m. Sept. 5, 1778, Eleanor Tufts of Medford. 



THE GREENLEAF FAMILY. 

The Greenleaf family of Lex. probably descended from Edmund 
Greenleaf of Newbury, who settled there 1635. He had a son, 
Stephen, who m. Sarah Kent, and had among other children Stephen, 
who m. Elizabeth Gerrish in 1676. They had a large family, and 
among them Stephen, b. Oct. 21, 1690. This Stephen was probably 
the St1?phen Greenleaf of Medford, who m. Mary, and had six chil- 
dren. Oardiner, their first child, b. Jan. 9, 1726, m. Jan. 21, 1748, 
Catharine Thompson. He d. Nov. 21, 1808. 

Jonathan Gkeenleaf, the fourth child of Gardiner, b. June 9» 
1754, m. May 5, 1778, Joanna Manning. 



80 



HISTORY OF ^LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 
3 

4 
6 
6 

7 



1-5- 



5- 9 
10 
11 



1- 2 
4 
6 

1-2- 



2- 8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

2 8- 



8-13 
15 



Jonathan, h. Feb. 16, 1784. 

Joanna, b. Dec. 28, 178G ; m. Amos Locke of Lex. 

William, b. Oct. 7, 1788. 

'[Thomas, b. Aug. 1, 1791 ; m. Oct. 2, 1822. Phebe Reed. 

Mary M., b. Dee. 28, 1792; d. unm. aged 17. 

Joseph, b. Jan. 31, 1794; d. unm. 

Sarah, b. Oct. 25, 1797 ; m. Upson, 



Thomas Greenleaf m Oct. 2, 1822, Phebe Reed, dau. of Joshua 
and Susanna (Leathers) Reed. He d. Sept. 29, 1862, aged 70. He 
resided in Lex. 

William, b. Oct. 25, 1825; m.Jisther Horton of Gorham, Me. 

Thomas, b. Dec. 17, 1826. 

Mary, b. Sept. 12, 1830; d. May 17, 1848. 



THE GRIMES FAMILY. 

There were Grimeses in Lex. at the time the town was incorpo- 
rated. The earliest record of any of the name is June 28, 1713. 
when Jonathan Grimes was bap., but the name of the parents is not 
given, nor have I ascertained from what place they came. George 
Grimes d. in Lex. July 28, 1716, aged 76. He could hardly have 
been the father of Jonathan. I am inclined to believe that William 
is the ancestor of the Lex. family. It is most likely he had other 
children, but I will set down the family as follows : 

William Grimes m. Mary, who was ad. to the ch. June 30, 1717. 
He d. June 1, 1719, aged 43. His gravestone is in the old yard in 
Lexington. 



\WiUiam, b. 1706. 

Jonathan, bap. June 28, 1713. 

Elizabeth, bap. June 30, 1717. 



3 Mary, b. . 

5 Joseph, bap. Aug. 21, 1715. 
7 Ruth, bap. May 13, 1719. 



William Grimes m. Bethia . 

and she d. March 15, 1772, aged 49. 



He d. Dec. 3, 1766, aged 60, 



\WiUiam, b. Sept. 19, 1744; m. Jan. 21, 1766, Abigail Reed. 

Joseph, b. Oct. 22, 1746 ; d. March 26, 1750. 

John, bap. Dec. 25, 1748; d. March 28, 1750. 

Mary, bap. July 28, 1751 ; m. Sept. 18, 1770, Samuel Ditson of Bil. 

Sarah, bap. Aug. 14, 1753. 



William Grimes m. Jan. 21, 1766, Abigail Reed, dau. of Wil- 
liam and Abigail (Stone) Reed, b. Sept. 22, 1744. They were ad. 
to the ch. Nov. 8, 1767. He was a member of Capt. Parker's com- 
pany, was on the Common on the 19th of April, 1775, and was also 
in a detachment of that company called to Camb. May 10 and June 
17 of the same year. He also did other service in the revolutionary 
war. He resided in the north part of the town, near where Mr. 
Cummings now resides, on Grove Street, which place still retains the 
name of its original owner and occupant. They were dismissed to 
the ch. at Littleton, Jan. 20, 1793, to which place they had removed. 



William, b. May 22, 1768. 
Nathan, bap. Dec. 20, 1772. 



14 Nabby, bap. June 24, 1770. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



81 



1-2- 



2- 3 

4 
5 

5- 6 



1- 2 
3 
4 
6 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 



THE GROVER FAMILY. 

John and Antipas Grover came to Lexin<Tton from Grafton in 
1789. The flvmily have not been nnmerous, but remain in town to 
the present time. John and Antipas are bebeved to be brotliers. 
Their father's name is said to be Benjamin, and hence we sliall set 
down as the head of the family Bkn.tamin Guovi:k, jjrobablv of 
Grafton. 

John Gkovku m. Aug. 12, 1790, Polly Pierce. He resided in 
the part of the town commonly known as Scotland. She was b Oct 
12, 1770, and d. Oct. 15, 1854, aged 74. 

Joh)i,_ b. April, 1792. lie m. Sarah Merrlam, of P>edford. Thoy 
resided a few years in Lexington, where they had tliree cliildrc'n 
born, viz. Mary Ann, Edward, and John; "they then moved to 
Boston, where he died. 

Nathaniel, b. June 4, 1791. He went to Boston, m. Katharine 
Biscom, of Charlestown. They now reside in Chelsea. 

William, b. Oct. 17, 1796; m. Oct. 1.'^, 1829, Lucy Harrington, and 
second, Oct. 8, 1831, Maria Fessenden, dan. of Nathan I"\'s.sen- 
den. They reside on Lowell street, near Woburn street. They 
have the following children. 

William Henry, b. April 21, 1837. 

Caroline M., b. Sept. 6, 1838. She is a teacher in Boston. 

Charles A., b. March 24, 1841. 

Mary Jane, b. Aug. 29, 1843; d. June 25, 1847. 

Alice Jane, b.Feb. 17, 1846. 



Antipas Grover m. May 27, 1794, Sarah Pierce. They lived 
on Lowell street near where George Munroe now resides. They had 
one child born in Lexington, as seen by the record — Nathan Grover 
b. Jan. 1, 1795. They buried an infant Feb. 4, 1796. They moved 
to Fitzwilliam, N. H. 



THE HADLEY FAMILY. 

The Iladleys, or Headleys, as the name is sometimes spelt in our 
records, first appear about 1740 ; from what place they came we have 
not ascertained. The records of the family are very imperfect, and 
tradition but poorly supplies the defect. 

Thomas Hadley m, April 15, 1741, Ruth Lawrence, dan. of 
Samuel and Elizabeth Lawrence. He d. July 15, 1788, in his 75th 
vear, hence must have been born 1712. She d., May 26, 1819, at 
the advanced age of 94. lie was a member of the gallant band who 
appeared under Capt. Parker in 1775. He was probably a son of 
Benjamin and Mehitable Hadley, of Groton, b. Aug. 11, 1712. 

Elizabeth, b. May 11. 1742; d. April 18, 1832, unm. aged 90. 

Tliomas, b. July 3, 1744 ; d. in early inAxncy. 

\Samuel, b. July 9, 1746 ; killed on the Common, Aprd 19, 17/5. 

Ridh, b. May 15, 1749 ; d. in infancy. 

Ebenezer, b. May 5, 1751 ; m. May 11, 1779, Phebe Wmship. 

j Thomas, h. July 8, 1754. 

\Benjamin, b. July 25, 1756. ^ ^ , 

Ruth b June 1, 1759; m. Nov. 30. 1780, James Fowle, of Camb. 

\Simon, b. July 26, 1761 ; m. Jan. 27, 1791, Olive Porter, of Bed. 



82 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



11 Sarah, b. Nov. 26, 1764 ; m. April 26, 1784, David Fiske, 3d. 

12 Mary, b. May 20, 1767 ; d. in Boston, unm. 

13 John, b. Aug. 6, 1770; d. in Cambridge. 

1-4- Samuel Hadley m. Betty Jones. He was of the number who 

died for freedom on the first morning of the Revolution, and whose 
memory is embalmed in the hearts of his countrymen. After his 
death his widow m. again. 

4-14 Lucij, bap. April 22, 1772. 

15 Betty, bap. May 24, 1772 ; m. Dec. 25, 1793, William Blackington, 
of West Cambridge. 

16 Samuel, bap. May 8, 1774. 

^-7- Thomas Hadley ra. Sept. 16, 1773, Alice Xewton, of Bedford. 

She united with the ch. in Lexington, July 16, 1778. In September 
of the same year, three of their children. Amity, Alice, and Calley, 
were baptized. He probably d. about 1784, and she m. Feb. 21, 
1785, Samuel Merriam, of Bedford. The record of the marriage 
has this addendum : " Said Alice Hadley married in a borrowed suit 
of cloathes." We find no record of the birth of his children ; but 
find the marriage of Thomas Statson, of Boston, and Amity Hadley, 
of Lexington, Feb. 26, 1792, who was probably his daughter. 
The singularity of her wedding suit probably arose from a notion 
which formerly prevailed, that if a man married a wife, and had no 
property with her, he could not be held responsible for any of her 
debts. Hence he took her without even the clothing she had on. 



1-8- 



3-17 

18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 



1-10- 



Benjamin Hadley m. Lucy Dean, of Wilmington. He was a 
member of that patriot band commanded by Capt. Parker in 1775. 



Benjamin, b. 



He went to Charlestown, m. Martha Ireland, 



and d. 1852. 
Samuel, b. March 30, 1785 ; d. in the army, 1813. 
John, b. Aug. 10, 1788; m. Jan. 1, 1822, Susan Harrington. 

Thomas, b. ; m. Thankful Whitney, went to N. Y. 

Jonas, b. ; m. Mary Ann AVhitney. 

Martha, b. ; m. Joseph Littlefield, lived at Somerville. 

Lucy, b. ; m. Joseph Miller, lives at Sandwich. 

Eliza, b. ; d. Aug. 1857, unm. in Lexington. 

As we have no record of this family, they may not be arranged in 
chronological order. 

Simon Hadley m. Jan. 27, 1791, Olive Porter, of Bedford. 
Previous to his marriage, we find this entry upon the town record : 
"Betsey Hadley, dau. of Simeon Hadley and Betty Locke, born 
April 11, 1784"; from which we infer that he may have had two 
wives, and that Olive Porter was his second wife. 



There are several families of Hadleys in town at the present day, 
but the imperfect records, and the want of the necessary information 
in the families on this subject, prevent a proper classification, or a 
connection of them with the Hadleys mentioned above. The follow- 
ing is all that has been obtained. 

Sewell Hadley, thought to be the son of Samuel, m. Lovina 
Hall, of West Camb. She d. May 14, 1841, aged 39. They had 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



«3 



1- 2 
4 
5 
6 

8 
9 



the following children, viz. Lovlna, b. Aug. 31, 1819; m. Dec. 2"). 

1844:, George Stearns ; Sewell Thomas, b. ; Bcujdinin, h. Apr." 

12, 1828; Mary Ann, twin with Benjamin. 



D. 



Sewell Thomas IIadley m. Nov. 30, 1846, Millicent A. 
Lakin, dau. of Samuel. They have had Charles S., b. Sept. 22, 
1850; d. Jan. 7, 1855; Avert/ T., b. May 25, 1853; Millicent A. \ 
b. Aug. 28, 1855; Adelle C, b. Jan. 12, 1858; Florence E., b. Jan. 
3, 1861; L. Evelyn, b. July 22, 1863. 



Benjamin Hadley m. Anna Hall, July 4, 1852. They have four 
chil. Gilbert P., h. July 16, 1853; Warren; Charles; Anna. 



Jonas IIadley, son of Benjamin, b. 1809; m. April, 1841, Mary 
Ann Whitney, of Wat. dau. of Jonathan Whitney. They have 
Jonas H., b. Nov. 1, 1845 ; Mary Eliza, b. Jan. G, 1850. 



THE HALL FAMILY. 

Ammi Hall, son of Ebenezer Hall of West Camb., b. Jan. 16, 
1798; m. April 21, 1834, Eliza Crandall of Salem. He came to 
Lex. when a young man, and d. here April 10, 1867, aged 70 years. 
They have had but one child, Eliza A., b. Jan. 25, 1835. 



THE HAM FAMILY. 

William Ham, b. at Grampond, County of Cornwall, Eng., Nov. 
21, 1818. He came to this country in 1837, and settled in Charles- 
town, where he remained till 1855. In 1856, he settled in Lex. 
Though he left old Eiig. in 1S37, the remembrance of early acquain- 
tance induced him to revisit his native country, and take ^Iary Grose 
as a wife. They were m. Jan. 21, 1846. They have had six chil- 
dren. WilWim F., b. Aug. 2, 1846; he has served three years in 
the U. S. army ; Walter T., b. July 17, 1848 ; Lucy Ann, b. Feb. 21, 
1850; Joseph F., b. Feb. 14, 1853; Mary P., b. April 11, 1855, d. 
April 15, 1865; Jane T., h. Sept. 11, 1857. 



THE HANCOCK FAMILY. 

Though we have had occasion to speak of Rev. John Hancock, the 
second minister of Lex., and of several members of that family, I 
will, in accordance with the plan I have adopted, give a connected 
view of the family. 

Nathaniel Hancock was in Camb. as early as 1635. He m. 
Jane, and had a large family of children. His oldest child may have 
been born before he came to this country. He d. 1652. 

Mary, b. Nov. 3, 1634. 3 Sarah, b. ]\Iarch 3 1636 

\Naihanicl, b. Dec. 13, 1638; m. Mary Prentice, March 8, 1664. 

John, b. April ; d. April 2, 1642 

Elizabeth, b. March 1, 1644. 7 Lydia, h. July 2, 1646. 

Abigail, b. ; d. ]\Iay 7, 1672. 

Ann, b. ; d. Oct. 5, 1672. 



84 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1-4- 



4-U- 



14-22 
23 
24 

25 



26 



4-15- 



17-27 
28 
29 



Nathaniel Hancock m. March 8, 1664, Mary, dau. of Henry 
Prentice of Camb. He was a dea. of the ch., and appears to have 
enjoyed the^confidence of his fellow-citizens. He d. April 12, 1719, 
in his eighty-first year. 

Nathaniel, b. Feb. 28, 1665 ; d. same year. 

Mary, b. May 6, 1666. 11 Sarah, b. Aug. 23, 1667. 

Nathaniel, b. Oct. 29, 1668. He m. Prudence, who d. July 15, 
1742, aged 72. He had five children, among whom was Nathaniel, 
b. Jan. 14, 1701, grad. at H. C. 1721, settled as a clergyman, and 
d. 1744. 

Abigail, b. Dec. 22, 1669 ; d. young. 

'^Jolm, b. Dec. 1671; grad. H. C. 1689. 

\Samuel, b. June 2, 1673 ; m. Dorothy . 

Abigail, b. Aug. 25, 1675. 17 Elizabeth, b. Aug. 25, 1677. 

Ebenezer, b. March 28, 1681 ; m. Susanna Clark, Jan. 14, 1702, 

Joseph, b. April 28, 1683. 

Thomas, b, 1685; m. Oct. 30, 1712, Susanna Fethergill. 

Solomon, b. . 



John Hancock grad. H, C. 1689, and settled in Lex. He m. 
Elizabeth Clark, dau. of Rev. Thomas and Mary Clark of Chelms- 
ford. Mr. Clark was b. in Boston about 1652, grad. H. C. 1670, 
settled in Chelmsford, 1677, d. Dec. 7, 1704. His wife, IMary, d. 
Dec. 2, 1700, and Mr Clark m. Elizabeth "Whiting of Billerica. 
Mr. Hancock probably resided in that part of Camb. which is now 
Newton. In the church record kept by Rev. Mr. Hancock, we find 
this entry. " Oct. 16, 1698. I was received into full couniivmion 
with the church of Christ in this place (Lexington) by virtue of a 
letter of dismission from the ch. of Christ in Newtowne." He was 
ordained at Lex. Nov. 2, 1698. He d. Dec. 5, 1752, in the eighty- 
first year of his age, and in the fifty-fifth of his ministry. His wife d. 
Feb. 13, 1760. I have had occasion to speak oi' Bishop Hancock, as 
he was familiarly called, in all the relations of life, and have done it 
so fully that it is entirely unnecessary to add anything more in this 
place. His remains rest in a tomb in Lex. with those of his wife and 
son Ebenezer, together witb those of his successor, Rev. Jonas 
Clarke, and his family. 

^John, b. June 1, 1702; m. Mrs. Mary H. Thaxter. 

\Tliomas, b. July 13, 1703; m. Lydia Henchman. 

Elizabeth, b. Feb 5, 1705; m. Rev. Jonathan Bowman of Dorches- 
ter. She was bap. tlie day of her birth. 

Ebenezer, b. Dec. 7, 1710. He was grad. H. C. 1728, was settled a 
colleague with his fatlier Jan. 2, 1734, and d. Jan. 28, 1740, with- 
out issue. He was highly esteemed by the people of the parish. 

Lucy, b. April 20, 1713; m Rev. Nicholas Bowes of Bedford. It is 
a singular fact that Lucy Hancock, the daughter of a clergyman, 
married a clergyman, and her daughter, Lucy, became the wife of 
Rev. Jonas Clarke of Lex., and that from them clergymen have 
proceeded as streams from a fountain. 



Samuel Hancock m. Dorothy . He probably came to Lex. 

about the time of his brother's settlement, as his son John was bap. 
here in Sept. 1699. He was ad. to the ch. in Lex. April 10, 1715. 

John, bap. Sept. 10, 1699; d. in Camb. March 18, 1776, aged 77. 
Mary, bap. April 19, 1702; probably m. James Thompson of Wo. 
Solomon, bap. June 18, 1704. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



85 



14-22- 



22-33 
34 
35 

14-23- 



22-33- 



Samnel, bap. July 21, 170G ; d. June 14, 1716. 

Hannah, bap. Feb. 27, 1709. 32 Sarah, bap. Feb. 17, 1712. 



John Hancock grad. at H. C. 1719, and was ordained at Brain- 
tree, Nov. 2, 1728, and d. May 7, 1744. He ni. INIary II., widow of 
Samuel Tliaxter of Braintree. He was a divine of more than ordi- 
nary ability, and, thougli he d. young, had arisen to distinction in 
his profession, and so gave weight to the character and celebrity of 
the name. 

\John, b. Jan. 23, 1737; m. 1775. Dorotliv Quincy. 
Ebenezer, b. Nov. 26, 1741 ; m. Eliza Lowell. 
Mary, b. ; m. Richard Perkins, and d. 1779. 



Thomas Hancock m. Nov. 5, 1730, Lydia Henchman. He was 
a merchant in Boston, was eminently successful, and accumulated a 
large fortune. He d. 1764, without issue, and gave the great mass 
of his property to John, his nejjhew, a son of his brother John of 
Braintree, deceased. He built a iiouse in Lexington for his honored 
father about 1735, which afterward became the properly and resi- 
dence of Rev. Jonas Clarke, his father's successor. The house is 
now standing, and is revered for its age and associations. 

John Hancock m. at Fairfield, Conn., Sept. 4, 1775, Dorothy 
Quincy, dau. of Edmund Quincy of Boston. The relations which 
John Hancock sustained to the town of Lex. — the birthplace of his 
father, and the residence of some of his near relations and esteemed 
friends ; the place where he had spent some seven years of his boy- 
hood, and where he was boarding temporarily at the opening of the 
Revolutionary drama — will justify us in going a little beyond our 
ordinary course, and noticing somewhat in detail the character and 
services of this Revolutionary patriot. John Han(;ock was left an 
orphan by the death of his fatiier, when he was but seven years of 
age. His education was intrusted to the care of his relatives, and 
he spent the greater portion of his boyhood with his grandfather in 
Lex. He was graduated at Harvard College in 1754. He entered 
the store or counting house of his uncle Thomas as a clerk, where he 
ae(juired a knowledge of business, and learned the importance of 
commerce to the colony. He made such proficiency in business, 
that in 1760 be was sent abroad to look after the affairs of the house ; 
and was in England, and present at the funeral of George II., and 
at the coronation of George HL, — pageants not uncongenial to his 
taste. Soon after his return to this country, and about the time that 
the oppressive policy of the British ministry began to develop itself, 
he came into possession of the princely fortune left him by his uncle. 
It is well known that great efforts were made by the Royalists to 
engage him on the side of the mother country. Standing, as he did, 
almost at the head of the merchants of Boston, it was a great object 
to enlist him in the Royal cause. The safety of his large property, 
the flatterino- offers of promotion and place, would naturally have 
their influence on a young man of Hancock's taste and temperament, 
comino- at once into possession of such an estate ; and it was at 
one time suspected that he was inclined to join the royal party. But 
happily for him and for America, there were other influences which 
were brought to bear upon him. That stern and inflexible patriot, 
Samuel Adams, who in a manner held the fortunes of the colony in 
his hand, contributed in no small degree to the wise choice which 
Hancock made. There was another influence, more silent but more 
controling, which contributed to the formation of his character. 
69 



86 



mSTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



Rev. Jonas Clarke of Lexington, his old college acquaintance, had 
married a cousin of Hancock's. Mr. Clarke was then residing in the 
house erected by Thomas Hancock of Boston for a residence of his 
venerable father. In this mansion young Hancock had spent a por- 
tion of his early life. All these circumstances would naturally draw 
him to Lexington. And it is well known that there was a peculiar 
intimacy between him and Mr. Clarke, whose devotion to the inter- 
ests of the Colony was well known and acknowledged. The dignity 
of character, the urbanity of manners, and the commanding talenta 
of the patriotic priest, must have impressed the mind of the pliant and 
generous young merchant. And those who know the character and 
talents and patriotic devotion to the cause of liberty of Mr. Clarke, 
will not doubt that his influence upon his nephew must have been 
great and controlling, and all in the right direction. 

Under such inHuences John Hancock chose the better part, and 
devoted himself and his all to the cause of his country. Having made 
his choice, no man in the community was more decided, and no man 
had more at stake. With his large property in the town of Boston 
at the mercy of the enemy, he declared himself perfectly willing, if 
it was thought the best policy, to lay the place in ashes. At a meet- 
ing of the "North End Caucus," an association of patriots of which 
he was a member, the question of the best mode of expelling the 
regulars from Boston being under discussion, he exclaimed, *' Burn 
Boston, and make John Hancock a beggar, if the public good 
requires it." In a letter to Washington, dated Dec. 22, 1775, in- 
forming him that Congress had authorized him to attack the British 
in the town of Boston, if he thought it expedient, Hancock employs 
this patriotic language, — " I heartily wish it, though personally I 
may be the greatest sufferer." No one can doubt the patriotism of 
John Hancock. He came in direct contact with Royal authority, and 
was ever found true and reliable. The manner in which he was 
treated by the crown officers shows that they regarded him as hope- 
lessly lost to their cause. He was elected a representative from Bos- 
ton, and also a member of the Council, but was rejected and spurned 
by the royal prerogative. In 1767 Gov. Bernard sent him a lieuten- 
ant's commission, but he tore it in pieces in presence of the citizens. 
He was captain of the cadets, the Governor's body guard, and was 
removed by Gage. He also received several personal indignities 
from the British troops stationed in Boston before the breaking out 
of hostilities. The fact that he was coupled with Samuel Adams in 
the proclamation of Gage inmiediately after the battle of Lexington, 
and proscribed as beyond the pale of executive clemency, shows the 
light in which he was viewed by the minions of power. 

In 1774, John Hancock was selected as the orator to deliver the 
address on the anniversary of the Boston massacre, and the bold, 
independent manner in which he spoke of the rights of the people, 
gave great offence to the friends of Parliament. John Adams, who 
was present, says of this performance, "the composition, the pro- 
nunciation, the action, all exceeded the expectations of everybody. 
They exceeded even mine, which were very considerable." In the 
same year John Hancock was elected to represent the town of Boston 
at a General Court, which was called at Salem. And although Gage 
subsequently to the election issued a proclamation excusing their at- 
tendance, many of the representatives assembled, and after waiting 
one day, they organized themselves into a convention, and elected 
John Hancock chairman ; and when the same body resolved them- 
selves into a Provincial Congress, they organized by choosing John 
Hancock President, and adjourned to Concord. During the session 
measures were adopted looking directly to open resistance, and no 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



87 



one of that band of patriots was more firm and decided than he who 
presided over their deliberations. He was elected chairman of the 
Committee of Safety, and also of the committee to take into consid- 
eration the state of the Province — the two most important commit- 
tees. During the same Congress he was chosen a delegate to the 
Continental Congress, which met at Philadelphia, May 10, 1775. 
Having taken a seat in that august body, he found that his fame had 
preceded him, for on the third day of the session he was chosen 
unanimously to succeed Peyton Randolph, as President. He was 
President of Congress in 1776, and when the Declaration of 
Independence was first circulated among the members of that body, 
it bore the name of John Hancock alone, as President of the Con- 
gress, he being the first to affix his name to an instrument which would 
have proved the death-warrant of the signers, if the cause of the Col- 
onies had not succeeded ; and it is said that the bold and striking 
characteristics of his signature served to inspire confidence and con- 
firm the doubtful. He resigned his station as President in October, 
1777, owing to ill-health. 

In 1780, John Hancock was elected a member of the Convention 
which framed the State Constitution, and was the first Governor of 
Massachusetts after its adoption, to which olHce he was several times 
reelected. As a man and a public servant, be was noted for his 
benevolence and hospitality — spending his money freely to enter- 
tain distinguished guests, or to relieve the distresses of the poor 
and unfortunate. 

Gov. Hancock was elected a delegate to the State Convention on 
the adoption of the Federal Constitution, and was made President 
of that body. For a time it was exceedingly doubtful whether the 
Constitution would be ratified or rejected. Hancock favored the 
scheme of adopting it, and at the same time proposing certain amend- 
ments to obviate the objections which had been made to it. This 
plan was adopted, and the Constitution was ratified by a small major- 
ity. It was thought at the time that without his infiuence it would 
have been lost. On taking the question he said, " I should have con- 
sidered it one of the most distressing misfortunes of my life to be 
deprived of giving my aid and support to a system which, if amended, 
as I feel assured it will be, according to your proposals, cannot fail 
to give the people of the United States a greater degree of political 
freedom, and eventually as much national dignity as falls to the lot of 
any nation on earth. The question now before you is such as no na- 
tion on earth, without the limits of America, has ever had the priv- 
ilege of deciding." Thus are we in a manner indebted to John 
Hancock for the blessed Constitution under which we live, and which 
has fully verified his prediction. 

The public mind has been somewhat divided in its estimate of the 
talents of John Hancock, and of the importance of his public 
services. In point of ability he held a highly respectable rank. 
His talents were of a popular and showy, rather than of a profound 
character. Though he had not the far-reaching sagacity of Samuel 
Adams or the logical acumen of Joseph Hawley or John Adams, or 
the active, stirring energy of Warren, yet he tilled a place among 
the patriots of that day which no other man could fill, and exerted 
an influence highly beneficial to the great cause of freedom — ope- 
rating in commercial circles where the motive of interest strongly 
tended to the roval cause. He may have been vain, but vanity can 
be pardoned when it can justly boast of making so great a sacriface 
, for the benefit of coming generations. He may have been ambitious; 
but his ambition was of a public character. He desired promotion 
I that he might further a good cause — he sought place that he might 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



S3-36 
37 



dispense his liberal fortune, and show that the hospitalities and even 
the graces and refinements of life were not of necessity confined to 
princes, and that those " who wore soft raiment are not" always, " in 
kings' houses." Whatever blemishes of character a fastidious criti- 
cism may discover in John Hancock, we ai-e satisfied that but few 
men, in this or any other country, can point to acts more noble, and 
to sacrifices more disinterested than those which appear in his char- 
acter ; and few men ever gave greater evidence of active devotion 
to their country's welfare. 

And when we say that inpoint of talent and influence he fell below 
Samuel Adams, we only say of him what would be true of any other 
man of that day ; for in reference to talents in the broadest sense of 
that term, Samuel Adams had no equal. Others may have been more 
learned, or may have excelled him in some particulars ; but in his 
knowledge of the science of human government, and of the great 
principles of rational liberty — in his knowledge of men and the 
springs of action in the human heart, he certainly had no superior. 
And when we consider that this knowledge was ever under the con- 
trol of that lofty patriotism, that uncon(juerable fidelity to principle, 
that calm and indomitable will for which he was always distinguished, 
we can truly say of him that he was the founder of civil liberty in 
Massachusetts — in New England — in America. The author of 
the "Life of Samuel Adams," has shown that he was second to 
no man among us ; and his memory will be cherished as long as civil 
liberty has an enlightened devotee. 

John Hancock resided in Boston, in what was then regarded as a 
princely mansion on Beacon street, fronting upon, and overlooking 
the Common. The house stood till I8G0, when it was taken down. 
An effort had been made by the State to purchase the property and 
preserve the mansion for the residence of the successive Governors 
of the Commonwealth ; that they might show their respect for the illus- 
trious patriot who first graced and adorned it ; and that his disin- 
terested patriotism might warm the breast of those who might be 
called to fill the high office first filled and adorned by John Hancock. 

Mr. Hancock always cherished a fond recollection of Lexington, 
sis the birth-place of his father, the residence of his grandfather, and 
the place where he spent the playful portion of his boyhood. He 
also revered it as the place where he took counsel with Rev. Jonas 
Clarke on matters of awful moment ; and the place where under his 
own direction the patriotic men of Lexington stood firmly before the 
invaders of their rights. This attachment to Lexington he manl- 
fe'sted by gifts to the church and society. 

We h'ave said before, that John Hancock m. September 4, 1775, 
Dorothy Quincy of Boston, dau. of Edmund Quincy. He d. Oct. 
8, 1793, aged 5(3. She m. July 28, 1796, James Scott, the master of 
a London packet, formerly in the employ of her first husband. She 
outlived Capt. Scott many years, and retained her faculties to the 
last. She was a lady of superior education and accomplishments, 
and was gifted with wonderful powers of conversation. She was one 
of the first persons sought by Lafayette, when he visited this country 
in 1824. " Those who witnessed this hearty interview, speak of it 
with admiration. The once youthful chevalier and the unrivalled 
belle met, as if only a summer had passed since they had enjoyed 
social interviews in the perils of the Revolution." She d. Feb. 3, 
1830, aged 83 years. 

Lydia, b. and d. in Philadelphia, 1776. 

John Oeorge Washington, b. 1778, and was killed at Milton, when 

skating on the ice, Jan. 27, 1787. Thus the family of John 

Hancock became extinct. 



GENEALOGICAI, REGISTER. 



89 



1- 2 
3 
4 
5 

6 

7 



14 



1-3- 



3-15 

16 
17 
18 
19 

1-6- 



6-20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 

3-16- 



THE HARRINGTON FAMILY. 

The name of Harrington is found in almost every town in Now 
England; and it is probable that most, if not all of tliem, di-scendeil 
from or at least were relatives of Robert Harrington of Watertown, 
who was in that-town as early as 1642. He had a numerous fainilv, 
who were widely dispersed. He came from England where many of 
his children were born. 

George Harrington, from whom our Lexington Harrington de- 
scended, Avas probably a son or brother of Robert. He m. Susanna 

, and had, as was common in those days, a large Himily of 

thirteen children. He resided in Watertown. Two of his grand- 
children settled in Lexington. 

Susanna, h. Aug. 18, 1649; m. Feb. 9, 1G61, John Cutting. 

jJohn, b. Aug. 24, 1651 ; d. Aug. 24,.174L 

Robert, b. Aug. 31, 1653; probably d. young. 

George, b. Nov. 24, 1655. He belonged to Capt. Wadsworth's com- 
pany, and was killed by the Indians at Lan. 1675. 

'[Daniel, b. Nov. 1, 1657 ; ad. freeman 1690. 

Joseph, b. Dec. 28, 1659 ; ad. freeman 1690. 

Benjamin, b. June 26, 1662; d. 1724. 

Mary, b. Jan. 12, 1664; m. about 1680, John Bemis, and had four- 
teen children. 

Thomas, b. April 20, 1665; ad. freeman 1690. 

Samuel, b. Dec. 18, 1666. 

Edward, b. March 2, 1669. 

Sarah,h. March 10, 1671; m. Nov. 24, 1687, Joseph Winship of 
Cambridge. 

David, b. June 1, 1673; d. March 11, 1675. 



John Harrington m. Nov. 17, 1681, Hannah Winter, dau. of 
John Winter. Jr., of Watertown, but afterwards of Camb. Farms. 
She d. July 17, 1741, and he d. Aug. 24, 1741, in that part of Wa- 
tertown now Waltham. 

Hannah, b. Aug. 9, 1682; m. April 29, 1703, Eleazer Hammond of 

Newton. 
\John, b. Oct. 1684 ; m. Ap. 12, 1705, Eliz. Cutter of Camb. Farms. 
Mary, b. May 11, 1687 ; m. March 8, 1709, Thomas Hammond. 
Lydia, bap. March 2, 1690. 
James, bap. April 2, 1695. 19^ Patience, bap. Oct. 10, 1697. 



Daniel Harrington m. Oct. 18, 1681, Sarah AVhitney. She d. 
June 8, 1720, and he m. second, Oct. 25, 1720, Elizabeth, wid. of 
Capt. Benjamin Garfield, and dau. of Matthew and Anna Bridge of 
Cambridge. 

Daniel, b. Feb. 24, 1684; d. young. _ 

\Rohert, b. July 2, 1686; m. Nov. 15, 1711, Anna Harrington. 
Daniel, b. July 10, 1687. , , t>- i 

Jonathan, b. March 21, 1690 ; m. Feb. 28, 1724, Elizabeth Bigelow. 
Joseph, b. Feb. 4, 1691. .. , . , t • 

Sarah, b. Oct. 28, 1693; m. June 11, 1711, Nathaniel Livermore. 



John Harrington m. April 12, 1705, Elizabeth Cutter, then of 
Camb Farms, but now Lex., where he settled. His name appears 
upon our records for the first time in 1713, when John-Harringtoa 



90 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



16-26 
27 
28 
20 
30 
31 
32 
33 

6-21- 



21-34 
35 
36 



16-26- 



26-40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
47 
48 
50 

16-27- 



appeared before the selectmen, and offered on certain conditions, to 
give the right of way across his land. His residency must have been 
easterly of Hancock Hill, near the residence of the late Joseph Fiske. 
He d. Nov. 29, 1750. Some articles in the inventory of his estate, 
show the fashions of the day — " Leather britches, a new dark wigg, 
sundry old wiggs, yarn leggens, pistols, waKining pan, wooden plates." 

\Ricliard, b. Sept. 26, 1707. 

\Moses, b. Jan. 6, 1710; d. Jan. 11, 1787. 

\Henry, b. Jan. 8, 1712. 

John, b. IMarch 22, 1714; d. Aug. 29, 1750. 

Hannah, bap. in Watertown, Feb. 20, 1715. 

William, b. Feb. 4, 1717; d. Sept. 28, 1717. 

Abigail, b. Dec. 4, 1718; m. Mar. 1, 1738, John Palls of Townsend. 

Caleb, b. July 13, 1721 ; d. 1747. 



Robert Harrington m. Nov. 15, 1711, Anna Harrington of 
Watertown, dau. of Samuel and Grace Harrington. He was a black- 
smith, and settled in Lexington on the main street, near the present 
residence of P. P. Pierce. His name first appears upon our church 
records in 1712, when Samuel Harrington was bap., his father Robert 
owning the covenant. He was chosen & fence viewer in 1713, so he 
must have been a permanent resident at that time. He d. Feb. 5, 
1774, aged 89, and she d. Oct. 16, 1777, aged 85. He was cousin to 
John, who came to Lexington from Watertown about the same time. 
These two were the ancestors of the numerous family of Harring- 
tons which afterwards appear on our records. 

Samuel, b. July 28, 1712; d. Sept. 29, 1712. 

Samuel, b. April 15, 1714. 

Anna, b. June 2, and bap. in Watertown, .Tune 10, 1716. She m. 
her cousin. Rev. Timothy Harrington. He was settled at Swan- 
zey, N. H. That town was destroyed by the Indians, April 2, 
1747, and he was the next year settled at Lancaster, Mass., where 
hed. May 17, 1778. 

]Robert, b. April 26, 1719 ; m. Abigail Mason. 

'[Jonathan, b. May 21, 1723. 

Orace, bap. Dec. 4, 1729 ; d. April 10, 1759, unm. 



Richard Harrington m. Abigail . He resided on Adams 

street, near where George F. Chapman now resides. 

Ebenezer, b. March 16, 1733 ; probably d. young. 

Thankful, b. Jan. 16, 1734; d. unm. 

Thaddeus, b. Sept. 9, 1736. Enrolled in Capt. Parker's co. 1775. 

Hannah, b. March 8, 1738. 

Ephraim, b March 2, 1739 ; d. Oct. 20, 1742. 

Nathan, b. Dec. 25, 1740. 46 Ebenezer, b. March, 16, 1743. 

Solomon, b. Jan. 27, 1746 ; d. Nov. 12. 1750. 

Stephen, b. May 23, 1748. 49 Simeon, b. July 8, 1750. 

Seth, b. Oct. 30, 1752. 51 Abigail, b. Aug. 9, 1754. 



Moses Harrington m. Martha ? who was ad. to the ch. June 

2, 1734. We learn by tradition that he had several children, though 
the records are silent upon the subject. He d. Jan. 11, 1787. It is 
said that he had Moses, Betsey, and Caleb, the latter of whom was 
the Caleb Harrington who was killed on the Common on the 19th 
of April, 1775. He is said to have been about twenty-five years of 
age at the time of his death. Betsey m. first, Ebenezer White, 
and, second, Thomas Cutler. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



91 



16-28- 



28-52 
53 
54 
55 
6G 
57 
58 
59 
60 
61 
62 

21-37- 



37-63 
64 
65 
66 
67 
68 
69 
70 



21-38- 



Henry Hauhingtox m. June 4, 1735, Sarah Laufrliton. dau of 
Dea. John and Sarah LauRliton. She d. in chiUlhed. May ID ijco 

and he m. second, Abigail , the widow of Ebenczcr lUu.l.r,.it' 

She lived to a great age, and was a woman of great peeuliariiics' 
Henry Harrington resided under the hill, near the residence of Mr" 
Hutchinson. He d. Dee. 25, 1791, aged 80; she d. Jan. 23 18'(l" 
aged 94. ' ' 

Sarah, b. Sept. 17, 1735; m. May 28, 1755, Thomas Winshlp. 

\ Henri/, h. Aug. 27, 1737 ; m. Oct. 25, 1759, Ruth Blodgett. 

■\Jeremiah, h. about 1741 ; m. Dee. 21, 1709, Sarah Locke. 

\JoJui, b. about 1743 ; m. JMary Wootten. 

^Jonathan, b. about 1745; m. Ruth Fiskc. 

\Tho7nas, b. about 1748; m. Lucy Perry. 

Elizabeth, b. Sept. 17, 1750; in. 'Nathan Munroe. 

William, b. Mar. 18, 1752 ; d. June 20, 1778, in small pox hospital 

fi/oses, b. March 22, 1754; m. Mary Reed. 

Mary, b. Ap. 19, 1756 ; m. Newell Reed of Wo. prec, Oct. 10, 1777. 

\Ebenezer, b. May 15, 1760; m. Sept. 4, 1788, Mrs. Sarah Johnson. 



Robert IlARRixGTOisr m. Abigail IMason, dau. of Daniel and Ex- 
perience Mason of Newton. They were ad. to the ch. in Lex. Au"-. ■ 
11, 1745. She d. Aug. 25, 1778, aged 57, and he m. April Ki, 1781, 
widow Chloe Trask. He d. ]\Iay 30, 1793, aged 74. He filled many 
town offices, and bore the dignified title of Ensign Harrington. He 
was one of the selectmen in 1752, and was re-elected to that station 
some twelve or fourteen years, and was chairman of the board in the 
eventful period of the Revolution, when many important duties de- 
volved upon him. He was also many years a magistrate, and repre- 
sented the town four years in the General Court. 

\Thaddcus, b. Sept.,9, 173G ; m. Sept. 20, 1704, Lydia Porter of Wo. 
\Baniel, b. May 25, 1739; in. Anna JMunroe. 
Annaritte, bap. Aug. 12, 1744; probablv d. young. 
Belty, b. May 23, 1745 ; d. Oct. 27, 1745. _ 
Elizabeth, b. Sept. 0, 1747; m. Samuel Smith. 
Abigail, b. Dec. 23, 1749; d. young. 
Abigail, b. Aug. 9, 1754; in. Dr. David Fiske. 

\Abijah, b. Feb. 7, 1761 ; m. first, Polly Raymond, and second, 
widow Locke, 



Jonathan Harrington m. Aug. 1, 1750, Mrs. Abigail Dunster. 
She d. June 30, 1770, and he in. second, ]\Irs. Lydia >lulliken, wid. 
of Nathaniel Mulliken. He d. Sept. 14, 1809, aged 87; and she d. 
Nov. 13, 1783, aged 57. He was several years selectman, and was 
one of the committee of correspondence in 1778, in the midst of the 
Revolution. lie was a true son of liberty, and was found on the 
19th of April at the post of danger. 

38-71 Bebecca, b. Feb. 17, 1751 ; m. Aug. 31, 1769, Edmund Munroe. 

72 Mary, b. April 11, 1753. 

73 Anna, b. Feb. 19, 1756; m. April 21, 1778, Cally Newell. 

74 \Jonathan, b. July 8, 1758; in. Nov. 19, 1777, Sally Banks. 

75 Charles, b. Nov. 15, 1700; d. Dec. 24, 1761. 

76 '^Charles, b. I\Larch 24, 1703; m. Dec. 18, 1786, Mary Brown. 

77 \Solomon, b. Feb. 22, 1706 ; m. Polly Bent. 

78 \Peter, bap. July 20, 1772 ; m. Lydia Loring. 



92 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



28-53- 



53-79 
80 
81 
82 
83 
84 
85 



28-54- 



54-86 
87 



28-55- 



55-89 
90 
92 
94 

28-56- 



56-95 
28-57- 



57-96 
28-60- 



Henry Harrington m. Oct. 25, 1759, Ruth Blod<xett, dau. of 
Joseph Blodgett. They were ad. to the ch. June 2, 1703. He was 
a soldier in the French war, in 1750 and 1758. 

\Hennj, b. May 25, 1700; m. March 13, 1783, Amity Pierce. 
Rebecca, b. July 12, 1762; m. Auios Stickney ofTewksbury. 
\Samuel, b. Oct. 3, 1704; m. Aug. 27, 1788, Mary Stimpson. 
\lsaac, b. Aug. 11, 1766; m. Polly Farrer of Lin. 
Sarah, b. May 16, 1709; d. unm. 

Folly, b. Aug. 10, 1771 ; m. John Dunkley of Charlestown. 
Euth, b. Aug. 30. 1773 ; m. Nov. 20, 1793, Robert MuUett of W. 
Camb. 



Jehkmiaii Harrington ni. Dec. 21, 1769, Sarah Locke, dau. of 
Joseph and Sarah Locke, b. Aug. 23, 1746. She d. Jan. 12, 1813; 
He d. Dec. 11, 1818. He served in the French war in 1762. Tra- 
dition says he had three dau., but there is no record of their birth. 
Sally Harrington, one of them, ni. Dec. 30, 1793, Edward Blacking- 
ton of Camb. 

\Joseph. b. Feb. 16, 1770 ; m. Lucy Russell. 

Benjamin, b. May 4, 1772; m. Oct. 1, 1792, Elizabeth Frost of W. 

Camb. and moved to Bedford, where he d. 
Jonathan, b. Oct. 27, 1777 ; m. Nov. 10, 1799, Ruth Britton of 

Shrewsbui'y. He d. June 9, 1721. They resided in Medford. 



John Harrington m. Dee. 3, 1703, Mary Wootten, dau. of John 
Wootten, an Englishman. Capt. Wootten was a shipmaster, and 
made twenty-two voyages to Surinam. He was of Capt. Parker's 
company, and met the British on the 19th of April. He was subse- 
quently a lieutenant in the militia. He moved with his family to 
Deering, N. H., about 1783. His children, being young, left town 

with him. 

« 

Abigail, b. March 3, 1763; m. 1781, Wm. Munroe, Jr. 
Sarah, b. Feb. 17, 1760. 91 John, b. Feb. 1, 1770. 

Stephen, b. Nov. 22, 1774. 93 William, b. Nov. 21, 1779. 

Rebecca, b. May 3, 1781. 

Jonathan Harrington m. Feb. 13, 1706, RuthFiske, dau. of Dr. 
Robert Fiske by wid. Grover. After the death of her husband she 
m. Feb. 18, 1777, John Smith of Boston. He was one of the gallant 
band who stood forth in defence of freedom on the 19th of April, 
1775, and was one who fell that morning, a victim to British oppres- 
sion. See History, p. 181. He was about thirty-two years ol age 
at the time of his death. 

Jonathan, b. Oct. 25, 1766 ; d. Oct. 14, 1776. 



Thomas Harrington m. Lucy Perry of Bed. July 4, 1771. We 
find no record of his family except the birth of one child. He is said 
to have " moved into the country." What time he left Lexington 
we cannot say ; his name is upon the tax bill in 1776, but is omitted 
in 1778. 

Elizabeth, b. Dec 19, 1773. 



IMosES Harrington m. April 28, 1774, Mary Reed, dau. of 
William and Susanna Reed. They wei-e ad. to the ch. June 15, 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



93 



60- 97 
98 
99 
100 
101 
102 
103 
104 



28-62- 



62-105 
106 
107 

108 
109 



37-63- 



63-110 
111 
112 
113 
lU 
115 
116 
117 



118 



37-64- 



64-119 
120 
121 
122 

123 
124 

125 
126 
127 

128 
129 



1776. She (1. Oct 22 1822, aged 71. He was one of the minute 
men who served with the gallant Parker at the first dawn of Inde- 
pendenoe. 

Sarah, bap. Aug. 25, 1776; m. Thaddeus Hall of riiolmsford 

Mart/, bap. June 21, 1778; ni. Nov. .'W, 1792, Joseph White. 

Caleb, h. July 6, 1779 ; went to Charlestown, m. Dorcas Frost. 

Betsey, b. April 26, 1782; d. unm. 

Moses, b. ]\Iay 2, 1785; d. unm. May 11, 1821. 

William, b. Sept. 7, 1789. 

Oliver, b. April 26, 1791 ; d. in the poor house, unm., Oct. 25, 1834. 

Edmund, b. Feb. 21, 1794; left town and never returned. 



EiJENEZER Harkington m. Sept. 4, 1788, Mrs. Sarah Johnson 
She d. Nov. 29, 1819, aged 65. He d. May 7, 1846, aged 86. 

Ebenezer, b. June 22, 1789; d. unm. 

Hannah, b. Feb. 24, 1791 ; m. Pierce of Acton. 

Simeon, b. Feb. 27, 1793; d. unm. at tiie South. 
Kezia, h. Aug. 30, 1795; m, April 8, 1815, Otis Locke. 
Susanna, b. July 24, 1798; m. Jan. 1, 1823, John Hadley. 



Thaddeus IIarringtox m. Sept. 20, 1764, Lydia Porter of Wo. 
They were ad. to the ch. April 22, 1771. lie was one of the brave 
men who was an actor in the battle of Lexington. She d. Jan. 1821. 

Thaddeus, b. Jan. 3, 1765 ; d. young. 

Fanny, b. June 20, 1769 ; d. young. 

Arethusa, bap. Oct. 20, 1771 ; m. Feb. 25, 1792, George Whitehead. 

Fanny, bap. April 23, 1772; m. June 26, 1796, Seth Reed.- 

Robert, bap. May 28, 1775 ; moved to Boston, d. in Cambridgeport. 

Asa, bap. May 4, 1777 ; went to New York. 

\Lewis, bap. May 30, 1779; m. Sarah Dudley of Con. 

Lydia, bap. March 11, 1781; m. Seth Reed, husband of her sister 

Fanny, deceased. 
Andrew, b. ; lived in Boston, and d. there, aged 44. 



Daniel Harrixgtox m. May 8, 1760, Anna Munroe, dau. of 
Robert and Ann (Stone) Munroe, who was b. Aug. 30, 1740. She 
d. Oct. 19, 1811, aged 71; he d. Sept. 27, 1818, aged 79. Daniel 
Harrington was clerk of Capt. Parker's company, and participated 
with them in the dangers and glories of the memorable 19th of April, 
1775. He was a prominent man in the place, and filled various posts 
of honor and trust. He was selectman 1779, '85, '86. 

\Levi, b. Nov. 9, 1760; m. July 27, 1784. Rebecca Mulliken. 
\Nadan, b. April 29, 1762; m. Elizabeth Phelps ; d. June 28, 1837. 
Daniel, b. Oct. 17, 1764; d. young. 
Anna, b. Feb. 3, 1766 ; m. Thomas Winship, and d. July 13, 1821, 

David, h. June 10, 1768 ; d. July 26, 1795, aged 27. 

Grace, b. March 17, 1770; m. Abner Pierce, July 22, 1792, d. Aug. 

1842. 
Betty, b. Feb. 1, 1772; m. Jan. 25, 1799, James Bruce of Woburn. 
Eusebia, b. Jan. 20, 1774; d. Oct. 5, 1775. 
Eusebia, b. Feb. 13, 1776 ; m. March 7, 1800, Joseph Underwood, 

and d! Dec. 22, 1859, aged 82. 
Isanna, bap. Jan. 31, 1779 ; m. Jan. 11, 1801, Timothy Page of Bed. 
Lydia, bap. Dec. 10, 1780; d. unm. Sept. 26, 1803, aged 23. 
70 



94 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



37-70- 



3&-74- 



Abijah Harrington m. April 21, 1784, Polly Raymond. She 
d. Feb. 27, 1822, and he m. Dec. 14, 1823, IMary Locke, wid. of 
Asa B. Locke. He d. without issue, Dec. 81, liSo2, aged 91. 
Though Abijah Harrington was too young (being but 13 years of 
age) to take part in the events of the memorable 19th of April, 
177.5, he was attracted by the march of the king's troops, and came 
to the Common immediately after their departure for Concord, and 
saw in the road where the British troops stood at the time of the 
firing, a quantity of blood upon the ground, and so is a good witness 
that the lire of the British was returned, and with eifect, by the 
Americans. See Deposition appended to Phinney's History. 



Jonathan Harrington m. Nov. 14, 1782, Sally Banks. She d. 
July 28, 1847, aged 85. Though a lad of only 16 years of age, he 
was a, Jjfer in that phalanx of freemen which appeared on Lexington 
Common on the 19th of April, 1775. He lived to a great age, and 
related almost to the time of his death, the leading events of that day. 
He said he was aroused early that morning by a cry from his mother — 
" Jonathan, get up, the regulars are coming, and something must be 
done." He arose and repaired to the place of parade, and was with 
the company on the approach of the British. " Something must 
BE DONE," exclaimed the patriotic mother. And something was done 
on that memorable day. The shrill notes of that stripling's fife, not 
only warmed the bosoms of the gallant band on Lexington Common, 
but enkindled a fire extinguished only by the acknowledgment of our 
Independence. Something was done. The firm resistance to the 
British on that occasion inspired every patriotic bosom, and called 
the people to arms. Something was done which taught the haughty 
oppressors that freemen in defence of their homes and firesides, their 
wives and little ones, were not to be intimidated by veteran troops, 
though led on by rash and daring commanders. Something was 
done which has given to Lexington a name which will be remembered 
as long as the spirit of liberty finds a resting place in the human 
breast. 

Jonathan Harrington was one of the youngest defenders of his 
country's rights on the opening of the Revolutionary drama, and one 
of the last, if not the very last of the survivors of that opening 
scene, who lived to partake of the blessings of freedom and to wit- 
ness the growing greatness ol' his country. Mr. Plarrington lived 
to a great age, and was treated with much respect and attention by 
the whole community. At the age of ninety-one he attended the 
75th anniversary of the 19th of April, celebrated at Concord. The 
writer of this waited upon him to give him an invitation to attend 
the celebration, and give a sentiment. At first he thought he should 
not be able ; but a recurrence to the events of the day to be com- 
memorated, soon roused the energy of the venerable patriarch, and 
with a countenance lighted up with patriotism, he consented to 
attend. And when he was asked to give a sentiment, he gave from 
the fullness of his heart a sentiment, which he was requested to com- 
mit to paper, that it might be presented at Concord in his own hand- 
writing. The next day he forwarded the following : 

"The 19th of April, 1775. — All loho remember that day will 
sup2)ort the Constitution of the United States.''"' 

After living to the advanced age of 95 years, 8 months, and 18 
days, the venerable patriot died, March 27, 1854. The death of 
the last survivor of the battle of Lexington, produced a marked sen- 
sation in the whole community. The Governor ordered out two 
companies, the Davis Guards of Acton, and the Concord Artillery, 
fo do escort duty at his interment. And such was the public 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



95 



foehnj^, that General Jones invited his brigade to be present 
on tlie occasion, wliii-h invitation was promptly responded to by the 
corps. Several other companies not beloniiini,' to the bri<rade voluii- 
teered — all anxious to show their rejijard to the memory of one who 
had come down (roni a generation of pati-iots, and iiad stood the sole 
representative of the first battle of freedom in America. The 
Governor, the Lieut, (iovernor and the Honorable Council, and 
a great part of the Legislature, which was then in session, honored the 
event by their presence. The Masonic fraternity, of which he was 
a member, attended with their regalia; and a large concourse of 
people from the neighl)oring towns tilled Lexington to overllowiu"'. 
The spectacle was truly imposing. 

The procession was formed by Gen. Samuel Chandler of Lexing- 
ington, who acted as chief marslial on the occasion. The military 
moved in the following order: 

First Regiment of Artillery, Lieut. Col. Gibbs, consisting of three 
com{)anies. 

Fourth Regiment of Light InHmtry, Col. J. D. Green, consisting 
of four companies. 

Fifth Regiment of Light Lifantry, Col. B. F. Butler, consisting of 
four companies. 

And three volunteer companies. 

From the Common they moved down Main street to the Town 
Hall, where they received the body guard, the Concord Artillery, 
Captain Culbertson, and the Davis Guards, Captain Holden; Hiram 
Lodge of West Cambridge, and the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, 
with the body of the deceased, attended by the pall-bearers and rela- 
tives, and followed by the chief marshal, chaplain, and the committee 
of arrangements, consisting of some of the principal citizens of the 
town. These were followed by Governor Washburn and suit, Lieut. 
Governor Plunkett, and the Council, members of the Senate and the 
House of Representatives, oflicers of the militia, citizens of Concord 
and citizens generally. 

From this point, it being almost the identical spot at which Lord 
Percy received the British fugitives in their flight from Concord on 
the 19th of April, 1775, the procession moved up Main street by the 
Common to the church, where solemn religious services were per- 
formed, and an appropriate address was delivered by Rev. Dr. Ran- 
dall, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. After 
the services at the church were concluded, the remains were removed 
to the old burying-ground in the rear of the church, and deposited in 
the fiimily tomb. The Masonic burial service was read at the tomb 
by Grand Master Randall of the Grand Lodge, and a volley was fired 
over the grave by the Concord Artillery and the Davis Guards. This 
closed the funeral solemnities of the day. 

The history of the world furnishes no case more striking or sub- 
lime than this ! Thousands of persons of all ages and conditions in 
life, flock together from one common impulse, and with one general 
feeling I What motive actuated the vast concourse and brought them 
to Lexington at that time ? The season of the year was uninviting, 
the traveling bad, and the day inclement; and everything external 
would seem to forbid any gathering of the people in large numbers 
in the open air, — but still they came. And for what purpose? Not 
to obtain any direct advantage personal to themselves — not to wit- 
ness any feat of art, listen to any distinguished orator, or partake of 
a sumptuous feast — not to behold any distinguished lord or prince 
from a foreign country, or any celebrated statesman from our own — 
not to greet a living friend surrounded with wealtii and splendor, or 
to follow in the funeral train of a deceased President or high officer 



96 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



74-130 

131 
13^ 
133 
134 
. 135 
136 



38-76- 



76-137 
138 
139 

140 
141 
142 



38-77- 



77-143 
144 
145 
146 
147 
148 



38-78- 



78-149 
150 
151 
152 
153 
154 
155 



156 



53-79- 



53-81- 



of state. No — tbey came to worship at the shrine of Liberty — 
to show their respect to the memory of a humble and unpretending 
indivichial, who had stood for years the sole representative of that 
body of freemen who rallied for their country on the 19th of April, 
1775. 

Harry, b. IMarch 10, 1783. He was a sea captain, and sailed out of 

Providence. 
Polly, b. May 23, 178G ; m. June 22, 1811, Payson Perrin, of Boston. 
Abigail, b. Nov. 13, 1787 ; d. MaFch 23, 1858, unm. 
Pitt, b. July 6, 1790. He entered the army 1812, and never returned. 
Jonathan, b. June 4, 1793; d. March, 1856, unm. 
William, b. March 12, 1797 ; d. unm. 
More, b. June 23, 1801 ; d. Sept. 16, 1802. 



Charles Harrington m. Dec. 18, 1786, Mary Brown, dau. of 
Francis Brown. He d. Jan. 28, 1856, aged 93 ; she d. Jan. 9, 1843, 
aged 77. 

Mary, b. Jan. 9, 1787 ; m. June 5, 1811, Stephen Robbins, Jr. 

Susanna, b. Sept. 4, 1789 ; d. , 1857, unm. 

Betsey, b. Jan. 10, 1796; m. Walter R. Mason; lived at Camb., 

then moved to N. H. 
\Charles, b. April 10, 1798; m. Sarah H. Wade, Sept. 6, 1840. 
Elmira, h. Sept. 6, 1801 ; m. Nov. 28, 1824, Hazen Elliott. 
Clarissa, b. ; m. Dec. 3, 1835, S. H. Elliott, brother of her 

sister's husband. 



Solomon Harrington m. Polly Bent, dau. of David Bent, 
d. May 19, 1809, aged 40. He d. May 9, 1845, aged 79. 



She 



Charles, h. Dec. 25, 1787. He followed the sea, where he prob. d. 
\ David, b. Jan. 2, 1790; m. Dec. 6, 1810, Elizabeth Francis. 
James, b. Aug. 4, 1792 ; d. unm. 

^Solomon, b. Feb. 13, 1795 ; m. Feb. 6, 1820, Betsey Dudley. 
Abigail More, b. Feb. 12, 1801 ; m. David Constantine and r. at Bed. 
Ii'eiie, b. Dec. 1, 1803 ; m. James Haywood and r. at Billerica. 



Peter Harrington m. Lydia Loring. He d. Jan. 23, 1816, 
aged 43. He lived in Lex. till about 1811, when he moved to Salem, 
where he d. He was captain of the Lex. artillery, and was promoted 
to the lieut. -colonelcy. 

Matilda, h. April 5, 1799 ; m. Hastings, and d. at Springfield. 

Isaac B. Clarke, b. Sept. 2, 1800. He left town and d. unm. 
Adeline, b. Sept. 24, 1802. She r. at East Cambridge. 
Lorenzo, b. Aug. 10, 1804. He r. at East Cambridge. 
Peter, b. Sept. 21, 1807 ; he d. at East Cambridge. 
Emetine, b. Dec. 21, 1809; m. Benj. Reed, and r. in Chelsea. 

Julian, b. March 29, 1812 ; ra. Bowsway, was killed by falling 

down stairs at East Cambridge. 
Elizabeth, b. ; m. George Dale, and r. at East Cambridge. 



Henry Harrington, 3d, m. March 13, 1783, Amity Pierce. 
They had several children. They resided first at Boston, and after- 
wards moved to New Orleans. 

Samuel Harrington m. Aug. 29, 1788, Mary Stimpson. He 
probably left town at the time of his marriage, as his name, which 



J^0f^ 







y(r>i - i^A^/7-*''^^*" 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



97 



53-82- 



82-157 



158 



159 
ICO 
101 



162 
163 
164 
165 
166 



54-86- 



86-167 
168 

169 
170 
171 
172 
173 
174 

175 
176 



63-116- 



116-177 



178 
179 



180 
181 
182 
183 



64-119- 



was on the tax bill in 1788, disappears the followinp; year. Ncitlicr 
the tOAvn or church records make any mention of hiiu or his faiiiily 
after his marriaee. 



Isaac IIauuington m. Oct. 21, 1798, Polly Farrer of Lincoln. 
He d. April 2, 1863, aged 97 years 8 months. The record of the 
family is very imperfect. 

Isaac, b. March 7, 1799. He enlisted in the United States service 

in the war of 1812, went to Louisiana and never returned. 
Betsey, b. Nov. 22, 1800; m Emory Garfield. He d. and she m. 

second, Benjamin Gleason. 
Hiram, b. May 23, 1802; m. Sarah Fiske. 
Maria, b. Sept. 9, 1803 ; m. Isaiah Tay of Bur. 
Zadock, b. ; m. Almira Fiske. She d. and he m. second, 

Almira Morton ; she d. and he m. third, Hannah Russell. He r. 

in Billerica. 

Almira, b. ; m. William Alurt and moved to Vt. 

Daniel, b. ; m. in Billerica, where he resides. 

Abel, b. ; m. in Billerica, where he resides. 

Sally, b. ; ra. Richardson, moved to Andover and d. 

Priscilla, b. ; d. young. 



Joseph Haruington m. March 27, 1792, Lucy Russell, dau. of 
rhilip Russell. He d. Jan. 12, 1829. 

Susan, b. Nov. 23, 1792; d. Dec. 14, 1792. 

Joseph, b. May 1, 1794; he went to Con. when a lad, where he m. 

May 3, 1821, Mary Snow, and had issue. 
John, b. June 6, 1796 ; d. June 4, 1804. 
Lucy, b. Nov. 28, 1798 ; m. Oct. 20, 1829, William Grover. 
Jonas, b. Nov. 7, 1800; d. Sept. 16, 1802. 
Mary, b. Sept. 19, 1803; d. Aug. 4, 1828, unm. 
Lyd'ia, b. Feb. 10, 1806; m. Feb. 10, 1828, Daniel Kinneston. 
Nehemiah, b. March 14, 1808; m. Dec. 11, 1845, Soi)hia Woodbury 

of N. H. He r. in Lex. 
Emily, b. Aug. 13, 1810; d. March 22, 1828. 
Stephen, b. May 9, 1812; m. March, 1832, Maria E. Hall, and r. in 

Somerville, and d. Jan. 21, 1868. 



Lewis Harrington m. Aug. 31, 1806, Sarah Dudley of Con. 
He d. Sept. 1829, aged 50; she d. Nov. 10, 1«58, aged 71. 



Lucy Ann, b. 



Seth S. Bennett, March 19, 1826. They 



moved to Providence, where she d. 

Mary R., b. ; m. William Wyman of Wo., r. in Medford. 

Jonas, h. 1810; m. Susan Pierce, 'dau. of Ebenezer and Nabby 

(Brown) Pierce. He d. July 5, 1857 ; she d. April 16, 1856. 

They lelt two children, first, Emma I., b. 1845, second, Oren C, 

b. May 31, 1851. o .o-o 

Sarah E,, b. ; m. Elijah Gossom, and d. Sept. 3, 18o8. 

Hannah M., b. ; m. George Todd of Charlestown. 

O/rus D., b. 1820; m. Rebecca Frost of \V. Camb., where he d. 
Frances A., b. ; m. April 23, 1846, Loring S. Pierce. 



Levi Harrington m. July 27, 1784, Rebecca Mulliken, dau. of 
Nathaniel and Lydia. She d. Sept. 5, 1820; he d. July 26, 184b, 
a"-cd 86. They were ad. the ch. April 22, 1/87. 



98 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



119-184 

185 
18G 
187 
188 
189 
190 

191 
64-120- 

120-192 
193 
194 
195 
196 
197 

198 



199 
76-140- 

77-144- 
144-200 

201 

202 
77-146- 



119-184- 

184-203 
204 
205 

206 

207 
208 

209 

210 
211 

119-189- 



\Nathaniel, b. Jan, 3, 1786; m. Nov. 30, 1815, Clarissa Mead. 

Nancy, b. Jan. 3, 1788; now, 1867, living unm. 

Fanny, b. April 1, 1792; m. Horace Skilton of Bed., Oct. 29, 1820. 

Rebecca, b. Oct. 28, 1794 ; m. Dan'l Hastings of Boston, Nov. 4, 1823. 

Dennis, b, Oct. 7, 1796; d. Aug. 11, 1840, unm. 

\Hiram, b. May 15, 1799; m. Jan. 22, 1825, Julia A. Lane. 

Sophia, b. Aug. 25, 1801 ; m. Dec. 12, 1822, Harrison G. O. Mun- 

roe of Boston. 
\Bowen, b. Aug. 6, 1803; m. Dec. 20, 1832, Elizabeth P. Ward. 



Nathan Harrington m. Elizabeth Phelps of Andover. He lived 
many years in Wo., then returned to Lex., where he d. Sept. 27, 1818. 

Beti^cy, b. April 27, 1788; m. Oct. 17, 1813, William Chandler. 

Dorcas, b. June 25, 1790 ; m. Joshua P. Frothinghara, Charlestown. 

\Nathan, b. Feb. 29, 1792; m. Martha I. Mead. 

Tryphena, b Aug. 26, 1794; d. Nov. 12, 1853, unm. 

\Daniel, b. Aug. 26, 1796; m. Hannah Jacobs. 

Anna, b. Nov. 24, 1799; m. Addison Gage, Dec. 27, 1832. He r. 

in West Camb., and is extensively engaged in the ice trade. 
Increase S., b. Sept. 6, 1802; m. Dec. 12, 1826, Eliza Maynard. 

He d. Feb. 18, 1848. 
Ahijah, b. Sept. 3, 1804 ; he lives in Lex., unm. 



Charles Harrington m. Sept. 6, 1840, Sarah H. Wade of 
Lowell, b. Sept, 6, 1810. He has no children. 



David Harrington m. Dec. 6, 1810, Elizabeth Francis. 

Sylvester, b. May 1, 1811 ; m. May, 1841, Mary Ann Robinson, 

dau. of Jacob and Hannah (Simonds) Robinson. 
Mary B., b. Jan. 18, 1816; m. May 14, 1835, Charles J. Adams. 

They reside at East Cambridge, where he is the keeper of the 

house of correction. 
Charles S., b. Nov. 10, 1831 ; d. Jan. 4, 1838. 



Solomon Harrington m. Feb. 6, 1820, Betsey Dudley, dau. of 
Nathan and Sarah Dudley, b. June 1, 1798. He resided in Lex., 
then moved to Boston, and subsequently to Brookline, where he d. 
June 5, 1868. 



Nathaniel Harrington m. Nov. 30, 1815, Clarissa Mead, dau. 
of Josiah. He d. Jan. 8, 1839, and she d, Feb. 16, 1866, aged 76. 

\ Franklin M., b. June 6, 1817 ; has been twice married. 

Ellen M., b. July 1, 1819. 

Edwin, b, Feb. 21, 1821; m. Nov. 27, 1845, Eunice E. More of 

Sudbury, b. April 29, 1824. They reside in Sudburv. 
Clarissa, b. Dec. 8, 1822 ; m. April 29, 1845, Samuel B. Rindge of 

East Cambridge, where they reside. 
Nathaniel, b. Sept. 23, 1824. 
LarJcin, b. April 17, 1826 ; m. Nov. 23, 1851, Mary W. Langley. 

He r. in Medford, now r. in N. H. 
Andrew, h. April 12, 1828 ; m. Dec. 29, 1853, Mary J. Rainey, r. at 

Galesburg, 111. 
Rebecca, b. June 12, 1830; d. May 7, 1832. 
Elizabeth W., b. Oct. 14, 1833. 



Hiram Harrington m. Jan. 22, 1825, Julia A. C. Lane. They 
had three children, first and second d. young, third, Hiram Augustm. 
He moved to Illinois, where he d. March 16, 1859. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



99 



119-191- 



191-212 
213 



214 
215 



120-191- 

194-21G 
217 

120-196- 
18i-203- 



203-218 
220 



BoWEN Hauringtox m. Dec. 20, 1832, Elizabeth P. Ward of 
Boston, dau. of William and Mary Ward, b. Dec. 20, 1811. She 
d. May 9, 18G3, aged 51. lie is a justice of the peace. 

Manj W., b. Nov. 24, 1834; m. June 9, 18G4, Gershoin Swan, and 
has Charles Ward, b. July 26, 1866. 

Charles B., b. Jan. 23, 1837. lie enlisted in 1861 in the Mass. vol- 
unteers for three years, came home on a furlough, being in ill 
health, and d. of disease contracted in the service, Sept. 5, 18G2. 

William H., b. May 30, 1840. lie resides in Illinois. 

George D , b. July 17, 1843. He served three years in the army of 
the Potomac, in the late rebellion. 



Nathan Harrington m. Feb. 1, 1824, Martha I. Mead, dau. of 
Josiah Mead. She d. June 26, 1S35. He d. Nov. 14, 1843. He 
was a captain in the Lexington artillery. 

Caroline M., b. Oct. 1, 1829. 
Elvira M., b. Feb. 18, 1832. 



Daniel Harrington m. Dec. 15, 1824, Hannah Jacobs. 
Oct. 5, 1826, aged 30. She ra. Brooks. 



He d. 



Franklin j\[. Harrington m. June 2, 1847, Susan Wiley of 
Ashby. She d. Feb. 20, 1858, and he m. April 16, 1859, Mrs. Susan 
Turner. 



Fannie IF, b. Dec. 29, 1851. 
Ellen E., b. Feb. 15, 1856. 



219 Martha M., b. l)ec. 8, 1853. 



1- 2 

4 
5 
7 
8 
10 



THE HAIlllIS FAMILY. 

Hexry Harris, of Lexington, is a lineal descendant of Thomas 
Harris, who was born in Shrevvsliury, England, came to ^VLissachu- 
sctts in 1631, went with Roger Williams to Rhode Island, and settled 
at Providence. His descendants settled in Smitlifujld in that State, 
where they lived several generations. Henri/ was the son of Abner, 
b. 1779, and iMartha (Farmer) ; he was the grandson of Abner, and 
the great-<^randson of Jonathan ; he was born in Providence, 1809, 
and married in Boston, Feb. 6, 1832. Emeline Bryant. Tliey resided 
in Boston, where most of their children were born. They came to 
Lexington in 1853. He is engaged in the clothing business in Boston. 

Henry F., b. 1835. S Frederick B b 1837. 

Emeline F., b. 1839 ; m. Nov. 1, 1863, George M Wethern. 
William A., h.lSn. r. ,r....,,.. j ^.^^x^ 

George A., h. 1845; d. 1848. 
Charles B., b. 1847. 
Georgiana W., b. 1855. 



6 Martha A.,h. 1843. 

9 Ellen M.,h. 1819. 
11 AddieL., b. 1857, d. 1857. 



THE HARTWELL FAMILY. 

The Hartwells came to Lexington from Bedford. 

William Hartwkll, b. June 25 1770; d. May 8 
49 He m. Oct. 13, 1796, Johanna Davis of Bedford, 
hem. 1809, Mary Lake. He had several children. 



1819, aged 
SLe d. and 



100 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1-2- 



2- 3 
5 



1- 2 

3 

4 
f) 
6 

7 



1-3- 



WiLLiAM IIartwell, the oldest son of the foregoing, b. Jan. 12, 
1797; m. Nov. 30, 1826, Ruhamah Webber, dau. of Asa and Eliot 
(Lane) Webber, b. April 1-i, 1802. They resided first at Concord, 
and came to Lexington about 1839. 

William W., b. Oct. 2, 1827. i Johanna, b. Nov. 1, 1829. 

Lydia E., born March 15, 1835. 



THE HASTINGS FAMILY. 

The name TIastings is of Danish origin. In the early days of the 
British kingdom, the Danes made frequent incursions into that part 
of Britain bordering on tiie North Sea. In one of these incursions 
Hastings, a Danish chief, made himself formidable to Alfred the 
Great, by landing a large body of men upon the coast. He took 
possession of a portion of Sussex ; and the castle and seaport veere 
held by his fiimily, when William the Conqueror landed in England ; 
and they held it from the crown for many generations. 

Several of the name of Hastings were raised to a peerage. Sir 
Henry and George Hastings, grandsons of the P^arl of Huntingdon, 
had sons who became Puritans, and were obliged by persecution to 
leave their native land, and rind homes in the new world. As early 
as 1631r, Thomas Hastings and wife, and soon after, John and his 
family, came to New England, but no one of the family came to Lex- 
ington till about 1720. 

Thomas Hastings, aged 29, and his wife Susanna aged 2-1, em- 
barked at Ipswich, England, April 10, 1631, in the Elizabeth, Wil- 
liam Andrews, master, for New England, and settled in Watertown, 
where he was admitted freeman. May 6, 1635. He was selectman 
from 1638 to 1613, and from 1650 to 1671 ; clerk three years, and 
representative in 167 L He also held the office of deacon. His wife 
Susanna died Fel). 2, 1650, and he married April, 1651, Margaret 
Cheney, dau. of William and Martha Cheney of Roxbury. She was 
the mother of all his children. He died 1685, aged 80. In his will, 
dated March 12, 1685, and proved Sept. 7, 1685, he gave his son 
Thomas only £5, saying, "I have been at great expense to bring 
him up a scholar, and I have given him above threescore pounds to 
begin the world with." To his sons John, Joseph, Benjamin, Na- 
thaniel, and Samucd, and to his daughter Hepzibah Bond, he gave 
£40 each, and to Hannah £3. Between 1652 and 1666, he had eight 
children. 

Thomas, b. July 1, 1652; d. July 23, 1712. He was a physician at 
Hatfield. 

\John, b. March 4, 1654 ; m. June 18, 1679, Abigail Hammond. 

William, b. Aug. 8, 1655; drowned, Aug. 1669, aged 14 years. 

Joseph, b. Sept. 11, 1657 ; m. 1682, Ruth Rice of Sudbury. 

Benjamin, b. Aug. 9, 1659; m. 1683, Elizabeth Graves. 

Nathaniel, b. Sept. 25, 1661 ; m. Mary Nevinson of Watertown. 

Hepzibah, b. Jan. 31, 1663; m. 1680, Dea. William Bond of Wat. 

Samuel, b. March 12, 161)5; m. first, 1687, Lydia Church; and sec- 
ond, 1694, Elizabeth Nevinson ; third, 1701, Sarah Cooledge of 
Watertown. 



John Hastings m. June 18, 1679, Abigail Hammond of Water- 
town, dau. of John and Abigail, b. June 21, 1656. She d. Sept. 7, 
1718, and he d. March 28, 1718. He lived in that part of Water- 
town which was afterwards Waltham. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



lUl 



3-10 
11 

12 
13 

14 
15 
IG 

17 



3-15- 

15-18 
19 



20 
21 
22 
23 

24: 



15-18- 



18-26 

27 
28 
29 
30 

31 
32 
33 
34 

18-26- 



Ahigail, b. Dec. 8, 1679; m. 1699, John Warren of Weston 
John, hap. Dec. 4, 1687; m. first, 1702, Su.sanna, dan. of ,l.,l.ii 

MaryBeniis; second, 1706, Sarah Fiske ; moved to Lnncnlnir 
EUzubcth, bap. Dec. 4, 1687; m. April 14, 1714, Ilopestill M.m. 
BepzibaJi, bap. Dec. 4, 1687 ; ni. April 14, 1714, Nathaniel Simtt 

He d. 1718, and she ni. 1721, Benj. Stearns of ]>exin<:rt(»ii. 

William, bap. Jnly 13, 1690; ni. Ahi(i;ail , d. before 1723 

iSamuel, b. 1695;" ni. Bethia IloUoway of Maiden. 

Thomas, b. Sept. 26, 1697; m. Sarah White, and settled in L 

where six of his children were born, when he removed to Little 
t7ose;;/t, bap. 1698; m, lirst, 1716, Lydia Brown ; second, 1 

Elizabeth Stearns. 



and 

]. 
uck. 



e.x., 

ton. 
r69. 



Samuel PLiSxiNGs ni. in Medford, May 29, 1719, Bethia Hollo- 
way of Maiden. He was a tailor, and resided in that part of Water- 
town now Waltham. lie was selectman several years. She died in 
Lexington, June 1, 1774, aged 80. 

\Samnd, b. March 30, 1721 ; m. Jan. 16, 1755, Lydia Tidd. b. July 
6, 1732, dan. of Daniel and llep/,il)ah (Reed) Tidd of Lexinj^ton'. 

Thaddeus, h. Oct. 15, 1723; m. IMarch 29, 1763, Mary Stration. 
He settled in Lexington, where he and his wife died, leaving two 
young sons, who left town. 

Mary, b. Dec. 15, 1725. 

Abigail, b. March 8, 1728; ni. April 2, 1747, Sam'l Brooks of Med. 

Ahijah, b. May 9, 1730; m. Jan. 2, 1759, Martha Ingraham. 

Philemon, b. April 2, 1732; settled in Vermont. 

Anna, b. March 8, 1734. 25 Martha, b. March 23, 1736. 



Samuel Hastings m. Jan. 16, 1755, Lydia Tidd, daughter of 
Daniel and Hepzibah (Reed) Tidd. He settled in the southwest 
part of Lexington. He was one of the men who, on the 19th of 
April, 1775, stood firm in the cause of freedom on Lexington Green, 
and was also with the army at Cambridge, when Gen. Washington 
took command. He d. Feb. 8, 1820, aged 99 ; his wife d. Nov. 10, 
1802, aged 71. He was often elected to places of honor and trust in 
the town. 

\Isaac, b. in Lex. Dec. 26, 1755; ni. INLiry Stearns. 

\Samuel, b. July 11, 1757 ; m. Lydia Nelson of Lincoln. 

Lydia, b. Nov. 29, 1759 ; d. July 22. 1788, unm. 

Bethia, b. March 23, 1761 ; d. Aug. 3, 1765. 

Hepzibah, b. July 3, 1762; m. 1781, John Swan of Waltham. He 

d. and she m. Jonas Wyelh of Cambridge, and d. 1789, aged 27. 
]John, b. July 13, 1764; d. June 5, 1789, aged 25. 
Bethia. b. June 25, 1766 ; d. July 26, 1786. 
Abigail, b. April 20, 1768 ; d. May 10, 1788. 
Thomas, b. April 25, 1772 ; d. Sept. 8, 1775, 



Isaac Hastings m. 1781, Sarah Stearns, b. Dec. 29, 1761, dan. 
of Phinehas and Mary (Wellington) Stearns. He and his wife were 
ad. to the ch. Feb. 10, 1782. In 1808, he was chosen deacon and 
became a leading member of the ch. He was on the Common with 
Capt. Parker on'^the 19th of April, 1775, was at the capture of Biir- 
o-oyne, and was also detailed to guard the prisoners at Prospect Hill, 
Cliarlestown, now Somerville. He lived upon his father s homestea<I, 
the site on the hill now owned by Mrs. Cary, his youngest dau^ He 
d. July 2, 1831, aged 76, and his widow d. March, 1834, aged 73. 
71 



102 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



26-35 



38 



39 
40 

41 

42 

43 



18-27- 



Sophia, b. Oft. 17, 1781 ; m. June 18, 1809, Isaac S. Spring of 
Standish, Mc. They removed to Somerville, where she d. Nov. 
18il. 

Isaac, h. Nov. 3, 1783 ; lost at sea. 

JPfiomas, b. Feb. 12, 1786; m. Mary Baker, in Vt., moved to Mont- 
real, where he d. Julv, 1835, leaving a family. 

Abigail, b. May 20, 1788; m. Dec. 9, 1821, Jonathan Cary of Bos- 
ton. They moved to Lex. 1827, and took up their abode on Lin- 
coln street, on a place known as the " Peak Place." He d. April 
17, 1855, aged 86. He had no children by his last wife. 

\Jolin, b. July 21, 1790; has been twice married. 

Phinehas S., b. Oct. 13, 1792; m. Elizabeth Bowles of Portsmouth, 
N. H. 

Leonard, b. Sept. 6, 1794 ; d. Nov. 10, 1802. 

Samuel, b. Sept. 21, 1798; m. 1827, Lucy R., dau. of Sweethern 
Reed. 

Maria, b. March 1, 1801 ; m. May 4, 1828, William JLCary, a dis- 
tinguished merchant in Brooklyn, N. Y. The old homestead of 
the Hastings,, having passed out of the family, Mr. Cary pur- 
chased it, and fitted it up for a summer residence, where he and 
his wife passed the warm season of the year. The site is truly 
rural, as will be seen by the engraving. During his life he had 
caused the farm to be greatly improved, and had expressed an in- 
tention of making a tender of this place to the State, if they would 
establish an Agricultural school upon the premises ; but dying sud- 
denly he had made no will. Ilis widow and his heirs however, 
knowing his wishes, have generously made the tender, and have 
also with great liberality made several other liberal grants in con- 
formity with the intentions of Mr. Gary, as expressed in his life- 
time. 



The immediate and multiplied connections of the Hastings family 
with the Carys, will justify a brief notice of the latter. Jonathan 
Gary of Boston, b. 17G8, m. first, Jemima Green of Grotoft. She 
d. and he m. second, Polly Harris of Boston ; shed, and he m. third, 
Abigail Hastings, as stated above. In 1827, Mr. Cary retired from 
business, and located himself in Lexington, where he d. 1855, at the 
advanced age of 87. His children who are living, are by his second 
wife. He had seven children; Samuel, William H., mentioned 
above, who m. Maria Hastings, Nathaniel, who resided for a time in 
Lex., Isaac, George, and Maria M., b. March 4, 1810, who m. John 
Hastings as his second wife. 



Samuel Hastings m. Oct. 1, 1778, Lydia Nelson of Lincoln, dau. 
of Thomas and Lydia (Scott) Nelson. He was on the Common with 
Gapt. Parker on the 19th of April, 1775 ; he soon after volunteered 
into the service, and was detailed one of Gen. Lee's life-guard, and 
was taken prisoner with him at Long Island. A British officer at the 
time of his capture, wounded him in the neck with a sword. " His 
queue," he used to say, " saved his life, as it broke the force of the 
blow, though he received a severe wound." He was paroled, but 
never exchanged. He was chosen Major of the Lexington Artillery. 
He resided in the borders of Lincoln, .but being near the line of Lex. 
he attended ch. here, and his remains and those of his wife rest in the 
Lex. graveyard, whei-e his children have erected a handsome marble 
monument to his memory. He d. Jan. 8, 1834, aged 76. She d. 
April 5, 1829, aged 71. 

27-44 Lijdia, b. Feb. 20, 1780; m. Nehemiah I. Ingraham, Boston. 
45 ' Samuel, b. Dec. 15, 1781 ; d. Sept. 1798. 



GENEALOGICAI, REGISTER. 



103 



46 

47 

48 



49 
50 

51 

52 
53 



18-31- 



31-54 



26-39- 



Jonnflian, b. Ann:. 17, 1783; m. Nancv Adams, settled In Bricrhton 

Dorcas,h.]m\ii-2.1, 1780; m. 1810, Rev. Daniel Marrett of Stan- 
dish, Me. 

Thomas, b._ ]\Iay 22, 1787 ; m. first, IMary llobbins and second, 
Martha Livcrmore. lie was a trader in East Canib., where he d. 
186.'), in his 79th year. 

Polh/, h. April 10, 1789 ; m. May 20, 1811, Benj. O. Wellington, Lex. 

Oliver, b. May 16, 1791; m. first, Eliza Beniis and second, Mrs. 
Hiildah Trabo. He is a dealer in lumber in East Camb. 

Hepzihah, b. May 24, 1793 ; m. May 24, 1813, Beter Wellington, 
brother of her sister Bolly's husbatid. 

Harriet, b. July 12, 1795; m. Aug. 8, 1819, Elias Smith. 

James, b. Oct. 5, 1797; m. Oct. U, 1821, Sally Mead, dau. of Jo- 
siah Mead of Lex. He settled on his father's homestead, where 
most of his children were born. After some years he moved to 
Brattleborough, Vt., but has returned to Lex., where he now 
resides. They have had nine children : CJiarles, h. July 7, 1822, 
m. Martha Tuttle ; Emily M., b. March 15, 1824, m. E'. F. Davis, 
lives in 111. ; James W., b. April 9, 1826, d. June 12, 1848 ; Maria 
C, b. April 16, 1828, m. L. C Bratt of Brattleborough, Vt. ; 
Sarah M., b. Oct. 15, 1829, d. .Tune 22, 1848; Oliver, b. Aug. 8, 
1831, went to Kansas; Alonzo, b. Aug. 25, 1833, m. Eliza G. 
Weed, lived in Kansas; Adelaide, b. Oct. 15, 1836, m. J. W. 
Wood, and resides in Galesburg, III. ; Ellen A., b. March 2, 1841, 
d. March 4, 1866. 



John Hastings m. Oct. 7, 1784, Esther Lawrence, dau. of Beza- 
leel and Sarah (Muzzy) Lawrence, b. June 30, 1765. He settled in 
Lex., where he d. June 25, 1789, aged 25. His widow d. Oct. 2i, 
1794, in her 30th year. 

Nancy, b. Jan. 28, 1785; m. June 13, 1812, Joseph Bailey of Stan- 
dish, Me. 
Bethia, b. March 15, 1787; d. unm. 1820, aged 33. 
Hepzibah, b. Jan. 23, 1789; d. April 28, 1789. 



John Hastings m. first, Dec. 9, 1834, Mrs. Sarah Riggs, dau. of 
Benjamin and Hannah West of Boston ; she d. Sept. 16, I860, aged 
72. He m. second, Aug. 28, 1862, Maria M. Gary, dau. of Jona- 
than Gary of Boston, who m. his sister Abigail. He settled first in 
Augusta, Me., then returned to Lexington, and improves his father's 
homestead. They have no children. 



THE HENDLEY FAMILY. 

Samuel W. Hendley, son of Samuel, of Garlisle, was b. Dec. 22, 
1823. His grandfather, Charles Hendley, was a deserter from the 
British army in the Revolution, who enlisted into the American ser- 
vice. Samuel W. Hendley m. Oct. 19, 1848, Emeline Skilton, dau. of 
David Skilton of Bur. They have three children, Wallace, b. Nov. 
27, 1850; David Eugene, b. Oct. 3, 1854; Howard R., b. Dec. 22, 
1866. 



THE HEWES FAMILY. 

John Hewes, or Hues, as the name is sometimes written in 
Lex. records, was at Gambridge Farms at the organization of the 
precinct in 1693, and was taxed as a resident. He was from Wat. ; 



104 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 



1-5- 



6- 6 



1- 2 
3 

4 



1-4- 



4- 5 

6 



4-7- 



he m. Marcli 9, 1677, Ruth, dau. of Richard Sawtel. He had several 
children before he came to Lex. The last two were bap. in the pre- 
cinct. He d. Dec. 13, 1721, and she d. July 4, 1720. He and his 
wife were ad. to the ch. Aug. 1699. He r. near Capt. William 
Reed. He was assessor in 1705. 

John, b. Feb. 15, 1678. 

Samnel, b. Oct. 27, 1679 ; d. young. 

Elizahdh, b. Jan. 27, 1681 ; d. Jan 12, 1720. 

^Jonathan, bap. in Lex. Sept. 10, 1699 ; probably a lad. 



Jonathan Hewes m. 



Jonathan, bap. June 20, 1710. 
Edmund, bap. Sept. 21, 1712. 



7 Elizabeth, bap. Sept. 23, 1711. 



THE HOAR FAMILY. 

The ancestor of this family, according to tradition, was a wealthy 
banker of London, and d. soon after his arrival in this country. 
Mrs. Joanna, probably his wife, d. at Braintree, 1661. She had two 
dau. and three sons, viz., Daniel, who went to England in 1653; 
Leonard, grad. H. C. 1650, was President of H. C. from 1672 to 
1675, when he d. ; and 

John Hoar, who was a lawyer, distinguished for bold, manly 
independence. He lived in Scituate from 1643 to 1655. About 
1660 he settled in Con., and d. April 2, 1704. His wife, Alice, d. 
June 5, 1697. 



Elizabeth, b. 
Mary, b. — 
\Daniel, b. - 



m. Dec. 22, 1675, Jonathan Prescott. 



; m. Oct. 21, 1668, Benjamin Graves. 
— ; m. first, Mary Stratton, and second, Mary Lee. 



Daniel Hoar, of Con., m. first, July 19, 1677, Mary Stratton; 
second, Oct. 16, 1717, Mary Lee. 

John, b. Oct. 24, 1678 ; m. Ruth , settled in Sud. 

Leonard, b. . He was a captain ; d. April, 1771, aged 87, in 

Brimfield, where apart of his descendants now reside,— some of 

whom have taken the name of Homer. 
\Daniel, b. 1680 ; m. Sarah Jones. 

Jonathan, b. ; d. at the Castle, Oct. 26, 1702. •* 

Joseph, b. ; d. at sea, 1707. 

Benjamin. 

Mary, b. March 14, 1689 ; d. June 10, 1702. 

Samuel, b. April 6, 1691. 13 Jsaac, b. May 18, 1695. 

David, b. Nov. 14, 1698. 15 Elizabeth, b. Feb. 22, 1701. 



Daniel Hoar m. Dec. 20, 1705, Sarah Jones, dau. of John and 
Sarah Jones, and lived in the south-easterly past of Con., where he 
d. Feb. 8, 1773, aged 93. 



7-16 \John, b. Jan. 6, 1707. He was twice married. 



17 



Jonathan, b. June 6, 1707 ; grad. H. C. 1740 ; was an officer in the 
Provincial service, during the war of 1744 to 1763. In 1755 he 
went, a major, to Fort Edward, the next year was lieut. -colonel 
in Nova Scotia, and aid to Major-Gen. Winslow at Crown Point. 
After the peace of 1763 he went to England, and was appointed 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



105 



18 



19 
20 
21 



7-16- 



16-22 
23 
24 
25 



Governor of Newfoundland and the noij^hboring provinces, but d. 
on his passage tliither, in 1771, aged 52. 

Daniel, entered IL C. 1780, but did not grad. lie m. Nov. 2, 1743, 
Rebecca Brooks. He moved to Narraganset No. 2, (Westmin- 
ster,) where he d., leaving two sons and two dau. 

Lricy, b. ; m. John Brooks. 

Elizabeth, b. ; m. Wliittemore of W. Cam1)ridge. 

Mary, b. ; m. Zachariah Whittemore. 



John Hoar m. in Lex., June 13, 1734, Esther Pierce, by whom 
he had two children. She d., and he m. in Wat., Aug. 21, 1740, 
Elizabeth Cooledge. He d. in Line. May 16, 1786, and his wid. d. 
March 20, 1791. He lived successively in Lex., Wat., Lex., and 
Line. This was partly owing to his changing the place of his resi- 
dence, and partly from alterations of town lines, which annexed a 
part of Lex. to Line. What time John Hoar became an inhabitant 
of Lex., we are not prepared to say. He was taxed in town both 
for personal and real estate in 1729, and had a seat assigned him in 
the meeting house in 1731, when they reseated the house. He was 
chosen one of the committee to provide for the schools in 1743. He 
subsequently filled the office of constable, assessor, and selectman. 
He resided in the south-westerly part of the town, at or near the 
present residence of Leonard Hoar, in Lincoln, — that place being 
set off from Lex. when Lincoln was erected into a town. 

Rebecca, b. in Lex. July 1, 1735 ; m. May 6, 1755, Joseph Cutler. 

Esther, b. in Wat. Jan. 28, 1739 ; m. May 8, 1760, Edmund Bowman. 

John, b. in Lex. July 14, 1741 ; d. young. 

Samuel, b. in Lex. Aug. 23, 1743 ; he was a magistrate in Lincoln, 
frequently represented that town in the House of Representatives, 
and was a senator from the county of Middlesex from 1813 to 1816. 
He m. Susanna Pierce, and had a family of ten children, five sons 
and five dau. Samuel; his oldest son, b. May 18, 1778, grad. H. 
C. 1802, received the degree of LL.D. 1838. He was a lawyer 
and resided in Con., where he d., much lamented, in 1857. He 
was not only distinguished in his profession, but was called to fill 
many important stations. He was a senator from IMiddlesex 
county, and represented his district in the Congress of the United 
States. He was a man of talents and of great moral worth, 
leaving a spotless reputation as a rich legacy to his children, 
some of whom have also become distinguished. His oldest son, 
Ebenezer Rockwood Hoar, b. Feb. 21, 1816, grad. H. C. 1835,^ 
commehced the practice of law in Con. 1839 ; appointed judge of 
the Court of C. P. 1849. He has also, like his lather and grand- 
father, represented his native county in the senate of Mass. He 
is now on the bench of the Supreme Court. He received the 
degree of LL.D. from Williams (^oU. 1861. Edward Sherman, 
his third son, grad. H. C. 1844, is a lawyer in New York. His 
youngest son, George Frisbie, grad. H. C. 1846, commenced the 
practice of law in Worcester ; was a senator from that county in 
1857. 

Elizabeth, h. in Lex. Oct. 14, 1746. 

Mary, b. in Lex. Oct. 5, 1750 ; d. young. 

Sarah, b. in Lincoln after her father's place was set off to that town, 
June 9, 1755 ; m. Nehemiah Abbot. 

Leonard, b. in Line. June 29, 1758; was twice ra. 

Rebecca, b. in Line. Oct. 18, 1761 ; m. Joseph White, Lancaster. 

Mary, b. June 17, 1764; m. March 27, 1788, Thomas Wheeler. 

Joseph, b. July 30, 1767. 



106 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 
3 



1- 2 
3 

4 
6 
6 



THE HOBBS FAMILY. 

JosiAH Hobus, the emigrant ancestor of the family of that name 
in New England, came to this country in 1G71, in the ship Arabella, 
Sprague, master, in July. He resided in Boston till 1690, when he 
removed to Camb. Farms. He ra. in 1683, and had a son, Josiah, 
b. in Boston 1684. After 1690, he resided in Lex., (except for a 
short period, when he was in the westerly part of Wo.) till his death, 
which happened May 30, 1741, aged 92 years. He was a subscriber 
for the meeting house in 1692, and was taxed for the support of the 
minister the year following. Aug. 1699, he and his wife, Tabitha, 
were ad. to the ch. In September of the same year Josiah, Tabitha, 
and Mary, three of their children, were bap. In Oct. 1700, Matthew 
and Stisaunavfure bap. The record of this family is very imperfect. 
They may have had other children. Most of the children d. in in- 
fancy, or before marriage. 

Josiah Hobbs m., and resided in Lexington till about 1714. In 
1713 he was chosen to " take care of y*^ swine." About this 
time he removed to Boston, where he resided many years, and late 
in life moved with his family to Weston, where the name has been 
common down to the present day. The Hobbses in Worcester county 
are descendants from this stock. Josiah Hobbs was married before 
he left Lex., and had several children bap. 

Ebenezer, bap. Jan. 8, 1709; his father owning the covenant. 
Elizabeth, bap. March 23, 1712; her mother, Mary, making due 

confession to the church. 
Tabitha, bap. April 13, 1712. 

This name is generally spelled Huhbs in Lex. records. 



THE HOLMES FAMILY. 

Dr. Howland Holmes and his wife came to Lex. from W. Camb. 
in the autumn of 1851. He is a son of Howland Holmes of Bridge- 
water, and grandson of Elias, and great gi'andson of Elisha Holmes 
of Plymouth. He was b. Jan. 16, 1815, and m. Aug. 28, 1849, 
Maria, dau. of William Cotting of West Camb., b. Mar. 3, 1818. 
He grad. at H. C. in 1843, and at the Mass. Medical School in 1848, 
and became a member of the Mass. Medical Society the same year. 
Before graduating from the medical school, he spent a portion of 
1846 and 1847 traveling in Europe, but mostly in studying in the 
hospitals at Paris and London. He has served several years on the 
school committee in West Camb. and in Lex. He holds a commis- 
sion of justice of the peace. 

Mary Eddy, b. in West Camb. Aug. 14, 1850 ; d. next day. 

Carrie Maria, b. in Lex. April 3, 1852 ; d. June 21, 1857. 

Francis Howland, b. Sept. 13, 1853. 

Sarah Eddy, b. Sept. 15, 1855. 

Charlotte Bronte, b. April 20, 1857 ; d. Feb. 25, 1865. 



THE HOUGHTON FAMILY. 

Levi Houghton, of Lancaster, b. 1736, m. Susan Richardson of 
that town. He d. 1818, aged 82; she d. 1814. Levi was probably 
a descendant of John Houghton, or his cousin Ralph, who settled in 
Lan. about 1652. Levi, by his wife, Susan, had seven children. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



107 



1- 2 
3 

4 



1- 2 
4 
6 

7 



They resided at one time in Worcester. Ijcvi, one of their sons, b. 
in Wor. about 1772, m. Elizabeth Stearns of Luiu!nl)urg about 1<S();5, 
where he resided. lie d. Jan. 27, 1<S()."), aged D;} ; she d. 18.'^, aj^ed 
47. lie was twice married after the death of his iirst wife, by whom 
lie had his children, nine in number. 

Samuel A. IIougiitox, son of Levi and Elizabeth, b. Jan. 4, 
1807, m. Sept. 3, LSIM, Martha W. Haywood of Townsend. They 
resided in Boston till March, 1839, when they removed to Lex. 

Elizabeth Stearns, h. June 14, 1835; m. Jan. 19, 1858, Ralph W. 

Shattuck of West Cambridge. 
'Melinda W., b. Aug. 31, 184U ; m. Aug. 20, 1861, Thomas Everett 

Cutler. 
Henry M., b. Sept. 22, 1842. 5 Clara G., b. Dec. 27, 1845. 



THE IIOVEY FAMILY. 

Daniel Hovey and Rebecca, his wife, came to this country and 
settled in Ipswich 1637. They had nine children ; Joseph, their fifth 
son, b. about 1652, m. Hannah Pratt and settled in Hadley. They had 
five children. John, b. 1684, m. first, Abbia Watson of Camb. Their 
family consisted of six children. Their oldest son, John, b. 1707, 
m. Elizabeth ISIuzzy, dau. of John Muzzy of J^ex. He grad. H. C. 
1725, was a ckrgyinan, d. 1773. He m. second, Susanna Lovett. 
Ebenezer, the fourth son of John and Abbia, b. 1714, m. Elizabeth 
Mason of Wat. They had but one child, Thomas, b. at Newton, 
Aug. 14, 1740; m. Elizabeth Brown, dau. of Dea. Josiah Brown. 
They had fifteen children ; all but one lived to grow up. Ebenezer, 
iheir fourth son, b. June 8, 1769, m. Sally Greenwood, dau. of Na- 
thaniel Greenwood of Brighton. He d. May 5, 1831, and she d. June 
27, 1863. They had twelve children, — thus sustaining the fruitful- 
ness of the family. 

Thomas G. Hovey, their fifth son, b. Jan. 23, 1816, m. Nov. 3, 
1841, Ann Maria Hoping of Camb., b. Nov. 13, 1822. 

Emma Maria, b. Dec. 26, 1842. 3 Ellen Amanda, b. Jan. 1, 1844. 

Thomas Ebenezer, b. June 23, 1845. 

Walter Sewall, b. May 7, 1847. 6 Oeorgianna, b. Feb. 7, 1849. 

Stilman Southwlck, b. April 15, 1850. 

Frank Pierce, b. Dec. 3, 1852. 

Mr. Hovey resided in Cambridge till about 1850, where his first 
five children v/ere b., when he came to Lex., where the last two 
were born. 



THE HUDSON FAMILY. 

The Hudsons were among the early settlers of New Englnnd. 
William, Francis, and Ralph, w«re in and about Boston before 1636, 
and were among the prominent citizens. But it is doubtful whether 
the Lancaster Hudsons were from either of these families. 

Daniel Hudson came to this country about 1639. He was in 
Wat. 1640, and settled in Lancaster, 1665, where he purchased a 
town ri"-ht for £40. His wife's name was Johanna, by wliom he iiad 
eleven children. One of his daughters m. Abraham Josliii. When 
the Indians attacked Lancaster in 1675, Joslin and his family took 



108 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 



2- 3 



3- 4 

6 

6 

7 

8 



10 

11 

12 

13 
14 



3-13- 



refnge in the garrison house of Rev. Mr. Rolandson. After a most 
vigorous defence, the house was set on fire, when the only alternative 
left was to perish in the flames or fall into the hands of the merciless 
foe. Joslin was killed while defending the inmates of the house ; 
but his wife and daui^Iiter Avere taken captive, with Mrs. Rolandson, 
carried away and barbarously murdered in the wilderness. The fate 
of his daughter Aima but prefigured that of her parents ; for in 1697, 
Daniel Hudson and his wife, one daughter, and two children of his 
son Nathaniel, were killed by the Indians in their incursion into that 
ill-fated town. His oldest son Daniel m. and settled in Bridgewater, 
and his son William soon followed him. 

Nathaniel Hudson, another son of Daniel, appears to have been 
rather migratory, for he is at one time in Lancaster and at another 
in Billerica. He ni. Rebecca Rugg. We have found no record of 
his children, except that three of theni, viz. Seth, Nathaniel, and 
Abigail, were bap. in Lexington, April 22, 1705. This was prob- 
ably when he was residing in Billerica ; for he deeded a lot of land 
in Lincoln to a Mr. Buss, about that time, and signed himself as of 
Billerica. He is also believed to be the father of John, who with 
Seth and Nathaniel settled in Marlborough. 

John Hudson, b. 1713, m. Eliz. McAllister of Northborough. 
She d. May 16, 1786, aged (J6, and he m. March 28, 1787, Bethia 
Wood, who survived him. He d. in Berlin, Aug. 6, 1799, aged 86. 
He resided first in Marlborough, and afterwards in Berlin. There is 
one peculiarity in the whole family. They seem to have had a taste 
for a military life. Few families of the same number have furnished 
as many soldiers for the old French and Indian wars, and the Revo- 
lutionary war, as the Hudsons. And in searching for their geneal- 
ogy, the army rolls will furnish as much information as the parish 
registers. John Hudson and two of his sons were in the service in 
the French war, and he and his eight sons were in the service during 
some period of the Revolutionary war. 

Elisha, b. ; m. Oct. 4, 1770, Susanna Brighani of Marlbor- 
ough. He was in the French war in 1756, '58, and '60. He was 
also in the Revolutionary army. After the war he removed to Can- 
ada, where he d. 

Elijah, b. ; m. Hannah Goodnow. He was in the French war 

in 1758, and '59 ; and also in the Revolution. 

Miriam, b. 1746 ; m. Jonas Babcock of Northborough, where she d. 

Moses, b. Jan. 4, 1749. He was five years in the Revolutionary 
army ; d. unm. 

Aaron, b. Aug. 24, 1750. He was in the Lexington alarm, 1775. 

Hannah, b. July 20, 1752 ; d. in Berlin, nnm. 

Ehenezer, b. May 16, 1755 ; d. in the Revolutionary army. 

John, b. May 9, 1757 ; moved to Oxford ; was three years in the 
Continental army. 

Charles, b. , 1759; he was a three years' man in the Conti- 
nental service, and when his time was about e.Kpiring, he was acci- 
dentally killed by our own men. Two scouting parties met in the 
night-time, and mistaking each other for the enemy, they fired, and 
killed him, and another man. 

^Stephen, b. June 12, 1761; he was three years in the Continental 
service. 

Elizabeth, b. ; m. Nov. 18, 1779, Levi Fay of Marlborough. 



Stephen Hudson m. Feb. 10, 1791, Louisa Williams, dau. of 
Larkin and Anna (Warren) Williams. He d. March 21, 1827, aged 




cS^'' 



^■^^c^-V 



^^^ ^^ .^c-^6^ o-^- 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



100 



13-15 
16 

17 

18 



13-17- 



17-19 

20 

21 

22 



G8. ami she d. ^-t. 7, 1837, aged 70. lie enlisted into tl,c fonti- 
nental army at iie a.<re of IG, and after tlie expiration of l.is tlnve 
years, lie entered on board a privateer, wliieh crossed tlie Atlantic 
and cruised on the coast of (ireat Britain, Spain, and l>ortii"al and' 
returned to the United States about the time peace was concluded 
After the war was over he enlisted for a Western campaign against 
tlie_ Indians ; but some reverses at the West induced a'ciian'^r,. of 
policy, and the comiiany to which ho belonj^ed proceeded no (u'l'liicr 
than West Poiiit, wliere they remained till their term of service ex- 
pired. While in the army and on board of the ])rivateer he was in 
several severe actions. While the army was in the Jerseys, he and 
others volunteered to seour the country around Philadelphia, to cut 
o(F the su|)plies which the British were drawinj; from the people. 
While in that service they were captured, carried into Pliihulclpliia, 
and thrown into ])rison, wliere for several months, in the heat of 
summer, they suIFered extremely from the closeness of their confme- 
ment, the want of provision, and the wanton cruelty of the guard. 
The" Philadelphia Jail," and tlie "Jersey Prison-sliip," wilb stand 
as lasting monuments of British cruelty and American siideriug, 
nearly approaching the barbarity and suffering at Amlersonville. 
When these prisoners were exchanged, they were so feeble and ema- 
ciated that they were scarcely able to walk, and yet tliey were turned 
out without money, without rations, and almost without clothing, to 
beg their way to their respective regiments. lie resided in Marl- 
boro', where his children were born. 

Nancji, b. July'8, 1791; d. unm. Sept. 30, 1853, aged G2. 
Elizabeth, b. Aug. 28, 1793; m. Sept. 5, 1814:, Thomas Coolcdgc. 

She had ten children, and d. Feb. 25, 1835, aged 42. 
\Charles, b. Nov. 14, 1795; he has been twice married. 
nouisa,h. May 3, 1798; m. Joseph Shurtlelf. She survived her 

husband, and d. June 17, 1825. 



Chakles Hudson m. July 21, 1825, Ann Rider of Shrewsbury, 
dau. of John and Merev (Brigham) Rider, b. July 4, 180G. Siie 
d. Sei)t. 19, 1829, aged 23 years; and he m. May 14, 1830, .Martha 
B. Rider, sister of his first wife. lie studied theology and was set- 
tled in Westminster, where he resided twenty-five years. He repre- 
sented the town four years in the House of Representatives, the 
county of Worcester six years in the Senate, and three years in the 
Executive Council, ami the District eight years in Congress. On 
leaving Congress he was appointed Naval Ollicer in the Boston Cus- 
tom liouse, a place he held four years. He was also eight years a 
member of the Board of Education, and four years an Assessor of 
Internal Revenue for the Sixth Collection District of Mass. He has 
also filled other public stations. He has published several books and 
tracts on theological and other subjects. Among his publications is 
a History of Marlboro', his native town. He is a member of several 
Historical Societies. In 1849, he removed from Westminster to 
Lexington, where be now resides. His children were born in 
Westminster. 

Harriet WiUiams, b. Aug. 18, 1827 ; d. July 2G, 1828. 

Harriet Arm, b. Sept. 13, 1829; m. Sept. 4, 1854, llenrv M. Smith. 

They reside in Chicago, TIL, where he is editor of a daily paper. 
3fartha IJ., b. April 10, 1832 ; d. April 25, 1832. _ 
Charles Henry, b. July 10. 1833; grad. a evil engineer at tJic J^aw- 

rence Scientific School, Harvard University, Iboo. He went \\ est 
72 



110 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



23 



24 



1- 2 



2- 3 
4 
5 
G 

7 



in 18.5.5, where be has been engap;ed in his profession. He m. Jan. 
1, 18G2, Frances II. I^ichols ol' Boston. They reside at Burling- 
ton, Iowa. 

Jolin Williams, b. July 10, 1836; m. March 2.5. 186.5, Sophia W. 
Mellen, dau. of Hon. Edward and Sophia (Whitney) Mellen of 
Wayland. He grad. li. C. 18.56, taught a high school, read law, 
and is in practice in Boston. In the late Kebellion, he served 
with 3.5th Regt. Mass. Vols, in the Army of the Potomac, and in 
Kentucky, Mississippi and East Tennessee. He was lieut. col. 
of liis regiment. He has held several town offices. 

Mary Elizabeth, b. March 31, 1839. 



There has been another f^imily of Hudsons in Lexington, who came 
from Boston, and probably were tlie descendants of William or 
Francis, who were in Boston or its immediate vicinity at the first 
planting of the colony, 

Joseph Hudson m. Dec. 24, 1764. Sarah White. She d. and he 
m. second, 1782, Elizabeth Brown. She d. in Boston, June, 1820. 
He had Josejjli, b. June 15, 1770; William, b. in Cohasset, June 15, 
1775; Benjamin, b. Feb. 27, 1783; John, b. March 19, 1786. 

John Hudson, the last named son of Joseph, m. March, 1808, 
Lucy Crocker. She d. Aug. 1837, and he m. April 19, 1838, Alice 
Frost. She d. Nov. 7, 1867. He is living in his 81st year. He 
came to Lexington in 1843. 

Eliza J. C, b. Dec. 4, 1808; d. Oct. 21, 1810. 

Eliza J. C, b. Nov. 23, 1812; d. July 13, 1832. 

Mart/, h. March 14, 1815; d. March 22, 1816. 

Jo/in, b. Nov. 22, 1818; d. May 22, 1840. 

William, b. March 17, 1822; m. Oct. 19, 1845, Lucretia Fiske, dau. 
of Samuel and Ardelia L. (Tufts) Fiske. b. July 12, 1825. He 
resided first in Lex. and then in Worcester. He entered the ser- 
vice in 1861, served under Burnside in North Carolina, was at- 
tached to the signal corps, and d. of disease Aug. 20, 1862. He 
left two children, John A., b. Dec. 26, 1846 ; William F., b. Oct. 
3, 1848. 



THE HUFFMASTER FAMILY. 

Isaac Huffmaster, son of Andrew and Abigail Huffmaster, b. in 
Wo. July 13, 1793. He came to Lex. in 1827, and m. Dec. 1827, 
Frances Wier, b. in Medford, Sept. 27, 1801. He d. Nov. 21, -1865, 
aged 72. They had three children, — Frances Maria, b. July 9, 
1829 ; m. April 11, 1854, A. Leonard Jewell of Walt. She d. Jan. 
9, 1860, leaving one child, Frank, b. Dec. 30, 1859. Mr. Jewell 
was killed by the falling of a staging, June 26, 1867. Isaac, b. June 
23, 1832, d. Oct. 6, 1832 ; Isaac, b. Aug. 19, 1838. 



THE HUNT FAMILY. 

Isaac Hunt was one of the assessors in 1711, and a subscriber 
for the purchase of the Common. His record is so meagre that we 
cannot trace him. The following are probably his children : Thomas, 
bap. April, 1701; Mary, bap. Sept. 5, 170*3; Henry, d. Nov. 11, 
1705; Ebenezer, bap. April 16, 1708; Samuel, bap. June 27, 1710; 
John, bap. March 9, 1712. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. m 

IXGERSOLL.— JoxATiiAX Ixokusolt, came to rosido in Loxinf- 
ton in 1755 from Ilolliston, In \1 :)1 , Jonathan and Natlmnlrl fn<in- 
soll were in the Freneh war as soldiers from Lex. Ilannnh liuferxoll 
was ad. to the ch. in Lex. Oct. U, 1759. Dorcas LujcrsoU was ban 
Oct. 21, 1859. ' ' 



THE JENNISON FAMILY. 

JosiATi Jkxxisox, b. Jan. 22, 1730, was the son of Natlianiol 
Jennison of Weston, who m. Oct. 23, 1729, Abijrail Mea<L daii. of 
Hopestill and Elizabeth Mead. Sh(! d. and he m. Feb. 12, 175G, 
Mary Tidd, dau. of Joseph and Dorothy (Sticknev) Tidd of Lex.! 
b. Jan. 7, 17;52. Tliey were admitted 'to the ch.' Nov. 13, 1757. 
Tliey had ei^ht children. Mar;/, bap. Nov. 13, 1757, d. younfj; Jkt- 
sey, bap. Nov. 13, 1757, ad. to the ch. April 5, 1777; Josiah, bap. 
Sept. 9, 1759; Mnnj, bap. Nov. 1. 1761; Nathan, bap. Oct. 28, 
1764; John, bap. Oct. 30, 1768; William, bap. Sept. 2, 1770. 



THE JOHNSON FAMILY. 

The Lexington records open witli the name of four Johnsons, John. 
William, Thomas, and Obadiah, all of adult age, tax payers, ami 
hence residents. The Johnsons were so numerous among the early 
emigrants, that it is impossible to trace them with accuracy. Jonx 
Johnson of Wo., probably a son of Capt. Edward, m. April 28, 
1657, Bethia Reed, and had among other children John, b. Jan. 24, 
1658; William, b. Sept. 29, 1662; Obadiah, b. June 15, 1664. 
These were probably the Johnsons found at Camb. Farms. John, 
William, and Thomas were subscribers for the meeting house, 1692, 
and John, William, and Obadiah were taxed in 1G93. John and 
William are continued on the tax list 1695 and 1696. 

John Johnson had a wife, and probably children, at that time. 
Mary, his wife, was ad. to the ch. before 1698, and on April 9, 1699, 
Mary, Prudence, and Rebecca were bap., and on the next Sabbath 
Sarah and Esther were bap. On the 4th of May, 1699, Mary was 
bap., and on the 10th of Sept., 1704, Abigail was bap. From these 
fragmentary records it is not possible to classify the families, and 
the following records of deaths at that period increases the per- 
plexity ; Thomas Johnson, d. Dec. 4, 1690; Mary Johnson, d. July 
16, 1691; Mary Johnson, sen., d. Dec. 29, 1694; John Johnson, d. 
March 8, 1698; Sarah Johnson, d. July 1, 1708. Some of these 
were probably the children of John. 

John Johnson was one of the parish assessors in 1712, and the 
year following he was consulted relative to a road to pass through his 
land, and in 1715 he was paid for the land so taken, lie must have 
resided in the northerly part of the town, in the neighborhood of the 
Lockes and the Blodgetts. 

The Lancaster records give the marriage of William Johnson and 
Ruth Rugg, both of Lexington, Feb. 11, 1725; and the Lex. records 
contain the following: " William Johnson, son of William and Ruth 
Johnson, b. April 2, 1725." After this there is no mention of the 
name for more than half a century. 



MuNSON Johnson came from Wo. to Lex. in 1795, and David 
Johnson in 1797. They were brothers, and sons of Francis Johnson 
of Wo., who was son of Francis, of the same town. Munson ni. 
Betsey Monroe, dau. of Nathan. They had two children b. in Lex., 
Charlotte and Adelia. 



112 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 



1- 2 
3 
4 

5 

6 

7 



D.vviD JOHXSON m. Feb. 2, 1804, Pbllena Munroe, dau. of John. 
Tlipy had no issue. He d. Oct. 26, 1860, aged 80 years and 5 months. 
She is living, in her 86th year. He took an active part in the militia, 
and rose to the rank of major. 



There was another branch of Francis Johnson's family which 
settled in liCxington. 

Thomas Johnsox, son of Frederick, and grandson of Francis, 
came to Lex. the latter part of the last century, to learn a trade of 
Seth Reed, and m. Sept. 1811, Mary Dudley, dau. of Nathan and 
Sarah Dudley. He d. July 1, 1830, aged 45"; she d. Dec. 3, 1862, 
aged 70. He left four dau., all of whom m. and have resided in Lex. 

3Iary D., b. Nov. 11, 1812 ; m. Jan. 16, 1836, Cotesworth P. Whee- 
ler. They have had Mary Henrietta, b. July 22, 1838, d. July 9, 
1866; Clara Ellen, b. Oct. 14, 1840; Theodora Elizabeth, b. Oct. 
4, 1844. He d. May 14, 18GG. 

Sarah Maria, b. April 22, 1816 ; m. Feb. 13, 1840, James Sumner. 

Emihj, b. July 27, 1818; m. May 30, 1850, William E. Cogswell, 
and had one son, Willie, b. Jan. 15, 1853, and d. Sept. 7, 1853. 
He d. Feb. 12, 1860, aged 40. 

Susan Sprague, b. July 4, 1824 ; m. Dec. 30, 1846, David A. Tuttle. 

There has been another family of Johnsons in Lex., the pedigree 
of which we have not been able to trace. 

John Johnson ra. Nov. 12, 1810, Eunice Pierce of Weston. He 
d. June 1, 1856, aged 76. He was son of Obadiah Johnson, who m. 
Sarah Loring, dau. of John Loring. Tradition says that he had 
John and Sarah. Who Obadiah Johnson was, whence he came, and 
whither he went, we have not been able to ascertain. John lived 
and d. on East street, near Lowell street. 

Elhridge, b. April 11, 1811 ; d. April 12, 1811. 

John E., b. Sept. 11, 1812 ; d. June 27, 1826. 

Susan A., b. April 17, 1815; m. April 2, 1831, Horatio Brown. 

Thomas S., b. Oct. 3, 1817 ; m. Aug. 15, 1844, Margaret Sweney 

of Charlestown, where he d. 1858. 
Nancy A., b. Aug. 28, 1820; d. Oct. 20, 1822. 

Ann M., b. March 23, 1823 ; m. Aug. 30, 1843, Abel Jones of Acton. 
Sarah J., b. March 13, 1825; m. June 11, 1842, Alfred Laws of 

Westford. 
Almira, b. Ap. 30, 1827 ; m. Ap. 19, 1850, Wyman Skilton of Bur. 
JohnH., b. Sept. 18, 1830. 
Andrew, b. Feb. 11, 1833 ; m. Oct. 19, 1866, Sarah Cheney of Orange. 



There is still another family of the name. Charles W. John- 
son, b. in Wayland, June 5, 1805, m. April 12, 1832, Martha S. 
Miles of Con. He moved to Lex. in 1848. They have four chil- 
dren ; Charles E.,h. Nov. 12, 1833; m. Nov. 29, 1859, Kitty M. 
Hadlock; Joseph M., b. Aug. 10, 1835; Martha M., b. July 18, 
1838, m. June 19, 1863, Albert F. Nurse ; William B., b. Mar. 2, 1842. 



THE KENDALL FAMILY. 

Though the Kendalls have never been numerous in Lex., there 
was one family in town about the time of its incorporation. They 



1- 2 
3 
4 

5 

6 

7 

9 

11 

12 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 113 

came from Wo., where Francis Kendall was, as early as 10 10 and 
was made freeman 1617. He m. Dec. 21, 164-1, Mary Tidd of that 
town, and had John, b. 1616, Thomas, b. 1618, Samuel, b. lOoi), 
besides several daughters. Francis Kendall was the ancestor of 
most of the Kendalls in Massachusetts, and indeed of New En;,dand. 
His son Thomas, m. Ruth, and had among other children Tiromus, 
b. May 19, 1677. He was the first of the name in Lex. 

TnoMAS Kendall probably m. IMarch 30, 1<96, Abigail Brough- 
ton of Wo. as his first wife, and about 1701, m. second, Sarah, dau. 
of Rev. Thomas Cheever of Chelsea. She d. in Framingiiain, May 
2, 1761, aged 75. They probably came to Lex. about 1710. In 
1713, in the quaint language of the record, " discourse being on 
foot concerning highways, Capt. William Reed odcrcd to give for 
the peace and (juiet of the town," a highway for Thomas Kendall 
and the neighborhood westerly of him, through his land to the town 
road. From this time there was a long, bitter controversy about 
Thomas Kendall's road, which was settled by Mr. Kendall's giving a 
bond to the town in 1730, binding himself and his heirs to save the 
town harmless from all expense in maintaining the road forever. It 
is difficult to fix the exact locality of the residence of Mr. Kendall, 
but it would seem that he resided south and west of the great mea- 
dow, near the brook running into the same, and probably near what 
is now known as the Thorning Place. 

Thomas Kendall and his wife were ad. to the ch. in Lex. 1728. 
He was constable in 17 18, and filled several other subordinate town 
offices. In 1715, he and his wife were dismissed to the ch. in Fra- 
mingham, to which ])lace they had removed. Their first four chil- 
dren were born in Wo., and the rest in Lexington. 

Sarah, b. Sept. 7, 1702. 

Thomas, b. July 30, 1704. He was ad. to the ch. in Lex. 1726. 
Abigail, b. Aug. 10, 1706; ad. to the ch. in Lex. Nov. 29, 1724. 
Benjamin, b. Feb. 25, 1708. He went to Sherb., where he m. Jan. 

21, 1733, Kezia Leland, and had a family in that place. 
Joshua, b. Aug. 7, 1713; m. 17-45, Sarali Dewing of Natlck, and 

resided in Framingham. 
Ezeldel, b. Dec. 21, 1715. 8 Elizabeth, b. March 4, 1718. 
Ruth, b. June 13, 1720. 10 Jane, b. Nov. 14, 1722. 
Elijah ? , T o^ -■-■>- S '"• Mav 24, 1750, Jemima Smith, Sud. 
Elisha, \ ^- ^^''- ^^' ^'-^ M probably d. young^ 



There were other Kendalls in Lex. at a somewhat early day, 
probably relatives of Thomas. Eleazer, of Eleazer and Hannah 
Kendall, bap. April 2, 1714; William, bap. I\Iay 6, 1716, ad. to ch. 
Oct. 16, 1737. Daniel Fiske of Walt. m. April 7, 1763, Sarah Ken- 
dall of Lexington. 

Oliver W. Kendall was son of Capt. Oliver and Lucy Kendall 
of Ashby. He was b. Sept. 17, 1805; m. Feb. 8, 1831, INLiry, dau. 
of Paul and Elizabeth Gates of Ashby, b. May 13, 1807. They 
came to Lex. immediately after their marriage. He has filled the 
office of constable about twenty years. They have two cluldren ;_ 
Frank 0.,h. Jan. 18, 1834; m. Jan. 15, 1860, Estelle Ditson of 
Boston They r. in Marlborough. He was m service nine months 
in the late rebellion. Mary Elizabeth, b. Sept. 4, 1836 ; m. March 
27, 1862, Charles Ilervey Benne tt. He d. July 8, 1864. 

KIBBE— In 1710, Sherebriah Kibbe and Elizabeth Kibbe, 
probably bis wife, were ad. to the ch. in Lex. From what place they 



114 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



came, we have not learned. He subscribed, in 1711, for the pur- 
chase of the Common, and in 1713 was appointed sealer of leather. 
The following is found upon the church records : Seth Kibbe, bap. 
Feb. 17, 1711; Sarah Kibbe, bap. April 23, 1713; Sept. 9, 1722, 
bap. Samuel, Ebenezer, Elizabeth, and Manj Kibbe, — all of whom 
owned the covenant but Ebenezer. Esther Stone, dau. of Sherebriah 
Kibbe, and Hannah Kibbe, were also bap. 



THE LAUGHTON FAMILY. 

John Laughton, and his wife Sarah, came to Lex. from Reading 
about 1720. The first mention of them is the baptism of their dau. 
Hannah, Nov. 6, 1720. They were ad. to the ch. in Lex. from the 
church of Reading, Jan. 24, 1723. He resided on Monument street, 
at or near the place recently occupied by Samuel A. Houghton. In 
1733, John Laughton was chosen deacon, and became a prominent 
man both in the church and in the town. In 1722, he was chosen 
one of the assessors, and filled that office nine years. He was also 
one of the selectmen in 1738. July 1, 1744, he and his wife and his 
son Jeremiah were dismissed to the ch. at Harvard, to which place 
they had removed a short time before. They had four children bap. 
in Lex.— Hannah, h. Oct. 30, 1720; Jeremiah, h. July, 1723, d. 
soon after birth; Jeremiah, b. Aug. 4, 1725, moved to Harvard; 
Hepzibah, bap. July 27, 1735, m. Feb. 9, 1758, Edward Winship. 



There were other Laughtons in Lex. about that period. Thomas 
Laugiitox, and his wife Abigail, were in town, and had two children 
bap. viz. Sarah, bap. Dec. 10, 1735, and Tho7nas, Nov. 15, 1737. 
Thomas, the father, was ad. to the ch. April 14, 1728. He may have 
been a brother of Dea. John. Both left town about the same time. 



1- 2 
3 
4 

a 

6 

7 



THE LAWRENCE FAMILY. 

Though the Lawrences were not among the earliest settlers in 
Lex., the name appears on our records as early as 1693; and for a 
considerable period they were among the prominent citizens. They 
were the descendants of John Lawkence, an early settler in Wat. 
This family dates back to the early period of 1190. It commenced 
with Sir Robert Lawrence, who was present at the seige of Acre, 
1191. The immediate descendants of Sir Robert married into the 
family of Washington, and thus the name of Lawrence was continued 
in the family down to the grandfather of Gen. Washington. The 
grandson of Sir Robert m. Matilda, dau. of John de Washington. 

John Lawrence was probably in Wat. as early as 1635, as his 
eldest child was born there March 14, 1636. He was admitted free- 
man April 17, 1637. He had two wives, and fifteen children. By 
his first wife, Elizabeth, he had thirteen, and by his last, Susanna 
Batchelder, he had two. The history of this family is very obscure, 
but little being known of the children except their names. 

John, b. March 14, 1636. 

Jonathan, b. ; buried April 6, 1648. 



^Nathaniel, b. Oct. 15, 1639. 
Joseph, h. March, and d. May, 1642. 
Joseph, b. May 30, 1643. 

Mary, b. July 16, 1645; m. Inego Potter of Charlestown. 
8 I Peleg, b. Jan. 10, 1647. 9 Enoch, b. March 6, 1649. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



115 



1-4- 



-16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 

22 
23 
24 
25 
26 



4-19- 



Samuel, mentioned in Lis father's will. 

Isaac, b. ; m. April 19, 1082, Abigail Bellows. 

Elizabeth, b. INIay 9, 1655. 

Zechariah, b. March 9, 1659. 14 Abigail, h. Jan. 0, 1666. 

Susanna, b. July 3, 1667, eight days before the death of her latiier. 



Nathaniel Lawrence of Groton m. in Sudbury, March 13, 
1661, S.arah Morse, dau. of John and Hannah of Dedliani. She d. 
in Groton 1()84. He was ad. freeman in 1672, was early fhuben 
Dea., was a representative, and was much employed in ])ublic busi- 
ness. After the death of iiis wife, Sarah, he m. Hannah . She 

d. after 1701, for her signature is set to a deed at tliat date. In 
advanced life he moved to Lex., where he d. April 14, 1724, aged 
85. His will, dated Aug. 4, 1718, and proved May 4, 1724, men- 
tions sons Nathaniel and John, dau. Hannah Iloulden and Mary 
Wheeler, son Samuel Page, dau. Elizabeth Harris and dau. Deborah, 
and grandson Lawrence. What time he came to Lex. is uncertain; 
not however till after 1701. His son had preceded him, as he was 
in Lex. in 1693, his name being upon the tax bill of that year. He 
probably came to reside with his son John. 

Nathaniel, b. in Sud. April 4, 1661; m. Ann . 

Sarah, b. in Sud. Jan. 1, 1663; d. young. 

Hannah, b. July 3, 1664; d. voung. 

\John, b. July 29, 1667 ; d. in Lex. March 12, 1746. 

Mary, b. March 3, 1670; d. early. 

Sarah, b. May 16, 1672; she was probably the first wife of Samuel 

Page, who moved to Southboro. 
Elizabeth, b. July 6, 1674; d. Oct. 20. 1675. 

Elizabeth, b. ; m. Abner Harris of Medford. 

Hannah, b. April 26, 1687 ; m. Saumel Holden. 
Mary, b. Oct. 16, 1690; m. Zebadiah Wheeler. 
Jonathan, b. June 14, 1796. 



19-27 

28 
29 
30 
31 

32 
33 
34 
35 

19-27- 



JonN Lawrence, a blacksmith and a farmer, m. in Groton, Nov. 
9, 1687, Anna Tarbell. He moved to Camb. Farms in 1693, where 
he and his wife were admitted to the ch. Feb. 9, 1699. He resided 
on the Bedford road, near the Bedford line. He was chosen one of 
the parish assessors in 1702, constable in 1705, selectman in 1/17, 
'19, '26, '27, and '31. He was often employed by the town on nn- 
portant' committees, and was a highly respectable and useful citizen. 
He d. March 12, 1746, aged 79 ; she d. Dee. 19, 1732, aged 03. 

\John, b. June 10, 1688; d. Jan. 22, 1752. 

Thomas, b. ; resided in Groton. 

William, b. 1697 ; of Groton. 



Bancroft of 



/Scmi^eZ, b. July 9, 1700. t, • • 

Anna, bap. Oct. 1, 1702, in Lex. ; m. Capt. Benjamm 

Charlestown. She d. Julv 21, 1787, in Groton. 
\Jonathan, bap. Feb. 24. 1706; m. Elizal)eth Swain. 
SarrtA, bapf June 20, 1708; m. Josiah Iriske. 
\Benjamin, bap. May 31. 1713; m. Jane Russell, l/3o. 
\Amos, bap. Feb. 19, 1716 ; he removed to Groton. 

John Lawrence m. May 18, 1710, Elizabeth Stone, b. June 19, 
1693 dau. of Dea. Samuel and Dorcas (Jones) Stone. Ihoiigl. lu 
wa'^ married in Lex. and his children were baptized there, he resided 
within the bounds of Wo., and took an active part in the aUairs ol 



116 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



19-32- 



32-30 

37 

38 

39 

40 
41 



42 

43 
44 
45 



19-34- 



19-35- 



32-40- 



the precinct, when the northern part of AVo. was made a distinct 
parish. He had eight children, one of whom, Rebecca, m. June 27, 
1751, Thomas Locke of Lexington. 



Jonathan Lawrence m. Feb. 26, 1727, Elizabeth Swain of Lex., 
b. 1707. He d. March 19, 1773, aged 68, and his widow d. July 4, 
1790, aged 85. He first settled in Sudbury, afterwards in Framing- 
ham, and returned about 1740, as one of his children was bap. in 
Lex. in 1741. The same year he was elected to town office. In 1743, 
he and his wife united with the church in Lex., by a letter of recom- 
mendation from the East Church in Sudbury. He was frequently 
employed in public business by the town, having filled the ofiice of 
highway surveyor, tythingman, constable, &c. 

Elizabeth, b. in Lex. Feb. 19, 1728; d. Jan. 16, 1733. 

Mary, b. in Framingham Nov. 30, 1729; m. Abijah Smith of Lex., 

Jan. 1750. 
Sarah, b. in Fram. Dec. 15, 1731 ; m. Jan. 30, 1752, Jonathan Reed, 

son of Benjamin and Rebecca Reed of Lex. He settled in Littleton. 
Jonathan, b. in Fram. Feb 5, 1734. He went to Wo., where he m. 

Elizabeth Johnson ; afterwards moved to Ashby. 
\Dezaleel, b. probably in Fram., April 13, 1730. 
Micah, b. March 15, 1739, and bap. in Lex. He grad. H. C. 1759, 

was ordained a minister at Winchester, N. H., Nov. 14, 1764, and 

d. Jan. 1794, aged 55. 
Elizabeth, b. Dec. 13, 1741, bap. in Lex. ; m. Nov. 7, 1704, Thad- 

deus Bowman of Lex. 
Anna, b. March 19, 1746 ; d. July 18, 1753. 
John, b. June 5, 1748 ; went to Ashby, where he was deacon. 
Benjamin, b. Sept. 13, 1750; d. June 9, 1753. 



BenjaiMIN Lawrence m. Feb. 12, 17.35, Jane Russell, b. July 
19, 1711, dau. of Jonathan and Elizabeth. He was ad. to the ch. 
June 29, 1735, she being a member before. They were dismissed in 
1737 to the church in Westborough, and from that church to Boston. 



Amos Lawrence, who was bap. in Lex. Feb. 19, 1716, m. Nov. 
17, 1749, Abigail Abbott, b. Jan. 25, 1721, dau. of Nehemiah 
and Sarah (Foster) Abbott of Lex. At what time he left Lex. is 
uncertain. He moved to Groton, where his children were born. He 
had four sons, Amos, Nehemiah, Samuel, and Asa, born between 
1750 and 1757. Samuel, his third son, became quite distinguished. 
He m. 1777 Susanna Parker of Groton. He was a dea. of the church, 
justice of the peace, and filled other important offices. He was one 
of those who rallied at Coniord to oppose the progress of the British 
troops. He was one of the founders of the academy in Groton, which 
now bears his name. He was highly esteemed by his townsmen, and 
respected by all who knew him. He had six sons, five of whom lived 
to grow up, and became very distinguished. Luther, b. 1778 ; Wil- 
liam, b. 1783; Amos, b. 1785; Abbott, b. 1792; Samuel, b. 1801. 
The first of these was a lawyer, and mayor of , Lowell, the other four 
were merchants in Boston, well known and respected in the commu- 
nity. Abbott represented the country, as Minister Plenipotentiary, 
at the Court of St. James. 



Bezaleei. Lawrence m. Oct. 19, 1758, Sarah Muzzy, dau. of 
Amos and p]sther (Green) Muzzy, b. ]\Iarch 30, 1737. He was ad. 
to the ch. March 20, 1758. He il. Feb. 6, 1796, and she d. Feb. 4, 
1819, aged «0. 



GENEALOGICAL KEGISTER. 



117 



40-46 
47 

48 

49 
60 
51 
52 



40-51- 

51-53 
55 
57 
59 

40-52- 

52-61 
63 
64 



Sarah, h. Sopt. 3, 1759; m. Nov. 15, 1781, John Smith of Lex 
Anna, b. May 17, 1761 ; d. A])!-!! 4, 1845, a{;o.l 84. 
Bezaleel, b. April 12, 176:), He went to Leominster, where he be- 
came one of their prominent citizens. 
Esther, h. June 30, 1765 ; m. Oct. 7, 1784, Jolin Hastings. 
Bethia, h. Sept. 25, 1767; d. April 19, 18U1, a>>;ed 34. 
\Jonas, h. Feb. 27, 1770; d. Jan. 8, 1835, aged 65. 
\Jonathan, b. Sept. 11, 1774; d. 1840. 



Jonas Lawrence m. 1789, Dorcas Wood of Woburn. 



Dorcas, b. Oct. 29, 1790. 
Jonas, b. Feb. 4, 1796. 
LiH\t/, b. Jan. 12, 1801. 
Emeline, h. Dec. 7, 1805. 



54 Edmund, h. Dec. 7, 1794. 
66 Lnrena, b. July 19, 1798. 
58 John, b. June 17, 1803. 
60 Joiejjh B. v., b. Aug. 31, 1807, 



Jonathan Lawrence in. April 12, 1798, Polly Reed of Bedford. 

PoUy, b. April 28, 1799. 62 Esther, b. April 23, 1801. 

Abigail, b. Nov. 8, 1803; d. Dec. 23, 1826. 
Elizabeth Swain, b. Sept. 10, 1807. 



There has been another family of Lawrences in town more recently, 
which originated from Wat., but it is thought by tho.si; well informed, 
that there was no relationship between them. John Lawrence and 
George Lawrence were both early settlers in Wat. Bond, in his 
genealogies of Watcrtown, says, " The will of John Lawrence fur- 
nishes no reason for supposing that he and (ieorge were nearly 
related. All the families of this name in Wat., Walt., and Weston, 
after the removal of John and his family to Groton, ajifjear to be 
descendants I'rom George. 

The preceding families descended from John, and tiie following 
families from George. 

George Lawrence, of Wat., was b. 1637; m. Sept. 29, 1657, 
Elizabeth Crispe, who d. 1681 ; and he m. 1691, Elizabeth Holland. 
He had fourteen children ; George, his third son, b. June 4, 1668, m. 
Mary, and had eight children. John, the second son of George, was 
b. Feb. 20, 1704, and d. 1770. He r. in what is now Walt., and m. 
Jan. 24, 1734, Mary Hammond. His youngest son, Bhinehas, b. 
Feb. 19, 1749, m. Nov. 5, 1770, .Elizabeth Stearns. He was a dea- 
con and selectman, 1781-1786. He had eleven children, 

Phinehas Lawrence, the oldest son of the preceding Phinehas, 
was b. Feb 19, 1775, and m. Dec. 22. 1796, Polly Wellington, dau. 
of William Wellington. He resided in Walt, about four years after 
his marriage, when he settled in Lex., 1800. He d. June 9, 1864, 
aged 89, and she d. June 9, 1847. 

^Isaac W., b. in Walt. Jan. 30, 1797; m. Sept. 11, 1822, Mary Par- 
ker; hed. 1843. ,^ , „ 

Lo7usa,\). in Walt. Sept. 10, 1798; m. Oct. 23, 1821, Marshall 
Brown ; r. in Western. . 

Maria, b. in Lex. April 3, 1800 ; m. April 23, 1822, Joshua S. Smith. 
She is still living. 

Adeline b Dec. 19, 1801 ; m. Nov. 21, 1822, Thomas Barnes, Ualt. 

hvilUam H., b. Nov. 28, 1803; m. May 9, 1835, Eliza Eaton. 

Sybil, b. Sept. 4, 1805; m. Dec. 24, 1824, Bass of Peterbor- 
ough, N. H. They had two chil. b, in Lex. ; Almira, who m. 
Prescott Bennett; and Addison, who m Hannah Hopping. 
73 



118 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1-2- 



2-15 
IG 
17 
18 

1-6- 

G-19 
20 
21 
22 
23 

1-8- 



8-24 
25 

26 

27 
28 

29 

30 
31 
32 

1-10- 

10-33 
34 
35 



\Sydnpy, b. Dec. 24, 1806 ; m. Ap. 9, 1829, Anna Maynard of Walt. 
Charles, h. Sept. 30, 1808; d. 1811. 

\Phinehas, b. Sept. 4, 1810; m. July 3, 1831, Catharine Pierce. 
Charles, h. June 21, 1812; drowned June 17, 1832. He was the 

first buried in the new cemetery in Lexington. 
Franklin, b. June 17, 1814; d. Sept. 2, 1847, unm. 
Mary W., b. April 13, 181G ; m. April 28, 1842, Willard Evans ; she 

d. 1848. 
Leonard, b. Feb. 2">, 1820; ni. April 19, 1845, Elizabeth Lord of 

Portsmouth, N. H. ; r. in Providence. 



Isaac W. Lawrence m. Sept. 11, 1822, Mary Parker, dau. of 
Robert Parker. He d. Nov. 18, 1843. His widow is still living. 



Albert, b. — 
Henry L., h. 
Parker, b. — 
Theodore, b. 



- ; r. in Arlington. 
r. in Boston. 
■ ; r. in Boston. 



William H. Lawren'Ce m. May 9, 1835, Eliza Eaton. 

A?in Eliza, h. ; m. Comee ; r. in Boston. 

Charles H., h. ; m. in Boston, where he resides. 

George Bancroft, b. ; r in St. Louis. 

Abbott, b. ; r. in Boston. 

Wesley, b. ; r. in Boston. 



Sydney Lawrence m. April 9, 1829, Anna Maynard of Walt., 
dau. of Antipast Maynard, b. Oct. 27, 1809. 

Julian, b. June 1, 1830; m. Sydney Butterfield, 

Charles, b. Aug. G, 1832 ; m. Georgiana Robinson ; r. in E. Camb. 

William Webster, b. Sept. 15, 1834; m. Judith C. Smith; r. in East 

Cambridge. 
Waldo E., b. Dec. 15, 1836 ; r. in Boston. 
Francis M., b. Jan. 15, 1838; m. Mrs. Mary Thayer of Camb. ; r. 

there. 
George H., b. Feb. 28, 1841 ; m. Oct. 1865, Mary Marsh of Belmont, 

and r. in Boston. 
Almira A., b. Sept 28. 1843; d. Oct. 1, 18G5. 
Bernard W., b. June 15, 1846; r. in Boston. 
Sydney M., b. June 12, 1853. 



Phinehas Lawrence m. Catharine Pierce, dau. of Loring Pierce. 

; killed in the late war. 
; r. in Providence. 



Leander, b. 

William W.,h. 
So]yhia, b. 



; m. Maxwell Reed; r. in Providence. 



THE LIVERMORE FAMILY. 

Though the name of Livermore rarely appears upon our records, 
the fact that Leonard .T. Livermore was one of our clergymen for 
nine years, will justify the following notice of the family. 

John Livermore came to New England, 1634, when 28 years of 
age, and settled in Wat. 1642. He was ad. freeman 1635. He was 
frequently elected selectman in Wat. By his wife Grace he had nine 
children. Samuel, one of his sons, was ad. freeman, 1671. He m. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



119 



1- 2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 



1-8- 



Anna Bridgo, and d. Dec. 5, IfiOO. She d. Aug. 28. 1727, ngcd 81. 
They had twelve cliihlren. Jonathan, their sixth cliihl, h. April I'j' 
1G78; m. Nov. 23, IGOD, Rebecca Barnes. He d. Nov. 8, 1705. and 
she d. Dec. 9. ncio, ajjed f<."). They had four children. Jonathan, 
their oldest child, b. Aug. IG. 1700;" m. June 23, 1723, Abigail Ball. 
About two years after tiieir marriage they moved to Northboro', of 
wjnch he was the lirst town clerk. His wife dying, he m. Nov. 1(3, 
1775, Jane Dunlap. He lived to the remarkable age of one hundred 
years and seven months. He had eleven children by his first wife. 
Jonathan, their fifth child, b. Dec. 7, 172;», grad. at H. C. 17C0. He 
was settled as a clergyman in Wilton, N. II. He m. Sept. U, 17119, 
Elizabeth Kidder, who d. liis widow, Dec. 12, 1822. He d. July 30, 
1809, aged 80. They had ten children. 

Solomon K. Livekmoue, the fifth child of Rev. Jonathan, was b. 
March 2, 1779 ; grad. at H. C. 1802, studied law and settled in Mil- 
ford, N. H. He m. July 6, 1810, Abigail A. Jarvis of Cauib. lie 
repeatedly represented the town in the Legislature. 

Leonard Jarvis, b. April 15, 1811; d. Nov. 28, 1822. 
Henry Lee, b. Aug. 3, 1812 ; was a merchant in Baltimore. 
Thomas A., b. Feb. 7, 1814 ; a surgeon dentist at Galena, 111. 
Elizabeth, b. Dec. 12, 1815; d. June, 1817. 
Elizabeth A., b. March 28, 1818. 

Rebecca P. J., b. Dec. 31, 1819; m. Aug. 24, 1841, Joseph C. Man- 
ning of Baltimore. 
\LeQnard Jarvis, b. Dec. 8, 1822 ; grad at H. C. 1842. 
Mary, b. Sept. 18, 1825. 



Leonard J. Livermore m. March 18, 1847, Mary Anne C. Per- 
kins, dau. of Aaron Perkins. He was installed at Lex. Oct. 4, 1857 ; 
left the Society, Nov., 1800 ; r. in Cambridge. 

Alle7ia M., b. April 1, 1848, at East Boston. 
Clara P., b. May 27, 1851, at Groton. 
Joseph P., b. Feb. 19, 1855, at Clinton. 
Henry Jarvis, b. May 27, 1865, at Lexington. 



THE LOCKE FAMILY. 

The Lockes have been a numerous family in Lex. from its early 
settlement. In 1634, among others 

William Locke, a lad only six years of age, came to this coun- 
try with his relative Nicholas Davis, in the ship Planter, Nicholas 
Trarice, master. They came to Woburn, then a part of Charlestown. 
William Locke was b'. at Stepney Parish, London, Eng , Dec. 13, 
1G28; m. Dec. 27, 1G55, ]\lary Clarke of Wo., dau. of William and 
Margery. She was b. at AVat., Dec. 20, 1G40, and d. at Wo. July 
18, 1715, aged 74 years and 7 months. He d. June 16, 1720, aged 
9l'years and 6 months. He was a large land holder in dilTcrcnt 
parts of Wo. and several lots bounding upon Camb. (now Lex.) 
line. He was a dea. of the ch. 

William, b. Dec. 27, 1657 ; d. Jan. 9, 1658. 

\William, b. Jan. 18, 1G59 ; m. Sarah Whitmoreand Abigad Ilavwood. 

\John, b. Aug. 1, IGGl; m. Elizabeth Plympton and Mary Wyniau. 

\Joseph, b. March 8, 1GG4 ; had three wives. 

Mary, b. Oct. 16, 1G6G ; m. March 30, 1G92, Samuel Kendall. 



120 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1-3- 



3-11 
12 
13 
14 
15 



1-4- 



1-5- 



5-1 & 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 



1-7- 



\Samvd, b. Oct. 14, ITiGO; had two wives. 

jEbenezer, b. Jan. 8, 1674; was twice married. 

James, h. Xov. 14, 1677 ; m. Dec. 5, 1700, Sarah Cutter. 

Elizabeth, b. Jan. 4, 1681 ; m. Oct. 14, 1700, James Markham. 



William Locke, Jr. m. May 29, 1683, Sarah Whitmore, dau. 
of Francis and Isabel (Park) Whitmore of Camb. She d. and he 

m. June 8, 16'J8, Elizabeth . He d, July 8, 1738, aged 79 ; 

she d. 1748 or 49. He was chosen deacon 1709, was selectman in 
1704 and 1732. He resided in that part of Wo. which was afterward 
Burlington. After his decease, on petition of Thomas Locke, his 
grandson, a part of this estate, including the house, was set to Lex. 
This was the house on Lowell street, known as the Hammond Locke 
place. 

^WiUiajn, h. June 28, 1684; was twice married, 
i^mncis, b. July 25, 1690 ; " " 
na7iiel, b. July 9, 1693; " " 

■\Ebenezer, b. ; by second wife, Elizabeth. 

Abigail, b. June 22, 1710; m. Oct. 3, 1728, Jonas Merriam. 
These children were born in Woburn, but now Lexington. 



John Locke m. May 31, 1683, Elizabeth Plympton, dau. of 
Thomas and Abigail Plympton of Sudbury, who was an emigrant 
from England, and was killed by the Indians at Sudbury, April 18, 
1676. She d. Feb. 23, 1720, and he m. Nov. 30, 1720, widow Mary 
Wyman, who was dau. of Increase Winn of Wo., who was the first 
white child b. in that town. He lived in Wo. but probably d. at 
Lancaster, about 1756. Thev had seven children. 



Joseph Locke m. Mary 



— , who d. April, 1707, and he m. 
Margaret Mead, dau. of Israel Mead. He resided in that part of 
Camb. which is now Lex. His farm probably joined his brother Wil- 
liam's. In 1695, his father gave him twenty acres at a place called 
" Cambridge ffarmes," containing a mansion house and barn, and 
"out-housing, orchard, fields, &c., bounded S. E. by Capt. Cook's 
farm, W. by Joseph Simonds ; also four acres at 'Bull Meadow,' 
bounded by Cambridge line S. W." 



Mary, b. — 
Abigail, b. 
Lydia, b. 



; m. George Traluddia, ( ?) July 15, 1727. 
— ; m. Jan. 8, 1720, Thomas Fessenden. 



Sarah, h. July 14, 1696 ; m. June 10, 1718, Samuel Snow. 

\Joseph, b. March 19, 1699 ; m. Sarah . 

Elizabeth, b. March 15, 1703; m. Aug. 13, 1725, John Scatto, (.') 

Huldah, b. June 28, 1705 ; m. May 28, 1743, Timothy Reed. 

Margaret, b.May 6, 1710; m. Nov. 5, 1730, John Russell, 

Joanna, b. Feb. 2, 1713 ; m. Jan. 3, 1734, Jonas Munroe. 

Ruth, b. May 9, 1715. 

^Stephen, b. Jan, 26, 1718 ; m. Mehitabel Raymond. 



Samuel Locke m. Ruth . She was a member of the ch. 

in Lex. before 1698, and d. Dec. 14, 1714. He m. Mary Day of 
Ipswich. He possessed a large landed property, and resided about 
half a mile from Lex. Common on the county road to Bed. He had 
but one child, Samuel, b. July 5, 1718. He lived on his father's 
place, before spoken of, and d. there unm. His father left him a 
large property in real and personal estate, including several slaves ; 
this property he contrived to spend, and d. poor, about 1800. This 
branch of the Locke family became extinct. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



121 



1-8- 



3-11- 



11-33 
M 

35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 

3-14- 



14-44 

45 
46 
47 
48 
49 
50 

5-20- 



20-51 
52 

53 

54 
55 
50 



Ebenkzer Lockk in. Oct. 18, 1697, Susannah Walk.r of Wo 
She d. June 13, 1790, and he ni. Oct. 14, 1701, Hannah Mt-ad dan' 
of David and Hannah of Canib. He d. Doc. 24, 1723, atrcdl9; .she 
d. July 24, 1739, aged iiS. He resided on his father's homestead. 

\Ebenezer, b. April 28, 1699; m. IMary Merriam. 

Samuel, b. Aug. 24, 1702; ni. ]\Iarch '2, 1730, Rebecca Richardson. 

Josiah, b, March 15, 1705. lie resided in Woburn. 

Joshua, b. Aug. 21, 1709. He was twice m. and resided in Woburn, 

Southboro', and Westboro'. 
Nathan, h. March 30, 1713; d. 1723. 
Hannah, h. April 11, 1716; m. 1739, Asa Richardson. 



William Locke m. Mary , who d. Feb. 21, 1711, aged 21 ; 

he m. second, Jemima Russell, dau. of Philip Russell. He resided 
in the second precinct of Wo. which was incorporated as Burlington, 
1799 ; but that portion of his farm on which his house stood, was the 
same year annexed to Lex. This is the place situated on ]>owcll 
street, before spoken of. He owned the covenant at Lex. Sept. 9, 
1716. He d. Jan. 20, 1767, aged 83, and she d. Nov. 16, 1782, 
aged 90. 

A son, b. andd. March 1, 1710. 

A dau. b. ; d. Feb. 21, 1711, mother d. same time. 

Maiy, b. Sept. 7, 1716; m. April, 1746, Joseph Perry. 
Jemima, b. July 4, 1718; m. Oct. 28, 173(), Ebenczer Rrooks. 
^William, h. Feb. 2, 1721 ; m. 1747, (irace Newell. 
\Thonias, h. Oct. 27, 1722; m. June 27, 1751, Rebecca Lawrence. 

Jonas, h. Jan. 13, 1727 ; m. Dwight. 

Joseph, b. April 23, 1729 ; m. Mary Ayres. 

Ebenezer, b. Nov. 3, 1732 ; was twice niarried. 

Joanna, b. Feb. 27, 1735; m. Oct. 10, 1753, Phineas Rlodgett. 

Abigail, b. Feb. 5, 1737; m. Sept. 4, 1755, Jonathan Fiske. 



Ebenezer Locke m. Elizabeth 
nant in Lex. April 20, 1717 



— . They owned the cove- 
He probably resided in Wo. though 



they attended meeting in Lex. where their children were baptized. 

Ebenezer, bap. April 28, 1717; d. March 22, 1720. 
Elizabeth, bap. June 19, 1720; m. 1747, Ebenezer Merriam. 
Sarah, bap. Aug. 11, 1723; m. Oct. 11. 1744, Timothy Wyman. 
Hannah, bap. June 13, 1725; m. 1746, Timothy Newton. 
Abigail, bap. April 28, 1728. 

Phebe, bap. March 7, 1731 ; m. Ebenezer Merriam, Jr. 
Ebenezer, bap. March 2, 1735; m". Feb. 27, 1759, Lucy Wood. 



Joseph Locke m. Sarah 



who d. Mav 28, 1777; he d. 



Jan. 13, 1785, aged 86. He resided in Lex. on his fatlier's home- 
stead, in the west half of the house. He served in the French war, 
1754. 

\Joseph, b. March 28, 1734, m. May 7, 1761, Sarah Baldwin. ^ 
Benjamin, b. Oct. 10, 1735 ; d. of disease contracted in the French 

war, Nov. 12, 1755, aged 20. 
Nathan, b. Dec. 2, 1737 ; d. May 19, 1761, aged 24. 
\Amos, b. Dec. 24, 1742 ; m. Oct. 19, 1709, Sarah L6cke. 
Sarah, b. Aug. 23, 1746; m. Dec. 21, 1769, Jer. Harrington. 
Marij, b. May 31, 1749 ; m. April 20, 1769, Isaac Blodgett, who d. 

July, 1830, aged 88. 



122 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



5-26- 



26-57 
58 
69 



60 
61 



i-27- 



11-37- 



37-62 
63 
6i 



65 



66 

67 
68 
69 
70 



11-38- 



38-71 
20-51- 



51-72 



Stephen Locke m. Mehitabel Raymond, dau. of Jonathan of 
Lex. He d. April 22, 1772, aged 63, and his wid. d. Oct. 29, 1815, 
aged 94. They resided in Lex. 

Mehitabel, b. Aug. 17, 1747. She was living in Lex. in 1773. 

\Reuben, b. March 16, 1749; m. Jerusha Richardson. 

Stephen, b. March 29, 1750 ; m. 1780, Sally Hopkins ; went to Deer- 

ing, N. H. 
Elizabeth, b. June 14, 1753; d. unm. 1816. aged 64. 
\Bevjamin, b. May 7, 1756; m. Aug. 10, 1784, Betsey Wyraan. 



Ebenezer Locke m. Mary Merriam, dau. of Thomas and Mary 
Merriam. In 1715, when he was sixteen years of age, "he of his 
own free will and accord put himself apprentice to Joseph Loring of 
Lex., house carpenter and joiner, to learn his art, trade, or mystery 
after the manner of an apprentice." At the close of the indentures 
is this memorandum: "It is to be understood y' y^ said apprentice 
is bound to Lydia Loring, y'' now wife of y" above said Joseph 
Loring, and she to him in all things to be performed what is above 
written." He had land in Townsend and Ashby. He moved first to 
Hopkinton, where he had three children bap., and from thence to 
Oxford about 1738. 



William Locke m. 1747, Grace Newell of Camb. They resided 
in Lex., and perhaps for a short time in Wo. and Walt. He was a 
soldier of the Revolution ; was in the battles of Ticonderoga and 
White Plains, and d. in the army in 1776, aged 66. His wid. at one 
time resided at Walt., but at a later period with her son Jonas at 
Lex., where she d. Dec. 31, 1790, aged 63. She was burled in the 
grave-yard at East Lexington. 

Mary, bap. at Lex. June 12, 1748; d. young. 

William, b. ; d. young. 

William, b. ; was a soldier in the Revolution for several 

years ; was like his father in the battles of Ticonderoga and White 

Plains, and at other places, and d. in the army after 1779, unm. 
Edmund, b. ; was in the army of the Revolution nearly all 

through the war, and d. at Lex. of disease contracted in the army, 

May 16, 1786, unm. 

Jemima, b. ; d. Sept. 6, 1781, unm. 

Mary, b. Aug. 1759; d. unm. 1848, aged 89. 

Nathan, b. March 2, 1762 ; m. June 21, 1785, Anna Bond. 

\Jonas, b. . He was three times married. 

Joshua, b. Aug. 1769. He was living at Walt., unm,, 1852. 



Thomas Locke m. June 27, 1751, Rebecca Lawrence, dau. of 
John of Wo. He d. Feb. 21, 1792, aged 70, and his wid. m. Jan. 
13, 1795, Noah Eaton, and d. March 14, 1814, aged 86. He was a 
carpenter, and resided on the old homestead, which was set to Lex.' 
He was in the army of the Revolution. 

\Thomas, b. Aug. 29, 1756; m. Nov. 5, 1778, Lydia Reed. 



Joseph Locke m. May 7, 1761, Sarah Baldwin of Billerica, who 
d. Feb. 19, 1824, aged 84. He d. April 27, 1791, aged 57. He 
resided in Lex. He was in the French and Indian war in 1756 and 
1760 ; was a sergeant in the last year. 

Nathan, b. Dec. 7, 1761; m. 1784, Mary Howard. She d. 1797; 
he d. 1800. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



123 



73 
74 

75 



76 



20-54- 



54-77 
78 
79 
80 

26-58- 



58-81 
82 
83 
84 
85 
80 
87 
88 



2C-61- 



61-89 
90 
91 
92 
93 
94 
95 
96 

37-69- 



\Asa Baldwin, b. Mar. 3, 17G4 ; m. :^^arv Wellington, Dec. 31, 178<j 
Sarah, b. May 27, 1766 ; m. May 12, 1789. Josiah Mead. 

Joseph, b. ; m. first, Martha Ingersoll, and setonil, wiiluw 

Mary Foster. 
Edwin, h. Sept. 13, 1771; m. Sept. 10, 1794, Matilda Trask. 



Amos Locke m. 1769, Sarah Locke. She was an orphan, whose 
true name is now lost, who was adopted and brought up by Tliomas 
Locke, whose name she took. He d. July 27, 182S, aged 87 ; she 
d. July 1835, aged 84. He resided in the norlli part of Lex., on the 
farm now owned by William I^ocke, on North street. He was one 
ofCapt. Parker's company, and met the British on tiie Connnon on 
the 19th of April, 1775, — for which he was prepared by service in 
the French war in 1762. 

\Benjamin A., b. Dec. 31, 1769; he was twice married. 
^Stephen, h. March 23, 1778; ra. April 11, 1804, Hetsey Nichols. 
James, h. Dec. 22, 1785; m. Feb. 26, 1811, Lucy Nichols. 
Amos, b. ; m. March 27, 1805, Joanna Greenleaf. 



Reuben Locke m. Jerusha Richardson, dau. of Reuben, who m. 
Esther Wyman. He d. Jan. 28, 1823, aged 74, and his wid. d. Nov. 
15, 1833, aged 88. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and 
was taken prisoner, and was confined in tlie ])rison at Forton, Fng. 
His farm was a part of that now owned by ^^ illiani Locke, on North 
street. 

Jerusha, b. Jan. 16, 1774; m. David Simonds, July 23, 1795. 
Mehiiahel, b. March 27, 1775; d. unm. Oct. 2, 184*1, aged 66. 
Lydia, b. March 23, 1777; d. unm. 

Betsey, b. Sept. 1, 1780; m. Jan. 25, 1798, James Wyman, Jr. 
Reuben, b. Jan. 15, 1782; ra. Feb. 2, 1804, Polly Wiley. 
\Loa, b. June 5, 1783; m. IShirch 15, l.'-Oo, Mary Foster. 
\Gharles, b. June 16, 1786; m. Abigail Nichols, Dec. 8, 1812. 
Stephen, b. Sept. 27, 1791 ; m. Sukey Wiley ; resided in Reading, 



Benjamin Locke ni. Aug. 10, 1784, Betsey Wyman, dau. of Reu- 
ben of Wo. He resided at Burlington and Lex. most of his life ; 
afterward in Boston, where he d. June 4, 1842, aged 85. His wile 
d. in ]^ex. Oct. 1, 1831, aged 70. He was one of the heroes wlio 
encountered the British on the 19th of April, 1775. He was also in 
the detachment which marched to Camb. May 6, 1775, and likewise 
on the 17th of June of that year. 

Betsey, b. Feb. 10, 1785; m. 1805, Timothy Tileston, Jr. 

Benjamin, b. March 19, 1787; d. young. 

ButJi, b. June 6, 1790; m. June 6. 1811, Harvey Tileston. 

Liccy, b. Sept. 17, 1792; d. young. 

Benjamin, b. ]\Iay 17, 1795; m. Oct. 9, 1823, Susan Tileston. 

Lucy, b. Aug. 3, 1797; m. James Wallis of Camb. 

Levi, b. Dec. 1, 1798; m. Dec. 1, 1829, Susan Simonds. 

Lustha, b. Jan. 26, 1802; m. Aug. 5. 1824, Lambert Maynard. 



Jonas Locke m. Dec. 21, 1781, Sarah Russell, dau. of Philip and 
Lydia (Dodge) Russell. She d. and he m. second, Nov. 2, 18(10, 
Eunice Winship. She d. Sept. 29, 1825, aged 68, and he m. third, 
wid. Deborah Blodgett, Feb. 28, 1828. He resided in Lex where 
he d. Aug. 23, 1833, aged 71. Like his father and his brothers be 
was a patriot and soldier of the Revolution ; he served about lour 
years. 



124 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



09- 97 

98 

99 

100 

101 
102 



38-71- 



71-103 
104 
105 
106 

107 
108 
109 
110 



51-73- 



73-111 



112 
113 
114 
115 



116 



54-77- 



77-117 
118 
119 



54-78- 



Jonas, bap. April 28, 1782 ; m. Sept. 26, 1807, Abigail White of 

Westminster. 
William, bap. May 25, 1783 ; m. Mary Welch of Boston ; r. in 

Newton. 
Salhi, bap. April 9, 1786 ; m. March 8, 1808, Eli Whitney. She 

d.'l847. 
Lydia, bap. June 3, 1792 ; ra. May 29, 1817, Emory Whitney. They 

resided first at Wat. then at Le Koy, N. Y. 
Martin, bap. Aug. 1. 1799. 
Edmund, b. ; d. unm , aged about 21. 



Thomas Locke m. Nov. 5, 1778, Lydia Reed, dau. of Hammond 
Reed. She was b. July 14, 1760, and d. Sept. 7, 1825, aged 05; 
and he d. April 20, 1819, aged 63. They resided on the old Locke 
Place, which was set to Lex. from Burlington. 

Lydia, b. March 8, 1779 ; ni. Timothy Temple ; lived in Providence. 
Lury, b. March 4, 1781 ; m. Amos Hills of Hudsoti, N. H. 
Beh'ecca, b. March 25, 1784; m. Oct. 1, 1820, Thaddeus Munroe. 
Thomas, h. Nov. 5, 1786; m. April 27, 1813, Lucy Rhodes. He d. 

Nov. 2, 1829, aged 43. She is living. 
\Hammond, b. July 13, 1790; m. Jan. 27, 1814, Rebecca Nevers. 
Sally, b. May 21, 1752; m. 1820, Abel Fitz. 
Nancy, b. Aug. 20, 1794 ; ni. April 8, 1827, John Winning. 
Harriet, b. May 10, 1800; d. April 6, 1809. 



Asa Baldwin Locke m. Mary Wellington, Dec. 31, 1789. He 
d. Nov. 25, 1821, aged 57, and his wid. m. Abijah Harrington, Dec. 
14, 1823. 

Oliver, h. April 25, 1790; m. April 1, 1816, Joanna Jacobs. He 
was a captain in the militia, and was killed Oct. 1825, by the acci- 
dental discharge of a gun in the hands of an intimate friend. His 
wid. m. Nov. 28, 1832, William Smith. Capt. Locke had Faus- 
tina Mvlliken, b. Au-g 24, 1819, m. Dec. 3, 1846, David A. Gage, 
and d. Dec. 4, 1850; and Joan Sophia, b. Oct. 3, 1825, m. June 
16, 1852, Eli F. Davis. 

Nathan, b. Aug. 1792; d. 1806. 

Darius, b. Dec. 1, 1793 ; d. 1808. 

Mary, b. ; m. Feb. 21, 1822, William Burgess. 

Baldwin, h. Jan. 10, 1805 ; m. Adeline Josline, Nov. 18, 1830. He 
had si.\ children ; Oliver B., b. Sept. 17, 1831, William B., h. 
Aug. 13, 1833. Lorenzo, h. Sept. 2, 1835, Samuel J., b. Aug. 25, 
1837, Martha W., h. April 19, 1839, Mary, h. Oct. 21, 1841. 

Abigail, b. Nov. 15, 1806; m. July 30, 1837. 



Benjamin Amos Locke m. Betsey Lawrence 1808. She d. March 
16, 1822, andhem. June23, 1823, Sally Marrett. He r. in Lex., on 
School street. He d. Oct. 19, 1829, aged 61. She d. Sept. 4, 1863. 

Sarah Elizabeth, b. Feb. 3, 1824; m. Jan. 1, 1849, Jeduthan Rich- 
ardson. 

Benjamin F., b. July 3, 1825 ; ra. Oct. 31, 1849, Anne E. Hill. He 
has several children. 

Albert A., b. Aug. 8, 1828. He left Lex. a few years since, and is 
in South America. 



Stephen Locke m. April 11, 1804, Betsey Nichols, dau. of Capt. 
Noah Nichols of Cohasset. He d. May 10, 1839, aged 61. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



125 



78-120 
121 

122 
123 
124 



54-79- 



79-125 
126 
127 

128 



58-86- 



86-129 
160 
181 
132 

133 
134 



58-87- 



87-135 

136 

137 

138 
139 



71-107- 



jWillimn, b. Sept. 2, 1805; m. Nov. 5, 1838, irarri.>t Locke 
Stephen, b. Feb. 18, 1807; m. 1832, Priscilla Wellington 

d. 1861. " 

Nichols, b. Mareh 20, 1810; m. Jan. 5, 183S, lilooniv Davis. 
\Amos, b. Sept. 30, 1813; m. May 31, 1834, Illioda Blodgett. 
Elizabeth, b. Feb. 15, 1823; d. Oct. 18, 1826. 



lit 



107-140 
141 
142 
143 

144 
145 
146 



James Locke m. Feb. 26, 1811, Lucy Nichols, dau. of Adna 
Nichols of Lex. He d. April, 1848. He resided on Grove etreet, 
near the Ebenezer Simonds place. 

Sally, h. April 29, 1811 ; m. Thomas C. Gould, Nov. 8, 1832. 

James Adna, b. Sept. 18, 1814; d. April 6, 1S17. 

James Adna, b. March 14, 1819; ni. Harriet Stearns, dau. of Amos 

Stearns; resides at Charlestown. 
Benjamin, b. Dec. 7, 1821 ; ni. March 11, 1856, Mary II. Skilton, 

dau. of Horace and Fanny (Harrington) Skilton. He resides in 

Charlestown. 



LoA Locke m. March 15, 1805, Mary Foster, who was b. Oct. 3, 
1784. He d. Dec. 4, 1865, aged 82 ; she d. Jan. 21, 1851, aged 66. 

Loa, b. Oct. 12, 1805; resides at the South. 

Bomamts, b. Jan. 4, 1807 ; d. 1833, aged 26. 

Oenrge, b. April 21, 1811 ; m. Abby Smith Casey. 

Lydia, b. Dec. 26, 1813; m. Aug. 2, 1738, Ebenezer B. Tuck. 

They resided and d. in Croyden, N. H. 
Stephen, b. Oct. 24, 1816 ; m. Eliz. J. Casey, and r. in Sa.Konville. 
3Ia)'y Ann, b. Feb. 15, 1819; m. Oct. 1, 1843, Ebenezer Lakeman. 

He r. in Charlestown, and has several children ; the first, Lydia 

S., was b. in Lex. Aug. 11, 1844. 



Charles Locke m. Dec. 8, 1812, Abigail Nichols of Cohasset, 
who was b. Dec. 15, 1791. They reside in the northerly part of 
Lex. ; he was a deacon of the Baptist Church. 

Charles Burrell, b. Dec. 2, 1813; m. July 25, 1835, Lucy A. Crosby, 

resided in Boston, and d. about 1863. 
Lewis, b. Nov. 21, 1815; was twice m. ; went to California, where 

he d. Aug. 23, 1864. 
Abigail, b. April 22, 1817 ; m. Aug. 22, 1839, William M. Roberts. 

They reside at Weston. 
Elmira, b. Feb. 27, 1819; d. April 27, 1828. 
Elizabeth N., b. Nov. 15, 1828. 



Hammond Locke m. Jan. 27, 1814, Rebecca Nevers, dau. of 
Samuel and Ann Nevers of Bur. He resided on the farm of his 
ancestors in Lex. He was drowned July 15, 1843, aged b'i. 

A Daughter, b. March 5, 1815; d. same day. 

Harriet b. Jan. 22, 1817; m. Nov. 5, 1838, Wdliam Locke. 

Marshall H., b. Feb. 14, 1819; d. Feb. 7, 1822. 

Marshall H., b. Feb. 12, 182J ; m. Dec. 27, 1848, Lucy A. Wyman. 

He has moved to Somerville. 
Augusta B., h. March 14, 1824: m. Feb. 4, 1845, William Duren. 
^c/e/m«, b. June 14, 1826; m. Henry Mulliken. 
Theodore Lyman, h. Feb. •>-2, 1829 ; was killed at Charlestown, April 

16, 1851,' while riding in his wagon, by the falling of the steeple ot 

the Bunker Hill Baptist church, in a violent gale. 
74 



126 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



78-120- 



120-147 
149 

78-123- 



123-150 

151 
152 
153 



1- 2 
3 
4 



1-2- 



WiLLiAM Locke m. Nov. 5, 1838, Harriet, dau. of Hammond 
Locke. He resides in Lex., on the farm of the first Joseph Locke. 



Emily, b. May 3, 184 L 
Austin W., b. June 8, 1852. 



148 Jane, b. May, 1844. 



Amos Locke m. May 31, 1834, Rhoda Blodgett, dau. of James, 
b. May 6, 1813. 

Elizabeth Augusta, b. Aug. 16, 1835; m. Sept. 28, 1857, George F. 

Marvin. 
William ffenrrj, b. June 17, 1838 ; m. June 8, 1864, Helen F. Elliott. 
Warren Edgar, b. May 28, 1841 ; m. June 30, 1862, Eliza C. Dawes. 
Henrietta M., b. Aug. .27, 1842. 154 Gardner E., b. Nov. 10, 1851 . 



There was another family of Lockes in Lex. ; Micajah, son of 
Josiah of Wo., b. Dec. 4, 1786, m. Sept. 20, 1812. Almira Russell. 
He resided in the East Village, and d. Dec. 23, 1842 ; they had eight 
children ; Josiah, b. April 4, 1813, m. Sept. 20, 1841, Sarah Cotton ; 

Almira R., b. June 8, 1815, m. Jeremiah Evans, and Gould; 

Frances Ann, b. May 25. 1817, m. April 6, 1839, Loring Cummings ; 
Mary R., b. Jan. 31, 1819, m. Edward Divols ; JonatJian, b. Nov. 
20. 1820; Eliza S., b. Nov. 10, 1822, m. Dec. 5, 1845, Otis Locke; 
Rebecca A., b. Oct. 13, 1824; Amos R., b. Oct. 8, 1826; Susan A., 
b. April 8, 1829 ; Matilda L., b. Aug. 21, 1831 ; William M., b. Oct. 
27, 1833 ; George W., b. Aug. 21, 1836. This family mu.st generally 
have left town. 



THE LORTNG FAMILY. 

Dea. Thomas Loring and his wife Jane (Newton), came to this 
country 1635, and settled in Hingham. They were from Axminster, 
Devonshire, Eng. His son John, b. in Eng. Dec. 22, 1630, m. 
1657, Mary Baker of Hing., by whom he had several children. Jo- 
seph, his second son, was b. March 10, 1660. His descendants I 
give below, so far as they relate to Lex. 

Joseph Loring of Hingham m. Oct. 25, 1683, Hannah Leavitt. 
He d. Feb. 19, 1692, and she m. Aug. 25, 1693, Joseph Estabrook, 
then of Hingham, but afterwards of Lex., where he became a very 
prominent man. He d. Sept. 23, 1733, and she d. Oct. 25, 1728. 

^Joseph, b. Sept. 29, 1684. He settled in Lexington. 

Nehemiah, b. June 27, 1686. 

Joshua, b. Sept. 21, 1688. He came to Lex. with his brother Jo- 
seph, was ad. to the ch. in 1708, and dismissed to the First Church 
in Boston, June 8, 1712. 

Submit, b. Aug. 11, 1691 ; d. Jan. 8, 1740, unm. Mr. Hancock, in 
his church record, under date of Jan. 4, 1740, makes this entry: 
" Submit Loring I baptized after meeting at Mr. Loring's house, 
and this is the first I ever baptized in private. She was very sick," 



Joseph Loring m. Lydia Fiske, dau. of David Fiske of Camb. 
Farms, b. May 17, 1685. He probably came to Lex. from Hingham 
about 1706. He bought ninety acres of land in Camb. Farms, in 
1706, of John Poulter. The deed designates Joseph Loring as " of 
Hingham." In 1711, he was one of the subscribers for the purchase 
of the Common. He and his wife Lydia were ad. to the ch. July 4, 
1708; and of course they were m. before that time. He was chosen 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



127 



2- 6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

2-7- 



7-13 
14 

15 
16 
17 

7-15- 



one of the deacons in 1743, and d. July 4, 1746, aged 63. Slio d. 
Oct. 4, 1758. He was a valuable citizen; was constable in 1714, 
and town treasurer in 1725 and 1726. 

Lydia, bap. June 21, 1711 ; m. June 11, 1731, John Mason. 

\Joseph, bap. Aug. 21, 1713; m. Kezia Gove. 

Sarah, bap. July 17, 1715; m. Dec. 2, 1730, Thaddcus Bowman. 

Jo]m, bap. Aug. 11, 1717; d. Dec. 13, 1717. 

Hannah, bap. Sept. 20, 1719; ra. March 22, 1735, Samuel Winship. 

Ma?yf' \ t^^i"«' bap. Jan. 7. 1722; j ^ j^^ 3^^ ^^g^^ 5^^^,^ ^^^^^ 



Joseph Louing m. Jan. 1, 1736, Kezia Gove. He d. Sept. 13, 
1787, aged 74, and she d. Sept. 16, 1789, aged 75. He was chosen 
dea. May 20, 1756, and held that office thirty-one years. He was 
often employed on important committees in the town. He resided 
on Main street, on the place opposite the Town Hall. His house 
was pillaged and destroyed by the British on the I'Jth of April, 1775. 
The account made out by Deacon Loring at the time, shows the 
amount of his suffering, and the wantonness of the enemy. He sets 
down his loss as follows : 

A large mansion house and barn seventy feet long, and 
a corn barn, all burnt. 

Household goods and furniture, viz., eight good feather 
beds and bedding; a large quantity of pewter and brass 
ware ; three cases of drawers ; two mahogany tables, with 
furniture for eight rooms, 

All the wearing appartd of my family, consisting of nine 
persons, 

All my husbandry tools and utensils, with a cider mill 
and press, with five tons of hay and two calves. 

About two hundred rods of stone wall thrown down. 

Specie, 



£ 330 00 

230 00 

60 00 

72 00 
5 00 
3 00 



£ 720 00 
N. B. The above-mentioned buildings were the first that were 
destroyed in the town, and were near the ground where the brigade 
commanded by Lord Percy met the detachment retreating under 
Lt.-Col. Smith. It does not appear that any of the militia were in 
or near these buildings, neither could they in any way either oppose 
or retard the British troops in their operations ; therefore the destruc- 
tion must be considered as brutal, barbarous, and wanton. 

Joseph Loring. 

John, b. June 28, 1742 ; m. June 8, 1765, Elizabeth Howe of Con. 
Lydia, b. Aug. 27, 1745 ; m. Nov. 26, 1776, Capt. Wm. Chambers, 

\Joseph, b. Dec. 27, 1747 ; m. Nov. 26, 1772, Betsey Pollard of Bed. 

\jonathan, b. Feb. 7, 1749 ; was twice m. 

Sarah, b. Feb. 27, 1755 ; m. Obadiah Johnson^ 



Joseph Loring m. Nov. 26, 1772, Betsey Pollard of Bed. They 
were ad. to the ch. Feb. 27, 1774. He was one of Capt. Parker's 
companv, and also marched to Camb. on the memorable _l/th of 
June 1775. Subsequently he entered into the marine service with 
John' Chandler, Jr., and being on the Southern coast, under Com- 
modore Tucker, was included by Gen. Lincoln in the capitulation of 
Charleston, S. C. After remaining for some time a prisoner, durmg 



128 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



15-18 
19 

20 
21 
22 
23 

7-16- 



16-24 
25 
27 



which he suffered severely, he was exchanged, and, amid destitution 
and comparative nakedness, was compelled to beg his way home to 
Lex., amid the taunts and sneers of the tories. 

Betsey, b. April 15, 1774; m. Abel Smith, moved to Jaffrey, N. H. 
John Hancock, b. Nov. 24, 1775; m. Polly Penny, and removed to 

Groton, where he settled. 
Lydia, b. Feb. 8, 1779 ; in. Peter Harrington. 
Thomas, b. Feb. 15, 1782 ; d. a young man. 
Susy, b. June 30, 1784; m. Nathan Munroe of Concord. 
Joseph, bap. April 12, 1792. 

Jonathan Loring m. Rhoda . She d. Oct. 22, 1809, and 

he m. Feb. 13, 1812, Mrs. Hannah Danforth of Lex. He was a 
member of the gallant band commanded by Capt. Parker, and was 
upon the Common on the 19th of April. He was also with the de- 
tachment which marched to Camb. on the 6th of May, and also on 
the day of the battle on Bunker's Hill. He was also at Cambridge 
two months in the campaign of 1776. He not only performed his 
duty after the war had commenced, but he performed an important 
duty introductory to the affairs of the 19th of April. On the evening 
of the 18th, when it was known that certain British officers had gone 
up toward Concord, Jonathan Loring and two others volunteered 
to go up and watch their movements. He was taken pi-isoner 
and kept several hours, till on the return of these officers he was set 
at liberty near Lexington Common, about daylight in the morning. 
This family acted a conspicuous part on that memorable occasion. 
The church plate was kept at the house of Dea. Loring, and fearing 
that the British soldiers in their vandalism might destroy it, Lydia 
Loring, a sister of Jonathan, took the precaution to secrete it under 
some brush not far from the house, and so prevented it from being 
destroyed or carried off with the rest of the property of the family. 
He moved with his family to Mason, N. H. 

Lucy, bap. Oct. 8, 1786 ; m. Dec. 27, 1813, Levi Baxter. 
Bhoda, bap. Oct. 8, 1786. 26 Polly, bap. Nov. 22, 1789. 

Joshua, bap. Nov. 11, 1792. 28 TJiomas, bap. Oct. 23, 1796. 



MANN. — This name appears a few times on Lex. records. James 
Mann m. Sept. 29, 1736, Mary Simonds. He was taxed in Lex. 
1738, for both real and personal estate, and his name appears on the 
tax bill for a number of years. He was a soldier from Lex. in the 
French war, in 1759 and 1760. They had five children, viz., Mary, 
b. March 29, 1737, d. Nov. 4, 1738; Benjamin, bap. Nov. 4, 1739, 
probably went to Walt., where he had a family by his wife Martha; 
Sarah, b. Aug. 17, 1743; Joanna, b. April 12, 1747; Mary, b. 
1749, d. Dec. 23, 1764. 



THE MARRETT FAMILY. 

The Marretts were early in the country, though they did not come 
to Lex. till about 1770. 

Thomas Makrett is supposed to have come to New England in 
1635. He settled in Camb., where he was made a freeman in 1636. 
He was a dea. of the church. He m. Susan, in Eng., where John, 
the only child of whom wc have any knowledge, was b. Thomas d. 
June 30, 1664. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



129 



1- 2 



2- 3 

4 



2-10- 



10-13 
14 
16 



16 



John Marrett came to this country -with his father, an.l suc- 
ceeded to his estate. He probably m. alter lie came to this country 
His wife was Abifrail Eddeson, b. in Cheshire, Eng. His will, dated 
169G, mentions wife Abigail, sons Amos and Edward, and dau'. Han- 
nah and Mary. lie also makes mention of Abigail Rice and Susan 
Amsden, two married daughters. 

Thomas, b. about 1655 ; he was killed by the Indians at Sudbury, 
April 20, 1675, unni. 

Amos, b. 1657; m. Nov. 2, 1681, Betliia Langhorn. She d. Nov. 
20, 1730, aged 70, and he ni. second, Mrs. Ruth Dunster of Canib. 
He d. Nov. 17, 1739, aged 82, without issue. His will, dated April 
12, 1735, and proved Dec. 16, 1731), mentions wife Ruth, brother 
Edward, and sisters Abigail Crashhurn and Mary Hovcij. He 
makes his nephew Amos the principal heir of his estate, lie was 
dignified with the title o{ Lieutenant. 

Sicsan, b. June 19, 1659 ; m. Amsden. 

John, b. Jan. 29, 1661 ; d. Nov. 6, 1663. 

John, b. June 3, 1664 ; d. at sea, unm. 

Abigail, b. Aug. 6, 1666; m first, Rice of Sudbury, and sec- 
ond, Crashhurn. 

Hannah, b. Aug. 17, 1668; m. Samuel Hastings of Cambridge. 

\Edicard, b. Aug. 2, 1670; m. Hannah Bradish. 

Mary, b. March 7, 1672 ; m. Dec. 10, 1702, Joseph Hovey of Camb. 
He d., and she m. Nathaniel Parker of Newton. 

Lydia, b. Feb. 22, 1674 ; d. young. 



Edward Marrett m. Hannah Bradish of Camb. She d. April 
9, 1754, in her 85th year, and he d. April 11, 1754, in his 84th year. 
Dying within two days of each other, they were buried the same day, 
in the same grave, and one monumental stone marks their resting 
place. 



Amos, b. 
John, b. 



d. aged about three years, 
d. in Boston of small pox, aged about 18. 



Susanna, b. 1698; m. Sept. 27, 1722, John Pierce of Boston. They 
moved to Stow, where he d. and she m. Samuel Witt of Marlbor- 
ough, a prominent citizen of that town, who represented them 
several years in the General Court. She d. in 1794, at the re- 
markable age of 96 years. 

Abigail, h. 1700; m. June 13, 1724, Judah INIonis, Hebrew Profes- 
sor of Harvard College. She d. Oct. 27, 1760, aged 60. He was 
an Italian by birth. After the death of his wife, he left his profes- 
sorship, went to Northborough, and lived with his brother-in-law. 
Rev. Mr. Martyn, where he d. His monumental stone bears an 
inscription so peculiar, that* I will transcribe it, poetry and all. 

Here lie buried the Remains of 

Rabbi Judah JNIonis, A. M. 

Late Hebrew Instructor 

at Harvard College in Cambridge, 

In which office he continued 40 years ; 

He was by birth and religion a Jew, 

But he embraced the Christian faith 

And was publicly baptized 

At Cambridge, A. D. 1722, 

And departed this life 

April 25, 1764, 

Aged eighty-one years, two months 

and twenty-one days. 



130 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



20 



10-17- 



17-21 

22 
23 
24 
25 
26 



17-24- 



24-27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 

24-27- 



27-34 



A native branch of Jacob see. 

Which once from off its olive broke, 

Regrafted from the living tree, Eom. 11 : 17, 24. 

Of the reviving sap partook. 

From teeming Zion's fertile womb, Isai. 66 : 8. 

As dewy drops in early morn, Psalm 110 : 3. 

Or rising bodies from the tomb, John 5 : 28, 29. 

At once be Israel's nation born. Isai. 66 : 8, 29. 



\Amos, b. Sept. 5, 1703 ; m. Mary Dunster. 

Hannah, b. ; m. Joseph Lawrence of Camb. 



Afterwards 



moved to Connecticut. 
Edward, b. ; m. Mary Wyatt, by whom he had five children ; 

one of them, Thomas, grad. H. C. 1761, and was a trader at Cape 

Ann. Edward m. as a second wife, Mrs. Susan Foster of Boston. 

He was a captain of a company in Camb. He d. Sept. 13, 1787. 
Mary, b. ; m. John Martyn of Boston. He was afterwards 

settled as a clergyman at Northborough. 



Amos Marrett m. Sept. 21, 1732, Mary Dunster, dau. of Henry 
Dunster of Camb. He d. Nov. 1747. 



; d. in infancy. 



Amos, b. — 

Abigail, b. Aug. 25, 1733; d. young. 

Ruth, b. April 30, 1735; d. in Newton, May 2, 1766, unm. 

\Amos, b. Feb. 4, 1738; m. Abigail Tidd of Lex. 

Manj, b. Aug. 20, 1740 ; d. 1754. 

John, b. Sept. 10, 1741 ; grad. H. C. 1763. He studied divinity, 
and was settled over the second parish of Wo. (now Burlington), 
Dec. 21, 1774. He m. Martha Jones, dau. of Rev. Thomas Jones, 
his predecessor in the same parish. Mr. Marrett had but one 
child who lived to grow up, viz., Martha, b. Nov. 3, 1783. She 
m. Jan. 1, 1818, Rev. Samuel Sewall, who succeeded her father 
as pastor of the parish. Mr. Sewall is a son of the late Chief Jus- 
tice Sewall, and is distinguished as an antiquary. 



Amos Marrett m. Dec. 14, 1760, Abigail Tidd, dau. of Daniel 
and Hepzibah (Reed) Tidd of Lex. He m. as of Cambridge, where 
he probably resided some five or six years after his marriage, when 
he moved to Lex. They were ad. to the Lex. ch., Sept. 15, 1771, 
from the First Church in Camb. He d. March 24, 1805, aged 66. 
He was a soldier in Capt. Parker's company in 1775, and was in the 
Jerseys three months the year following. 

]Amos, b, in Camb. Oct. 4, i763 ; m. Nov. 28, 1786, Patty Reed. 

Abigail, b. in Camb. June 4, 1765 ; m. Oct. 6, 1788, Jonathan Smith. 

\Daniel, b. in Camb. July 18, 1767 ; m. July 24, 1796, Mary Muzzy. 

Ruth, b. Nov. 12, 1768. 

Betsey, bap. Nov. 28, 1773 ; d. Nov. 3, 1797, aged 24. 

John, bap. July 9, 1775 ; d. Dec. 17, 1797, aged 22. 

Thomas, bap. July 20, 1777 ; d., a student in H. C, July 6, 1798. 



Amos Marrett m. Dec. 28, 1786, Patty Reed, dau. of Hammond 
and Betty (Simonds) Reed, b. Dec. 5, 1765. He d. Nov. 10, 1824, 
aged 61 ; she d. Oct 16, 1849, aged 85. 

Patty, b. Sept. 9, 1787 ; m. Jonas Cutler. They moved to West- 
minster, where they had three children, who are now residing in 
that town. Jonas Cutler and his wife are both dead. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



131 



35 
556 
37 
38 
39 
40 
41 

42 



24-29- 



1- 2 
3 
4 

5 
6 

7 



1-5- 



5- 9 
10 
11 

5-9- 



Sally, b. Oct. 1, 1789; m. June 15, 1823, Benjamin Locke Jr 

Hannah, b. Dec. 24, 1792. 

Nahbij, h. Aug. 18, 1795; d. April 6, 1854, unni., arred 58. 

Betsei/, b. July 4, 1798 ; m. April 30, 1826, Amos Towne. 

Mary, b. March 18, 1801 ; m. April 1, 1827, Joel Adams. 

John, h. Oct. 17, 1803 ; d. 1858, unm. 

Emily, b. Dec. 26, 1806 ; m. Nov. 17, 1830, King George. Surely 

this was a royal alliance. 
Harriet, b. Sept. 13, 1809 ; m. April 22, 1842, Ivory Sanborn. They 

have had several children. No record. 



Daniel Marrett was graduated at H. C. 1790, and was ordained 
as minister in Standish, Me., Sept. 21, 1796. He m. July 24, 1796, 
Mary Muzzy, dau. of William and Lydia (Reed) Muzzy of Lex. 
She d. and he m. second, Oct. 8, 1810, Dorcas Hastings, dau. of 
Samuel and Lydia Hastings of Lincoln. He d. 1836. 



9-12 
13 



THE MASON FAMILY. 

The Masons have never been very numerous in Le.x., though they 
occupied for a time a highly respectable position in town. 

Hugh Mason of Wat. was one of the first settlers of that town, 
where he enjoyed in a high degree the confulence and esteem of his 
fellows. He was ad. freeman in 1635, and represented the town ten 
years, from 1644 to 1677. He was selectman two years, between 
1639 and 1678. He was also appointed by the General Court a com- 
missioner to try " small causes." He d. Oct. 10, 1678, aged 73. 

Hannah, b. Sept. 23, 1636 ; m. Oct. 17, 1657, Joshua Brooks, Con. 

Ruth, b. ; d. Dec. 17, 1640. 

Mary, b. Dec. 18, 1640 ; m. May 20, 1668, Rev. Joseph Estabrook 

of Concord. 
\John, b. Jan. 1, 1645; ra. Elizabeth Hammond. 
Joseph, b. Aug. 10, 1646 ; ad. freeman 1690; d. July 22, 1702. 
Daniel, b. Feb. 19, 1649 ; grad. H. C. 1666. 
Sarah, b. Sept. 25, 1651; m. May 20. 1668, Capt. Andrew Gardner 

of Brookline. He was lost in the expedition to Canada, 1690. 

John Mason m. Elizabeth Hammond, dau. of Lieut. John and 
Sarah Hammond of Wat. She d. Nov. 13, 1715; he d. about 1730. 

\John, b. Jan. 22, 1677 ; m. Elizabeth Spring. 

Daniel, b. • He was a farmer in Newton. 

Elizabeth, b. ; m. Thomas Brown, innholder, Boston. 



John Mason m. Oct. 18, 1699, Elizabeth Spring, dau. of Lieut. 
John and Hannah Spring of Wat. He came to Lex. about the time 
of his marriage. In seating the meeting house in 1699, "John Ma- 
son was plast in y'^ second seat in y*^ front gallereye." He and his 
wife were ad. to the ch. Dec. 19, 1708. He was one of the assessors 
in 1702, and a subscriber for the purchase of the Common in 1711, 
and was constable in 1714. He was town clerk 1720, '31, '34, '35, 
and '36, and selectman about the san)e period. His name upon the 
record is also dignified by the title o[ Ensign. He lived on the Main 
street, a little below the old Munroe Tavern, and hence the name of 
"Mason's Hollow." 

]John, b. Aug. 8, 1701 ; m. June 17, 1731, Lydia Loring. 
Elizabeth, b. Aug. 30, 1703. 14 Millicent, b. April 24, 170o. 



132 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



9-12- 



12-22 
23 

24 

2.) 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 



32 



12-25- 



25-33 
U 

12-31- 



TJiaddeus, b. Dec. 27, 1706 ; grad. H. C. 1728 ; clerk of the court ; 

d. 1802. 
Jonas, b. Oct. 21, 1708. 

Katharine, b. Aug. 5, 1710; d. in Holliston, May 7, 1733. 
Esther, b. Jan 2, 1713; d. Aug. 3, 1713. 
Sarah, h. June 7, 1714; m. Jan. 3, 1733, William Munroe, son of 

William, Jr. and Mary. He d. Aug. 18, 1747, and she m. second, 

Francis Bowman, Esq., in 1748. 
Mercy, b. Nov. 12, 1716; d. Nov. 30, 1717. 
Sa7nuel, b. Oct. 9, 1720. 



John Mason m. June 17, 1731, Lydia Loring, dau. of Dea. Jo- 
seph and Lydia Loring. He d. Jan. 20, 1787, aged 87 ; she d. Feb. 
18, 1790, aged 80. He was selectman in 1765. 

Lydia, b. March 31, 1732: d. unm. April 24, 1813, aged 82. 
Katharine, b. Oct. 29, 1733 ; m. April 23, 1754, Daniel Edes of 

Charlestown. 
John, b. April 9, 1735. 

\Joseph, b. July 29, 1736 ; m. Elizabeth Peak. 
Jonas, b. March 2, 1738; m. March 23, 1762, Submit Whittemore. 
Elizabeth, b. June, 1739; d. young. 
Sarah, bap. Oct. 26, 1740. 

Hannah, bap. Sept. 6, 1747; m. a Mr. 0till of Watertown. 
Samuel, bap. May 14, 1749. 
\Daniel, ^ ^ bap. July 21, 1751; m. June 6, 1793, Sarab 

> twins, ■? Cheney of Newton. 
Elizabeth, ) ( bap. July 21, 1751. 



Joseph Mason m. Oct. 19, 1769, Elizabeth Peck. He was in 
the French war 1762, and was one of the gallant band which met the 
British on the Common at the opening scene of the Revolutionary 
drama. He was town clerk from 1770 to 1790. He d. Oct. 3, 1814, 
aged 78, and she d. Jan. 20, 1829, aged 87. He was somewhat 
noted as a school-master in his day. 

Mary, b. June 24, 1770; m. Daniel Underwood. 
John, b. Sept. 8, 1772 ; d. May 3, 1793, unm. 



Daniel Mason m. June 6, 1793, Mrs. Sarah Cheney of Newton. 
He resided near the rail road crossing on Woburn street. He died 
without issue. He belonged to the Spartan band which refused to 
lay down their arms on the 19th of April, 1775, not fearing " the 
Kinji's commandment." 



THE MEAD FAMILY. 

There is considerable difficulty in tracing the Meads. The first of 
the name appear to be migratory, and are found in different places. 
Savage informs us, that Gabriel Mead of Dorchester was made a 
freeman in 1638, and d. 1666, aged 79 ; that his will mentions seve- 
ral daughters, and that he had a son, Israel, b. 1639, who lived in 
Wat., moved to Dedham, and perhaps to Wo. Israel, probably son 
of the preceding, is sometimes spoken of as of Wo., and sometimes 
as of Camb., but it is undoubtedly the same person, and from him 
the Lexington Meads in part descended. » 

Israel Mead, sometimes of Camb., m. Feb. 26, 1669, Mary Hall, 
dau. of widow Mary Hall. He was appointed in Camb. in 1683, 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



133 



1- 2 

3 
4 
6 
6 

7 



1-2- 



2-10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
18 

1-3- 



3-19 
21 
23 

1-6- 



" viewer of wood." Whether he resided at that time in the old town 
or at tlio Farms, we are unable to say; but in 1G',);J, wlicn the North 
precinct was organized, he must have been within its territory, as ho 
was taxed for ministerial land purchased at that time. The saim- tax 
bill bears the name of his son, Thomas Mead. Israel Mead was one 
of th(! original members of the ch. organized IG'JO, and Thomas was 
ad. 1699. and his wife, Hasaniah, was admitted in August of tlic same 
year. During the same season two of Thomas's children, Hannah 
and Sarah, were bap. The record of Israel's wife's death is among 
the first of the obituaries on the parish records, being Sept. 1, KJ'J-J. 
Israel was one of the committee to seat the gallery of the meeting 
house in 1700. He d. Sept. 6, 1714. His will, dated April 2, 1713, 
and proved Sept. 20, 1714, mentions particularly sons Tiiomas, John, 
Stephen, and Kbenezer, and dau. Margaret Locke, Mary, and Ruth. 
He also makes a betpiest to four graniJchildren, — the oldest child of 
Thomas, John, Stephen, ami Margaret Locke. lie also remembera 
his faithful spiritual teacher. " 1 give to Mr. John Hancock, the rev- 
erend pastor ol the church of Christ in Lexington, twenty shillings." 

\TJw7nas, h. about 1670. 

\Juhn, b. al)out 1672. 

Hannah, b. about 1674; d. Jan. 28, 1702. 

Margaret, b. Jan. 20, 1676; m. Joseph Locke, as his second wife. 

^Stephen, h. about 1679 ; lived and d. in Concord. 

Mary, b. Feb. 10, 1682. 

Buth, b. Aug. 10, 1684; probably d. Nov. 3, 1726, unm. 

Ebenezer, b. May 11, 1686. 



Thomas Mead m. Hasaniah . He was in the North pre- 
cinct in 1693, and he and his wife were ad. to the ch. in 1699. In 
1700, when they " seated the meeting house," he had a seat assigned 
him in the " front side galery." He was constable in 17U4 and in 
1714. It is doubtful whether any of his sons, except Israel and Cor- 
nelius, lived permanently in Lex., as we do not hud their names upon 
the tax bills extant. 

Hannah, bap. May 8, 1699 ; d. 1723. 

Sarah, bap. May 8, 1699. 

Thomas, bap. Sept. 1700; probably went to Littleton. 

Jonathan, bap. Sept. 6, 17U2. 

\lsrael, bap. Aug. 16, 1704; m. Sarah . 

\Samuel, bap. May 3, 1706; went to Harvard. 

Mary, bap. March 3, 1709. 17 James, bap. April 8, 1711. 

^Cornelius, bap. June 3, 1714; m. Hannah liadley. 



John Mead m. Rebecca . He probably moved to Weston. 

He owned the covenant in Lex. Feb. 23, 1707, when "John Mead, 
the first-born of John," was baptized. Rebecca was admitted to the 
ch. July 31', 1709. He probably left town soon after the birth of his 
children named below, as his liame is not found upon the tax bill 
in 1729. 



John, bap. Feb. 23, 1707. 
Lijdia, b. April 7, 1714. 
Rebecca, b. March 1, 1719. 



20 Joseph, bap. Feb. 13, 1709. 
22 Israel, b. Aug. 27, 1716. 
24 Hannah, b. Aug. 13, 1721. 



Stephen Mevd. The Lex. records give no information of him 
or his faniiU-. Bv the Probate records I learn that in 1717. Thomas 
Mead (No.'2 in this table) was appointed guardian of Joseph .Jleaa. 

7o 



134 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



2-14- 



14-25 
26 
27 

2-15- 



2-18- 



18-29 
30 
31 
32 



1- 2 
3 

4 
5 

1-3- 



3- 8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 



the only child of his brother Stephen, late of Concord ; and in 1734, 
Joseph Mead of Bedford settled with his uncle Thomas, his late 
guardian. 



Israel Mead m. Sarah . She d. June 22, 1745, aged 37, 

and he m. Mary Robbins, Feb. 21, 1751. He was ad. to the eh. 
March 28, 1742. 

Sarah, b. Aug. 14, 1732 ; m. Dec. 26, 1753, Nathan Pierce. 

Hannah, b. Jan. 3, 1734. 

John, b. June 2, 1745. 28 Mary, bap. Sept. 17, 1747. 



Samuel Mead was ad. to the ch. 1742, and dismissed to the ch. 
in Harvard, July 1, 1744, where he resided and had a family. Sam- 
uel, one of his sons, grad. H. C. 1787, studied divinity, and settled 
at Alstead, N. H. He d. 1822. William O. Mead of Belmont, a 
broker in Boston, is a son of Rev. Samuel. 



Cornelius Mead m. Oct. 15, 1751, Hannah Hadley. He d. 
1759, and his wid. administered upon his estate. 

Sarah, b. Sept. 20, 1753; m. Nov. 11, 1779, Thomas Jones of Con. 
Abner, b. Dec. 15, 1754. He served in the Revolutionary war. 
Benoni, b. May 1, 1756 ; d. Aug. 4, 1766. 
Susanna, b. Jan. 26, 1758. 



There is another branch of the Mead family, which should be kept 
distinct, though it is believed that they were all of the same original 
stock. 

David Mead of Camb., perhaps son of Gabriel, m. at Wat. Sept. 
24, 1675, Hannah Warren, and had David, Hannah, John, and prob- 
ably Hopestill, and other children. David admitted freeman 1683. 

Hannah, b. Sept. 1676. 

\ David, b. 1678; m. Feb. 5, 1708, Hannah Smith of Wat., where he 

settled. 
^Hopestill, b. 1681 ; ra. Aug. 22, 1707, Elizabeth Hastings. 
John, b. 1685. 6 Sarah, b. 1688. 7 Susanna, b. 1690. 



David Mead m. Feb. 5, 1708, Hannah Smith, dau. of Joseph and 
Hannah (Tidd) Smith. He settled in Watertown, (which then in- 
cluded Waltham,) probably near the line of Lex. In the record of 
a public meeting in Lex. Feb. 23, 1712, is this entry, — " David Mead 
of Watertown did request that he, paying twenty shillings, might be 
interested in the meeting house for himself and family. Voted in the 
affirmative " She united with the ch. in Lex. June 22, 1718, and in 
October of that year their first four children were bap. She d. ia 
childbed, Oct. 4, 1723. He d. in Walt. Feb.- 25, 1767, aged 89. 

Lydia, b. Dec. 1, 1710. 

Moses, b. Oct. 21, 1712; ad. to the ch. 1742. 

^Joshua, b. Nov. 9, 1715; m. March 24, 1750, Lucy Parker. 

\MaUhetv, b. Aug. 9, 1717 ; m. Martha Danforth. 

Susanna, b. Aug. 1, 1719; m. Dec. 14, 1738, Jacob Bigelow, Walt, 

Hopestill, b. Sept. 7, 1721 ; m. March 13, 17.50, Sarah Pierce, Walt. 

David, b. Sept. 23, 1723; m. Oct. 16, 1747, Mary Bond, settled in 

Line. He and his wife were ad. to the ch. in Lex. June 19, 1748, 

and dismissed to Line. April 26, 1767. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



135 



1-4- 



4-15 
3-10- 



10-16 
17 
18 



HoPESTiLL Mead m. Aug. 22, 1707, Elizabeth Hastings. He d. 
Aug. 9, 17.50, aged 69. In his will, dated Aug. 7, 17.^0, and proved 
Sept. 24, 17.50, he mentions wife Elizabeth, kinsman Benjamin Hast- 
ings, dau. Abigail Jennison, grandson Josiah Jennison. He makes 
Joshua Mead of Waltliain, whom he designates as his kinsman, exec- 
utor of his will. As he mentions no child but Ahifjail, and looks 
among his kinsmen for heirs, it is probable that he had no other ehild 
living at that time. Though he probably lived within the limits of 
Waltham, his associations were with Le.x., and he attended church 
here. He was ad. to the ch. in Lex. Sept. 12, 1742, and was dis- 
missed to Waltham, Sept. 1, 1750. 

Abigail, bap. Aug. 30, 1713 ; m. Oct. 23, 1729, Nathaniel Jennison. 



3-11- 



11-22 
23 
24 

25 
26 

27 

11-25- 



25-28 
30 
32 
34 
36 

11-26- 



JoSHUA Mkad m. March 24, 1750, Lucy Parker, dau. of Andrew 
and Sarah (Whitney) Parker, b. April 4, 1731. They were ad. to 
the ch. Dec. 8, 1751. Though Joshua Mead united with the ch. in 
Le.x., and a part of his children were bap. here, he resided within 
the limits of Waltham. 

Lncij, bap. Jan. 19, 1752; d. December of the same year. 
Mary, b. May 1, 1753; ra. Dec. 3, 1772. Abraham Whitney. 
Moses, b. Dec. 2, 1754; m. May 22, 1777, Lizzy Viles. He was in 

the Revolutionary war. 
Lydia, b. May 17, 1756 ; m. June 1, 1775, Joseph Adams of Newton. 

Elijah, b. Sept. 30, 17.58 ; m. Abigail . 

Jacob, b. Oct. 30, 1760; d. 1816. 



Matthew Mead m. Jan. 23, 1754, Martha Danforth of Billerica. 
He was ad. to the ch. 1742, and d. April 1, 1796, aged 78; she d. 
Aug. 8, 1792, aged 63. He resided near the town hall, where Mr. 
Russell now resides. His house was ransacked by the British, April 
19, 1775. He was frequently elected to office, as constable, school 
committee, and tythingman. 

Ward, b. Dec. 16, 1755. 

Martha, b. Aug. 10, 1756 ; d. young. 

Rhoda, bap. July 9, 1758 ; m. Sept. 13, 1786, Philemon Munroe, as 

his second wife. 
\Levi, bap. Aug. 14, 1759 ; m. Betsey Converse. 
\Josiah, b. Oct. 18, 1761 ; m. Sally Locke. 
Ellas, bap. May 29, 1763 ; d. June 1, 176o. 



Levi Mead m. Betsey Converse of Bed. They were ad. to the 
ch May 30, 1784. He served in the war of the Revolution, and was, 
in 1796, a captain in the militia. He moved with his family, about 
1801, to Chesterfield, N. H. 



29 Joseph, b. 



-; d. young. 



Levi, bap. Aug. 8, 1784, -- - ■■ , ^k *' la "i-o-f 
[james, b. Oct. 26, 1788. 31 Bradley bap Oct. 18, 1/92. 
Larkin, bap. Oct. 18, 1795. 33 Elias, bap. March 17, 1/99. 
Marshall, b. in Chesterfield, N. H. 
Betsey, b. in Chesterfield, N. H. 



JosiAH Mead m. May 12, 1789, Sally Locke, dau of Joseph and 
Sarah (Baldwin) Locke, b. May 27, 1766. He d. July o, 1829, aged 
68- she d. Sept. 2, 1839; aged 73. He was a trader m the town, 
and occupied the place where Mr. Saville now trades. 



136 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



26-36 

37 

38 
39 
40 
41 



1- 2 
3 
4 
6 

1-2- 



2- 6 



9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 



1-4- 



Clarissa, b. June 10, 1790 ; m. Nov. 30, 1815, Nathaniel Harring- 
ton. She d. 1866. 

Maria Howard, b. June 12, 1792 ; m. Dec. 7, 1821, Nathan Chandler. 
She is living in Lex. in her 76th year. 

Sally, bap. April 13, 1794 ; d. in infancy. 

Martha J., b. June 6, 1797; m. Feb. 1, 1824, Nathan Harrington. 
She d. June 26, 1835, leaving two children. 

Sally, bap. Feb. 22, 1801 ; ra. Oct. 11, 1821, James Hastings of Line. 
They are both living in Lex. 

Franklin, bap. Aug. 23, 1803 ; d. Oct. 1805. 

The name of Mead has become extinct in Lex. In the early 
records the name is often spelled with an s. Meads, though in later 
years the s has been dropped. 



THE MERRIAM FAMILY. 

The Merriams were very numerous in Lexington during the first 
seventy-five years of her history. They came from England, and 
settled in Concord, where they were among the prominent families. 
Shattuck, in his history of Concord, tells the old story, which he 
thinks may be true in this case, of three brothers coming over to- 
gether, Robert, George, and Joseph. Robert was town clerk in 
Con. for a long period, and also a representative. He d. without 
issue, Feb. 15, 1681. George m, and had a family; but Joseph was 
the ancestor of the Concord families. The descendants of Joseph 
constituted the Lexington Merriams. The imperfect records render 
it impossible to trace this family with entire accuracy. 

The Merriams from this stock became numerous in several towns 
in Worcester county, and in other parts of the State. 

Joseph Merriam took the freeman's oath, March 14, 1638. He 
d. Jan. 1, 1641. We have found no mention of his wife's name, and 
no full record of his children. 

] Joseph, b. , 1630 ; m. July 12, 1653, Sarah Stone. 

William, b. ; m. Sarah and moved to Lynn. 

\John, b. , 1639 ; m. Mary Cooper. 

Sarah, b. ; m. Oct. 14, 1658, William Hall. 



Joseph Merriam m. July 12, 1653, Sarah Stone, dau. of Dea. 
Gregory. He took the freeman's oath. May 22, 1651, and d. April 
20, 1677, aged 47. His tombstone is the oldest one in Concord. 
His wife survived him nearly thirty years, and d. Ap. 5, 1704, aged 71. 

Sarah, b. Aug. 2, 1654 ; m. Samuel Fletcher. 

Lydia, b. Aug. 3, 1656 ; d. Dec. 29, 1690, unm. 

\Joseph, b. May 25, 1658 ; d. May 31, 1727, in Lexington. 

Elizabeth, b. May 20, 1660; m. Isaac Wood. 

]John, b. May 30, 1662 ; d. 1736. 

Mary, b. June 4, 1664; m. Isaac Stearns. 

jRobert, b. Dec. 17, 1667; d. Feb. 11, 1717, in Lex. 

jThomas, b. 1672; m. Mary Haywood of Concord. 

Ruth, b. ; m. Nathaniel Stone. 

David, h. ; d. 1744, at Townsend. 



John Merriam m. Oct. 21, 1663, Mary Cooper at Concord. He 
was made freeman, May 12, 1675. She d. March 5, 1731, aged 85; 
he d. Feb. 2, 1704, aged 65. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



137 



4-16 1 John, b. Sept. 3, 1666. 



2-8- 



2-10- 



A)ma, b. Sept. 7, 1669; m. Aug. 9, 1692, Daniel Brooks. 
Nathaniel, b. Dec. 10, 1672. 19 Joseph, b. Aug. 2(t, 1677. 

Samuel, b. July 25, 1681. 

Ehenezer, b. ; m. Nov. 8, 1711, Elizabeth Brooks. 

Sarah, b, ; m. Edward Wheeler. 



10-25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 

2-12- 



12-32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 



Joseph Merriam m. Charity . Like his brothers, he was 

early at Cambridge Farms, and was a subscriber to the lirst meeting 
house in 1692, and in the following year was assessed in the first tax 
bill of the precinct; and hence was a resident there at the time, lie 
was not called so frequently to places of honor and trust, as some of 
his kinsmen, though lie was elected to the dignified ofHce of tything- 
man, which in that day was conferred upon none but the most respec- 
table citizens. He d. M.ay 'M, 1727. 

Ruth, bap. Nov. 6, 1698; d. April 20, 1749, unm. 
Joseph, bap. 1717; d. 1747. 



John Merriam m. 1688, Mary Wheeler of Con. What time he 
came to Camb. Farms, does not appear, but probably about the time 
of his marriage. His name is borne upon our earliest records, being 
a subscriber for the meeting house in 1692. He was one of the 
original members of the church in 1696, and was chosen deacon 
at that time. He became one of the most prominent men in the 
parish and in the town. He frequently represented the church in 
ecclesiastical councils. He was chosen an assessor in 1700 and 1711, 
under the parish organization ; and when the precinct was erected 
into a town, he was elected one of the selectmen, — an office to which 
he was often re-elected. He enjoyed, in a great degree, the confi- 
dence of his fellow citizens. He resided in the southwesterly part of 
the town. The record of his family is very imperfect; there being 
no account of any children from 1689 to 1701, though it is probable 
they had children during that period. He d. May 21, 1727 ; she d. 
Dec. 26, 1747, aged 75. 

Mary, b. Feb. 6, 1689. 

\Be7ijamin, bap. Jan. 1701 ; m. Mary . 

\Jo?ias, bap. Jan. 12, 1704; m. Abigail Locke, Oct. 3, 1728. 
Ebenezer, bap. May 30, 1706 ; he moved to Oxford about 1729. 
Joshua, bap. Feb. 22, 1708. 

WaUam, b. Sept. 1712; d. June 21, 1J35. , t. r .u 

jAmos, bap. July 25, 1715; m. Nov. 9. 1738. Hannah Danforth. 



Robert Merriam m. Abigail . He was a subscriber for the 

meeting house in Lex. in 1692; but probably was not a permanent 
resident, as he was not taxed in 1693 or 1696. In 1700, he was one 
of the assessors, and in 1711 was one of the subscribers for the pur- 
chase of the Common. He and his wife were ad. to the ch. in lbJ8. 
He d. Feb. 11, 1717, and she d. June 16, 1717. 

\Joseph, b. May 3, 1697; m. Mary Bruce of Weston. 

Abigail, b. Oct. 3, 1699. . 

Hannah, b. April 16, 1701; m. John Bruce, Oct. 9, 1718. 

Robert, b. July 15, 1703; d. 1713 

Jonathan, b. July 25, 1705; d. Feb. 20, 1/38. 

ife^eA:mA, b. May 30, 1707. 

Sarah, bap. July 2, 1710; d. July 8. 1713. 

ilfary, b. Dec. 11, 1712. r iv.c*«n 17T1 

Sarah, bap. July 2, 1716 ; m. Isaac Allen of ^\ eston, 1/39. 



138 



HISTOUY OF LEXINGTON. 



2-13- 



13-41 
42 
43 

44 
45 
46 



10-26- 



26-47 

48 

49 
60 

10-27- 



27-51 
52 
53 
64 
66 
67 
68 

10-31- 

31-59 
60 
61 
62 
63 
64 
65 
66 

12-32- 



Thomas Merriam m. Dec. 23, 1696, Mary Haywood of Concord. 
The record of his marriage speaks of him as of Cambridge ; but Lex. 
at that time was a part of Camb., and as he was one of the original 
members of the church formed in 1696, he was probably residing 
here at the time of his marriage. His wife was dismissed from Con. 
to the ch. in Lex. in 1698. Thomas Merriam and others were per- 
mitted to '* build a seat for their wives on the back side of the meet- 
ing house, from goodwife Reed's seat to the woman's stayers." He 
was a constable in 1716, and a selectman, 1718, '22, '25. He d, Aug. 
16, 1738, aged 66, and she d. Sept. 29, 1756, aged 81. The early 
Merriams all resided in the southwest part of the town. 

\Thomas, bap. April 21, 1700; m. Tabitha Stone. 

Lydia, bap. Aug. 1, 1703; m. Nathaniel Eaton, and r. in Reading. 

\Nathaniel, bap. Dec. 9, 1705 ; m. Esther Muzzy, dau. of Benjamin 

Muzzy.' 
Simon, bap. Nov. 28, 1708 ; d. Feb. 8, 1747. 
David, bap. Sept. 2, 1711 ; d. Dec. 15, 1743, in Townsend. 
Isaac, bap. July 11, 1714; m. and had two children, one of whom d. 

1740. He d. Sept. 1741. 



Benjamin Merriam m. Mary . He d. Aug. 28, 1773, aged 

74, and she d. Jan. 18, 1763. He was one who marched to the re- 
lief of Fort William-Henry in 1757. 

Mary, b. April 4, 1733. 

Elizabeth, b. March 10, 1735 ; m. June 22, 1758, Jonas Brown of 

Waltham. 
\Beiijamin, b. June 8, 1737 ; m. Feb. 28, 1762, Ginger Porter. 
Baron, b. Sept. 21, 1740; d. Jan. 3, 1741. 



Jonas Merriam m. Oct. 3, 1728, Abigail Locke, dau. of Dea. 
William of Wo. They were ad. to the ch. July 1, 1729. She d. 
Dec. 5, 1755, and he m. June 22, 1/58, Mrs. Sarah Winship. She d. 
March 15, 1773, and he d. July 23, 1776, aged 73. He filled several 
town offices, and was treasurer in 1747. 

John, b. July 28, 1729. 

\William; bap. Dec. 17, 1732; m. Sarah . 

\Abraham, b. Dec. 23, 1734 ; m. Sarah Simonds. 

Silas, b.lMarch 5, 1737. 55 James, b. April 10, 1739. 

Abigail, b. June 11, 1741. 

Eunice, b. June 29, 1743 ; d. before 1746. 

Ebenezer, b. Nov. 2, 1745 ; d. Dec. 11, 1745. 



Amos Merriam m. Nov. 9, 1738, Hannah Danforth. He was ad. 
to the ch. April 4, 1736. 

Amos, b. Aug. 24, 1739. 

Jonathan, } u -m tc ^r^t S<i. Jan. 5, 1823, unm. 
TT r J. } b. May 16, 1/41 ; < ■, ' 

Hepzibah, ^ J > ^ d. young. 

Hannah, b. Feb. 9, 1744 ; m. James Townsend. 

Sarah, bap. April 20, 1746 ; m. William Lincoln. 

Lucy, bap. Sept. 4, 1748 ; m. William Whitcomb. 

Levi, b. Feb. 3, 1756 ; m. Abigail Fife. 

Abigail, b. March 31, 1758; m. Uriah Mores. 



Joseph Merriam m. Aug. 9, 1718, Mary Bruce of Weston. He 
and his wife were ad. to the ch. Sept. 13, 1719. He was constable, 
1738, and tythingman, 1741. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



139 



32-67 

68 
70 
71 
72 



73 



13-41- 



41-76 
76 

77 
78 
79 
80 



81 

82 
83 
84 

13-43- 



Josepli, bap. July 13, 1718; d. April 22, 1725. 

Elizabeth, b. June 13, 1721. 69 Abigail, b. 

Robert, b. 1725; d. June 11, 1729. 

Mary, bap. June 23, 1728. 

Beulah, b. Aug. 2, 1730; m. Aug. 7, 1757, John Chandler of Line., 

but afterwards of Lexington. 
Joseph, b. July 10, 1732. 74 Robert, bap. June 11, 1738. 

Thomas Merriam m. Tabitha Stone. He was ad. to the ch 
Aug. 2, 1721. She d. June 22, 17G0; he d. June 4, 1752. 

\Samuel, b. Dec. 21, 1723; m. June 4, 1752, Anna Whitney. 
'Nathan, b. April 7, 1725; ui. INIarch 26, 1755, Mary Ilosnier. 

Mary, b. June 15, 1727 ; in. David Whitney of Waltham. , 

Hannah, b. Aug. 7, 1729; d. Feb. 14, 17;)(». 

Thomas, b. Aug. 24, 1731 ; m. Sarah Wilder. 

Tabitha, b. May 10, 1733 ; ni. Nathan Whitney of Waltham. They 
moved to Westminster, and had Nathan, b. 1765 ; David, b. 1767, 
d. March 25, 1867, aged 99 years, 7 months, and 9 days ; and John, 
b. 1769; besides six other children, who d. young. 

Lydia, b. Oct. 28, 1734 ; m. March 27, 1755, Josiah Cutting of West- 
minster. 

Hepzibah, b. Feb. 24, 1737; d. Aug. 10, 1740. 

Elizabeth, b. July 27, 1738; m. Nov. 5, 1755, Moses Sawtell of Con. 

Eunice, b. June 30, 1740; d. April 27, 1741. 



Nathaniel IMerriam m. Esther Muzzy, dau. of Benjamin and 
Patience Muzzy. 



43-85 Esther, b. Oct. 23, 1734; m. Nov. 27, 1760, Samuel Jones. 
86 Nathaniel, b. April 16, 1737. 87 Mary, b. Oct. 3, 1739. 

Abigail, b. March 11, 1744; m. June 27, 1765, Bartholomew Rich- 
ardson of Woburn. 
89 Simon, b. Jan. 3, 1749. 90 Sarah, bap. Sept. 18, 1751. 



26-49- 



49-91 
92 
93 
94 
95 

96 

97 

98 

99 

100 

101 

27-52- 

52-102 
104 
106 



Benjamin Merriam, Jr., m. Feb. 28, 1762, Ginger Porter. He 
d. in Pelham, Feb. 1, 1806, aged 69 ; she d. March 7, 1817, aged 76. 

\R\ifus, b. Oct. 28, 1762 ; m. Jan. 12, 1785, Martha SImonds. 

Benjamin, b. March 23, 1764; d. March 22, 1817, aged 53, unm. 

Edith, b. Aug. 20, 1765 ; m. Feb. 5, 1787, Stephen Winship. 

Mary, b. July 5, 1767 ; m. Abiel Abbott of Lincoln. 

^7ma, b. June 10, 1769; m. Oct. 26, 1797, Thomas S. Caldwell, 
•who moved to Manchester, N. H. 

Qeorqe, b. May 7, 1771. He went into business in Boston, after- 
ward's went to Kentucky, from thence to Natchez, where he died. 

Rebecca, b. June 19, 1773; d. unm. March 10, 1835. 

Tryphena, b. Feb. '2b, 1775 ; m. Brooks, and moved to Farm- 

ington, Me. 

Phila, b. April 23, 1777 ; d. Aug. 5, 1778. _ 

Nathan, b. Oct. 3, 1780. He went to Louisiana, where he was tirst 
made'a sheriff, afterwards judge, then President of the Senate. 

William, b. • . He was a trader in Cambridgeport. 



"William Merriam m. Sarah 

William, b March 2.3, 1771. 
Jonas, b. Nov. 6, 1773. 
Sarah, b. Aug. 14, 1776. 



103 Jonathan, b. Aug. 25. 1772. 
105 Abel, b. March 13, 1775. 
107 Rebecca, bap. 1786. 



140 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



27-53- 



53-108 

no 

111 
112 
113 



41-75- 



75-114 
116 
118 
120 



49-91- 



91- 



-121 
122 
123 

124 
126 
127 



Abraham Merriam m. April 22, 1756, Sarah Slinonds. They 
were ad. to the ch. May 6, 1757. They afterwards moved to Wo,, 
where their last three children were born. 



Abraham, bap. May 29, 1757. 
Silas, b. Feb. 2, 1762. 
Sarah, b. at Wo. Oct. 10, 1766. 
Jonas, b. at Wo. July 31, 1769. 
Abigail, b. at Wo. May 13, 1771. 



109 Ezra, b. June 15, 1760. 



Samuel Merriam m. June 4, 1752, Anna Whitney. They were 
ad. to the ch. April 11, 1756, and were dismissed, Sept. 6, 1772, to 
the ch. in Westminster, to which place they had removed. 



Anna, b. Oct. 10, 1753. 
Samuel, h. March 25, 1757. 
Tabitha, bap. Dec. 28, 1760. 
Jonathan, bap. Feb. 22, 1767. 



115 Eunice, b. June 22, 1755. 
117 Buth, bap. Feb. 25, 1759. 
119 Nathan, bap. April 29, 1764. 



RuFUS Merriam m. Jan. 12. 1785, Martha Simonds, dau. of 
Joshua and Martha (Bowers) Simonds, who was b. Oct. 1, 1766. 
He d. May 7, 1847, and she d. May 8, 1849. He was the first post- 
master of Lex. He kept a public house for a long series of years. 

Martha, b. July 21, 1787 ; d. June 8, 1863, unm. 

Rufus, b. Sept. 11, 1789; he is living, in his 79th year. 

John Parkhurst, b. July 4, 1791 ; d. June 25, 1863, unm. He was 

interested in the militia, and rose to the rank of colonel. 
Eliza, b. Feb. 23, 1793. 125 Mary, b. Jan. 1, 1798. 

Emily, b. Aug. 16, 1800. 
Julia Ann, b. Oct. 12, 1804; m. Aug. 22, 1827, Rev Caleb Stetson. 



MILLS. — Samuel Mills of Dedham, b. 1622, was made freeman 
1645. His son, William, was b. 1682, and his grandson, John, was 
b. 1715. Oliver, son of John, was b. 1742, and Oliver, Jr., was b. 
1780. He was the father of Oliver P. Mills, now residing in Lex. 
He was b. in Boston, Sept. 8, 1810, m. Anna A. Adams of Lex., 
dau. of Samuel. They have had four children : Emily Ida, b. Sept. 
28, 1846, d. Sept. 29, 1847; Arthur Perry, b. April 15, 1848; Carl- 
ton Wadsworth, b. April 1, 1853 ; Grade Constance, b. Sept. 13, 1862. 



MITCHELL.- Patrick Mitchell was b. July 8, 1819, in the 
parish of Moor, county of Roscommon, Ireland. He was son of 
Daniel Mitchell. In 1834, Patrick, with his parents, came to this 
country and setted in Roxbury, where he remained till 1842, when 
he came to Lex. and established himself as a leather dresser. He m. 
May 6, 1845, Sarah A. Snow, dau. of Daniel and Rebecca (Abbott) 
Snow of Cavendish, Vt. They have had four children, Oliver, b. 
March 18, 1846; James Alpheus, b. Aug. 21, 1847, he was in the 
United States' service in the late rebellion ; Mary Rebecca, b. Jan. 
4, 1849, d. Sept. 16, 1856 ; Abbott Stanton, b. Nov. 21, 1860. 



THE MOORE FAMILY. 

There was a family by the name of Moore found on Lex. records 
about 1720. We have not ascertained the line of descent of this 
i'amily. The name was common in most of the early settlements. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



Ill 



1- 2 

4 
6 



Thomas Moore and liis wife Mary appi'ar hcCorc tin- cliunli in 
172-i, and had their (ii\st ciiild baji. He d. July I'J, 1707, and she d. 
Nov. 8, 1782, aged 81. 

Mary, b. July 5, 1724. 3 Thnmna, b. Sept. KK 172.'). 

Eiiz'ahetJt, b/Sept. 15. 1727. .'> Abif/ail, h. April Mit, 1729. 

Lydia, b. Jan. 18, 17:51 ; ni. May 22, 17.")."), Joim I'arki-r, wlio rom- 
niandcd the Lex. oonii)any in 177.'). He d. Sept. 17, 1775, and 
she ni. Nov. 5, 177H, Kphraini Pierce of Walthain. 

Charles, b. Auij. 14, 17:53. 8 Robert, b. Feb. 2(;, 17:;G. 

Isaac, b. May 24, 17:38. 



There are a few others of the name, but they are so far between 
that I can j^ive no eonneeted view of them, lieiijaniin Moore ni. 
May o, 17G8, Betsey Cutler, and had ehildren, we believe, but 
neither the town or the parish records contain the names or birth. 



1- 2 
3 
4 
6 



THE MORRELL FAMILY. 

Ambrose Morrell was b. in France about 1780. He received 
his early education in a convent, and was probably designed for the 
church.' He was conscripted into the French army, and served in 
Napoleon's second cami)aign in Italy. He was in the famous battle 
of Maren<'-o. He afterwards went to Holland, and from thence came 
to America, about 179S. He took up his residence in Le.x. and m 
Jan. 7, 18U0, Sarah Holbrook of Sherborne, age.l I'J. He d Aprd 
'H 1862 He was eueaged in the fur dressing business, lie wa3 
frJquentiv appointed on important committees, represented the town 
two years in the legislature, and was a justice of the peace. 

Sarah, b. Jan. 12, 1807 ; m. Abrll^n Millett, June 2, 18:33 no issue 
Clarissa, b. March 18, 1808; m. May 10, 18:3o, Rev. Curtis Cutler. 
vi;7;,hpfh b Dec. 3. 1810; d. voung. ^ ^, 

f S2: b! May 2^3, 18li; ni. Julv 19, 1836, Otis jL Haua He 
has been a n>erchant in Boston. Ihc'y have one child. Llkn B.. 

Mty^Z^^\ Ju?i8, 1820; m. April, 1842, George Marsh. 



THE MULUKEN FAMILY. 

BExaAMi. MuixiKKK came to this ^^;j^'p.';^^;^.^^^i^ 

lor a maruct. ill I i, „, „t n„o lolin Stones. It would seem 
setnp one of h.s time V^'^^^^^^;^^^'^^ ^f ^be clock; 



John and W")" '";;' „:™:„;, ; for'hU n.™'. appears upon the ,.x 
bill of t^r Shi «L a;r.o".l.e cl,. Aug. ■-', 175.. Ik was cl,o..a 



142 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



2- 3 

4 
5 
6 

7 



2-5- 



6-10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 



16 



5-10- 



10-17 

18 



19 



tythingman in 1754, — a position showing that he was a man of sobriety 
of character. He d. Nov. 23, 1767, aged 45, and, after remaining 
a wid. about ten years, she m. Nov. 18, 1777, Jonathan Harrington, 
as his second wile. She d. Nov. 13, 1783. AVhile she remained a 
wid., she was rendered liouseless by having her dwelling burned by 
the British on the 19th of April, 1775. She lost oti that occasion, in 
buildings and other property, £431. Her residence was near the 
late residence of Dea. Nathaniel Mulliken on Main street. 

Nathaniel, b. March 30, 1752 ; d. unm. Feb. 6, 1776, aged 24 years. 

He was a member of Capt. Parker's company. 
Lydia, b. July 11, 1753; m, Joseph Burrell of Haverhill. 
Wohn, b. Dec. 23. 1754 ; m. Lydia Whiting. 
Samuel, b. July 4, 1756 ; d. 1807, unm., in South Carolina. 
Mary, b. Dec. 4, 1757 ; m. Jan. 2, 1781, Abijah Sanderson of Salem. 
Rebecca, b. Dec. 10, 1762 ; m. July 27, 1784, Levi Harrington. 
Joseph, b. April 9, 1765 ; d. at Concord, where he resided, Feb. 4, 

1802. He m. Hepzibah Hunt of that place. 



John Mulliken m. Lydia Whiting, dau. of Thomas Whiting of 
Con. They were ad. to the ch. April 22, 1787. He d. March 9, 
1840, aged 85 ; she d. Nov. 15, 1825, aged 68. He tilled the office 
of selectman nineteen years, town clerk twelve years, treasurer eight 
years, and was a magistrate. 

\Nathaniel, b. May 17, 1781 ; was twice married. 

\John, b. April 26, 1783 ; m. Susanna Reed. 

Lucy, b. March 30, 1785 ; d. July 6, 1805, aged 20. 

Lydia, b. Aug. 6, 1787 ; d. Oct. 14. 1811, aged 24. 

\lsaac, b. June 1, 1789 ; m. Mary Nelson. 

Samuel, b. April 20, 1791 ; grad. H. C. 1819, studied medicine, and 

established himself at Dorchester. He m. Mary L. Payson, and 

d. Feb. 19, 1843. 
Faustina, b. April 20, 1793 ; d. April 25, 1815, aged 22. 



I 



Nathaniel Mulliken m. May 22, 1806, Mary Chandler, dau. of 
Nathan and Ruth (Tidd) Chandler. She d. Oct. 27, 1817, aged 34, 
and he m. May 6, 1819, L^ydia Sanderson of Salem. He d. June 28, 
1865, aged 84 years. He was a deacon in the first church, and filled 
the most important offices in the town. He was selectman, assessor, 
town clerk, and treasurer, — and the last-named office he filled fifteen 
or sixteen years, and the former offices from five to nine years. He 
was also a justice of the peace. 

Lucy, b. Aug. 26, 1806 ; m. Nov. 1, 1838. Joseph F. Daland of Wo. 

John William, b. Sept. 12, 1809. The town record has this entry 
connected with the record of his birth: "This child at his birth 
had four great-grandparents and four grandparents, all living in 
Lex., also bears the Christian name of two great-grandparents, 
one grandparent, and two uncles." He m. Sarah Jane Hunt of 
Camb, He moved to Charlestown, where he d. Sept. 19, 1854. 

Mary, b. May 17, 1811 ; m. Dec. 26, 1831, Luther Farnsworth. and 
had Mary, b. Oct. 15, 1832; Rebecca S., b. Oct. 30, 1833; and 
Emily M., b. Aug. 9, 1835, who d. May 11, 1863. Mr. Farns- 
worth d. Dec. 16, 1863, and his wife d. Nov. 8, 1861. 

Nathaniel, b. May 2, 1813 ; m. Nov. 15, 1836, Sarah Holt of Camb., 
where they resided for a time. He is now in Minnesota. 

Nathan Chandler, b. Feb. 19, 1815; m. Sept. 10, 1839, Faustina 
Roberts of Salem. They reside in Charlestown, where he is en- 
gaged in the ice business. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



143 



22 
23 

24 

25 



26 
27 

28 



5-11- 



11-29 
30 
31 



Eliza, b. Jan, 31, 1820; m. 1845, Edwin Pierce. They have two 
chil., Eliza J., b. June 29. 1846 ; Edwin W., b. Dee. 'l6 1849 

Ejyhraim, b. March 24, 1822; m. 1849, Mary Ann llortou'of 
Canton; they r. in lloxhury. 

'(Einery Abbott, b. Marcli 21, '1823 ; m. Avis M. WellinRton. 

Elijah S., b. June 30, 1824; m. Sept. 4, 1854, Helen S. Munvan of 
Hopedale, IMilford ; r. in Rhode Island. 

Joseph W., b. June 14, 1825; d. Feb. 5, 1829. 

Lydia W., b. Aug. 3, 1827 ; m. May 30, 1849, George F. H. Ilorton. 

Augusta W., b. Aug. 18, 1829. 



John Mullikex m. Nov. 30, 1813, Susanna Reed of Con. They 
were ad. to the eh. July 3, 1814. He d. Aug. 5, 1855, aged 72, and 
she d. Aug. 21, 1863. He filled the olUce of selectman, town clerk, 
and representative to the General Court. 

Susan, b. Sept. 19, 1814; m. Mav 7, 1835, Joseph F. Simonds. 

Charles, b. Oct. 8, 1816; d. Dec.'8, 1821. 

Lydia, b. Jan. 3, 1819; m. Sept. 20, 1861, Levi Bacon of Lowell. 

He was lost on board the Golden Gate, near California, 1862. 
\George, b. March 15, 1821 ; m. April 23, 1847, Charlotte Munroe. 
Elizabeth R., b. Nov. 5, 1823; d. Aug. 18, 1825. 
John, b. April 26, 1826 ; is in business in Boston. 



5-14- 



14-35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 

41 
42 



10-24- 



24-43 
45 
46 

11-32- 



32-47 
48 
49 
61 

14-37- 
37-52 



Isaac Mulliken m., Dec. 7, 1815, Mary Nelson, dau. of Josiah 
and Millicent (Bond) Nelson of Line. He d. March 17, 1859, aged 
69 ; she d. Dec. 8, 1861. He represented the town in the legislature 
three years, and filled important town offices. 

Faustina, b. April 17, 1817 ; m. May 17, 1854, William W. Clement. 

Elizabeth, b. March 16, 1819; d. Nov. 6. 1820. 

\Henry, b. Aug. 16, 1821 ; m. Adeline M. Locke. 

Edward, b. Nov. 25, 1823 ; m. Nov. 7, 1850, Harriet Smith of Stow. 

Mary Caroline, b. Jan. 8. 1826; m. Feb. 2, 1848, Wm. W. Clement. 

Elizabeth, b. Jan. 16, 1828 ; m. May 18, 1848, Hollis Gerry, and 

lives in Chelsea. 
Joseph, b. May 24, 1831 ; d. April 28, 1860. 
Helen S., b. May 16, 1833 ; m. July 5, 1854, Elbridge G. Locke ; r. 

in New York. 



Emery Abbott Mulliken m. Oct. 17, 1850, Avis M. Wellington, 
dau. of Neheniiah and Anna (Stearns) Wellington. 

Ann Eliza, h. Nov. 9, 1851. 44 John E. A., b. Sept. 8, 1856. 

Amelia M., b. Sept. 15, 1858. 

Alice W., b. Oct. 1862 ; d. Jan. 23, 1863^ 



George Mulliken m. April 23, 1847, Charlotte Munroe dau. of 
John and Charlotte Munroe. He resides in SomerviUe. His wile 
d, Dec. 8, 1861, and he m. again. 

Charlotte M., b. April 27, 1848 ; d July 4 1855. 

George Francis, b. Oct. 6, 1851 ; d. Sept. 24, 18o4. 

Charles Henry, b. Oct. 28, 1853. 50 Clarence M.,h. Oct. 13, 18d5. 

Harriet M., b. Feb. 6, 1858; d. 1866^ 



Henry Mulliken m. July 13. 1853, Adeline Matilda Locke, dau. 
of Hammond and Rebecca (Nevers)^ Locke, b. June 14, 18-0. 

William Henry, b. June 30. 1854. 52 Everett M., b. Mar. 26. 1857. 



144 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTONo 



TFIE MUNROE FAMILY. 

The INIunroes, who acted a conspicuons part on the 10th of April, 
1775, and were amono; the first settlers in Lexington, and who have 
from tin>e to time filled some of the principal offices in the town, were 
of Scotch descent; though it is said that they came to Scotland from 
Ireland at a remote period. Dr. Doddridge, in his Life of Col. 
Gardner, has given an interesting account of the ancient family of 
Munroes, (of whom tire Lexington IMunroes were descendants,) from 
which account this notice is mostly taken. 

The family of Munroes of Fowlis is among the most ancient and 
honorable families in the north of Scotland, and has generally been 
remarkable for a brave, martial, and patriotic spirit. They have 
intermarried with many of the best families and nobility in the North 
of Scotland ; and, what is more to their honor, they were among the 
very first in those parts, who embraced the Reformation, which they 
zealously supported. 

According to Buchanan, it was in the beginning of the eleventh 
century, and about the time of the con(]nest of England, when Mal- 
colm, the second of that name. King ol' Scots, first distributed, or as 
it was expressed, /«7?t'-e(Z out, or fee-ed, the lands in Scotland to the 
principal families, on account of their eminent services in his battles 
with the Danes. According to tradition, it was on that occasion that 
the country between the Borough of Dingwall and the waters of 
Alness in the shire of Ross, was given to Donald Munroe. A part 
of these lands Avere afterwards by the King erected into a Barony, 
called the Barony of Fowlis. Some of the Munroes were lords of 
this barony from its first erection ; but we shall commence with them 
about the time they became Protestants. 

George Munroe, IX Baron of Fowlis in a direct line from the 
above-mentioned Donald, the first Baron, was slain at the memorable 
battle of Bannockburn, fought by Robert Bruce of Scotland against 
pjdward H, of England, in 1314. And George, X Baron of Fowlis, 
son of the former, was also slain, with a great many other of his 
name, at the battle of Hollydon Hill, near Benvick, where the Scots 
were defeated, July 22, Vdo'd. Robert Munroe, XVII Baron of 
Fowlis, was slain at the battle of Pinkie, near Edinburgh, with many 
of his name, when the Scots were again defeated, in 15'47. The first 
Protestant of this family was Robert Munroe, XVIII Baron of Fow- 
lis, son of the last-mentioned, who came to the assistance of Mary, 
Queen of Scots, when she was involved in trouble at Inverness. He 
d. in 1588, and was succeeded by his son, Robert, 'XIX Baron of 
Fowlis, who d. the same year with his father. The next Baron was 
his brother Hector Munroe, who d. 1603. 

Robert Munroe, son of Hector, was the XXI Baron. He flour- 
ished at the time that Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden was engaged 
in a Protestant war with Ferdinand II, in defence of the civil and 
religious liberties of Germany. The Baron, moved with pity and 
patriotism, joined Adolphus, with a great many of his clan of the 
same name, where they gained great distinction as soldiers. Robert 
became so eminent, that he was made colonel of two regiments, one 
of foot and the other of horse, at the same time. He d. of a wound 
received in crossing the Danube, in 1633. He was succeeded by Sir 
Henry Munroe, XXII Baron of Fowlis, the next male heir of the 
family, who was also a colonel in the same service, and upon crossing 
over into Britain, he was created a Baronet, in 1633. He d. at Ham- 
burg two years after. His son, Sir Hector Munroe, was the XXIII 
Baron of Fowlis, and d. without issue 1651. Sir Robert Munroe, 
XXIV Baron of Fowlis, being the next of kin, succeeded him. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. M.', 

Up to this time there were three generals. ei<;ht ooloncls. fivn liciit.- 
colonels, eleven majors, and above thirty euptains of tliu name of 
Munroe, besides a fjreat number of subalterna,— all of the same 
orirjinal stock; the descen<lants of Donald Munroe. Some of the 
family were for a lonj; period in considerable military command in 
Sweden and many parts of (Jennariy, and even in India. 

General Robert Mnnroe, nncle to Sir Robert, the XXIV iJaron, 
was in Ki-ll, appointed by Charles II, major-f^ineral of tiie .Scotch 
forces that were sent to Ireland to suppress the rebellion there. In 
16-i-t, at the head of U,000 of the Scotch and English i'rotestanfs, 
he fought and defeated 22,000 of the Irish in Ulster. In lOlo, 
he was surprised and taken prisoner by Col. IMonk, and d. soon 
after. The general was succeeded in conmiand by his nephew, 
Sir George Munroe, who had served under him in Ireland. He was 
made major-general by Charles II, and had a body of troops under 
him at Kendall, when James, Duke of Hamilton, was defeated by 
Cromwell at Lancaster in 1G48. Upon this defeat, Sir George re- 
turned to Scotland, and defeated the Earl of Argyle. He afterwards 
went to Holland and joined his master, Charles II, at wiiose restora- 
tion he was made lieut. -general, and commander-in-chief in Scotland. 

Sir John Munroe, XXV Baron of Fowlis, succeeded his father. 
Sir Robert, in 16G8. He was a member of the Estates of Scotland 
at the Revolution, and a zealous promoter of that happy event. He 
was also a zealous Presbyterian, and being remarkalile for size and 
corpulency, he was nick-named " tlie rresi)yterian mortar picce.^^ 
He suffered both by tines and imjirisonment lor his devotion to the 
cause of religion, and d. KiOG. Sir Robert Munroe, who succeeded 
his father in the barony as the XXVI of the family, was a pious 
and benevolent man, much beloved by the people. His son. Sir 
Robert, the XXVII Baron, succeeded him in 1729. He went 
early from the university to the camp, where he served seven years 
in Flanders, being for some time captain of the Royal Scots. On 
his return to England he was elected to Parliament, where he con- 
tinued thirty years. He was greatly distinguished, like others of 
the fiimily, for his military services. In 17 L^, he witii his clan, in 
conjunction with the Earl of Sunderland, kept the Earl of Seaforth 
witii a much larger force from joining the Rebel camp for near two 
months. Being made Governor of Inverness, Sir Robert kept four 
hundred men of his clan and name regularly paid and disciplined, 
and so rendered important service to his country. 

He afterwards greatly distinguished himself at the battle of Fonte- 
noy. He had obtained' leave of His Royal Highness the Duke of 
Cumberland, to adopt his own mode of warfare, and employ his own 
regiment where and how he pleased. He was early in the field, and 
at every point of danger; and wherever the Munroe regiment moved, 
victory" followed its banner. He would march near the enemy, and 
when the French were about to fire, he would order his men to throw 
themselves upon the ground, and receive their fire ; and as soon as 
they drew the enemy's fire, he would order them to sprmg up an( 
rush upon the foe, reserving their own fire till they had nearly closed 
with them, so that every shot would tell with dreadful effect. These 
attacks were repeated with the most marked success several tunes 
durincr the dav, to the admiration of the whole army. It was observ- 
able that when he commanded his whole regnnent to drop to the 
.rround, he himself stood upright, exposed to the whole fn-e of the 
enemy On being questioned afterwards, why he did this, he replied 
that though he could throw himself down as readily as younger and 
leaner mtm, his great bulk and corpulency wouhl not suffer him o 
rise sufficiently early to rush upon the enemy with his men ; and the 



146 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



commander would not allow himself to be behind his men in such an 
emergency. 

For bis distinguished services at Fontcnoy his Majesty was pleased 
to appoint him to succeed Gen. Ponsonby, who was slain that day 
in command of his troops. They were afterwards ordered to Scot- 
land, and in the battle of Falkirk, being on one of the wings with his 
new regiment, they shamefully left their brave commander with five ^ 
or six of his ofBcers, to be cut to pieces by the enemy. According 
to the account of the rebels themselves. Sir Robert defended himself 
against six of them, and killed two of their number, but a seventh 
coming up, shot him through the body. At this fatal moment his 
brother, Doctor Munooe, who was near at hand, rushed to the rescue, 
and was slain near his brother. Doctor Munroe was not only a man 
of great bravery, but was highly distinguished in his profession, and 
much respected as a man. Scarcely less distinguished was another 
brother, Capt. George Munroe. He enjoyed the advantages of a 
liberal education, but turned his attention mainly to the profession 
of arms. He was in many engagements, in which he displayed great 
gallantry, and in one was severely wounded. He however recovered, 
and afterwards fell by the hands of a cowardly assassin. 

" Thus," said the correspondent of Dr. Doddridge, " died these 
three worthy men, to the irreparable loss of their country; all of 
them remarkable for a brave spirit, full of love to their native land, 
and of distinguished zeal for* religion and liberty; faithful in their 
promises, steadfast in their friendship, abundant in their charity to 
the poor and distressed; moderate in their resentments, and easy to 
be reconciled ; and especially remarkable for their great and entire 
love to each other, so that one soul seemed, as it were, to actuate all 
the three." 

Though we have brought this sketch down to 1746, we must go 
back about a century, to trace the history of the Munroes who came 
to America. The date of their emigration to this country is uncer- 
tain. Their history here, like that of many of the early settlers in, 
this country, is handed down to us by tradition, and not by full and 
reliable records. As near as we can learn, they came to America 
about 1650. Being a young man without a family, and destitute of 
property, the name of the first emigrant, William Munroe, does 
not appear upon the public records till some time afterwards. 

It is highly probable that the Munroes who settled in New Eng- 
land were prisoners of war taken by Cromwell, and sold as slaves or 
apprentices, as the term was. The custom was this : these prisoners 
were sold in England to shippers for a small sum, who sent them to 
this country, where they were sold into service of from three to ten 
years, to pay the first purchase, the cost of the passage, and such 
profits as the dealers in flesh and blood might be able to make. The 
Munroes were probably some of those who were taken at the battle of 
Worcester, where Cromwell was victorious. In 1651, a cargo of pris- 
oners was consigned to Thomas Kemble of Boston. The list of 
prisoners contains the names of four Munroios, as the name was there 
spelled, viz., Robert, John, Hugh, and another whose first name is 
obliterated. This is supposed to be William, the ancestor of the 
Lex. Munroes. One of this number settled at Bristol, then in this 
State, but now in Rhode Island. The Munroes of Bristol were rela- 
tives of those of Lex., but how near it is impossible to say with 
certainty. 

There is a tradition in the family that William Munroe was sold or 
bound out to a farmer by the name of Winship, Avho resided in that 
part of Cambridge called Menotomy (now Arlington), and that when 
his indentures expired, and he set up for himself, he went farther 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 147 

back into the woods, and procured a tract of land within the present 
limits of Lex., on a section now known by the name of Scotland, in 
honor of the native place of the first settler. 

The name on the Lex. records in the first instances was spelt 
Munro or Munroe ; but in a few years the first syllable was drop])cd, 
and many of the family spelled their name lioe. In fact, for a time 
Roe and Munroe seem to have been used interchanf^ably. so that we 
find such entries as this : " bap. Mary Boe, daughter of William Mun- 
roe.'" Ultimately a better fashion prevailed, and the present orthog- 
raphy was adopted. 

The record of the Munroes is extremely defective ; the early set- 
tlers of that name being less given to letters than to arms. 

William Munroe, the ancestor of all the Munroes of Lex. and 
this vicinity, was born in Scotland in 1G25, and descended from the 
Munroe clan in Scotland, of which we have already spoken. He 
came to America in 1G52, and consequently was at that time twenty- 
seven years of age. The first mention of him which I find in the 
Can)bridge lecords is in 1G57, when "Thomas Hose and William 
Row " were fined for not having rings in the nose of their swine. 
If he was sold as an apprentice when he was first brought over, his 
apprenticeship must have been rather a short one for those days, for 
he must have been his own man in 1657. He settled at Cambridge 
Farms about 1660, in the northeasterly part of the town, bordering 
on Woburn. His house was near the Wo line, on what is now \Vo- 
burn street, not far from the present residence of Hugh Graham. 

Several of his sons lived with or not far from him at first; and it 
was said by Mrs. Sanderson, his great-granddaughter, who d. ISoS, 
aged 104: years, that his old house looked like a rope-walk, so many 
additions had been made to it to acconunodate his sons, as they 
settled in life. By adopting the custom of the Scottish clans, he in a 
manner confined the Munroes together, and made them for some 
time, as it were, a distinct people. A consideral>le portion of their 
original possessions still remain in the Munroe family. 

Though he came to the country under unfavorable circumstances, 
and set up for himself rather late in life, he appears to have been 
quite successful in his worldly affairs, and to have been blessed with 
a large, prosperous family. He was made freeman in 1690. He 
was in the parish at its first organization, and was one of the com- 
mittee to purchase a tract of land for the support of the ministry, 
with David Fiske, sen., Samuel Stone, sen., Ephraim Winshq), Ben- 
jamin Muzzy, and John Tidd. In the subscription for building the 
meetinghouse, William Munroe's name is found, and his subscrip- 
tion of'£2 shows that in public spirit and in pecuniary means be was 
amon^T the first seven in the parish, and the subsequent tax bills, 
from 1693 to 169('>, show that in point of taxable property he stood 
amonjT the first half dozen men in the parish; tiius showing conclu- 
sively^that he was a man of enterprise and force of character. In 
1694 he was one of the selectmen of Cambridge, of which Lex. was 
then a part; and subsequently his name appears lu connection with 
several other important offices in the parish. He was ad. to tbe ch. 
in Lex Feb 1, 1699. He was three times married, though i have 
not been able to find the record of the marriages, or learn the family 
name of his first two wives. He was probably forty vears old when 
he married, and still he reared a fiimily of tlin-teen_ children.^ He m. 
about 
m. Ma 

ond wi.., ^ , ^ ,- u 1 I 

been twenty-six years younger than her husban 



arried, and still he reared a fiimily of thirteen children. He m. 

t IGGo Martha , by whom he had four cluhlreii, and second, 

[arv -^, about 1672, by whom he had nine children. His sec- 
wife, Mary, d. Aug. 1692, aged 41, conscpiently she must have 
..„..' .,...;-l ,.„.,.« v..,in<xHr than her husband. He m. third, Mrs. 



148 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 
3 



1-2- 



Elizabcth Wyer, wid. of Edward Wyer of Charlestown. She d. Dec. 
14, 1715, aged 79, and lie d. Jan. 27, 1717, at the advanced age of 
ninety-two. Thoiigli he married his last wife when he was well 
stricken in years, he must have married for love and not for money, 
for in the jiapers connected with the settlement of his estate, we find 
an inventory of the property which belonged to her, consisting of one 
bed, one bolster, one ])illow, one chest, one warming pan, one pair 
of tongs, and one pewter platter. 

His will, dated Nov. 14. 171G, mentions sons John, William, 
George, Daniel, Joseph, and Benjamin, and dau. Eleanor Burgess, 
to whom he gave the sole use of his house, Martha Comee, Hannah 
Pierce, Elizabeth Rugg, and Mary Fassett. 

\John, b. March 10, 1666 ; ra. Hannah . 

Martha, b. Nov. 2, 1G67; m. Jan. 21, 1688, John Comee of Con. 

He came to Lex., where he lived and reared a family of children. 

She d. April 13, 1729, aged 62. 
\ William, b. Oct. 10, 1669; m. Mary Cutler. 

\ George, b. ; m. Sarah . 

jDanieL b. Aug. 12, 1673; m. Dority . 

Hannah, b. ; m. Dec. 21, 1692, Joseph Pierce, whose first 

wife was Ruth Holland, and whose third wife was Beriah, wid. of 

Daniel Child; by Hannah he had eight children. 
Elizabeth, b. ; m. Thomas Rugg, by whom she had eleven 

children born between 1691 and 1714. 
3Iaiy, b. June 24, 1678; m. about 1700, Joseph Fassett. They 

lived on what is called the Page Place, now in Bedford, but then 

in Lexington. 
David, b. Oct. 6, 1680; not mentioned in his father's will. 
Eleanor, b. Feb. 24, 1683 ; m. Aug. 21, 1707, William Burgess of 

Charlestown. She had four children, whose births are recorded in 

Lexington. 
Sarah, h. March 18, 168.5; m. George Blanchard, about 1707. 

\Joseph, b. Aug. 16, 1687 ; m. Elizabeth . 

\Benjamin, b. Aug. 16, 1690; was twice married. 



John Munkoe m. Hannah . He was ad. to the ch, Feb. 1, 

1699, together with his father, and sisters Martha Comee, Elizabeth 
Rugg, and Hannah Pierce. He was a subscriber for the meeting 
house in 1692, and was taxed for the purchase of the ministerial land 
in 1693. He was one of the assessors in 1699, 1714, and 1720; was 
constable in 1700, selectman in 1718 '19, and ^'2<o, and treasurer 
1718, '19. and '20. He d Sept. 14, 1753, aged 87 ; she d. April 14, 
1716. aged 42. He was employed many years to ring the bell and to 
sweep out the meeting house, which shows that he did not consider 
it derogatory to perform any honest labor. He also illustrated the 
truth of the old ballad, that " there are sweepers in high life as well 
as in low " ; for in addition to sweeping the meeting house, he filled 
most of the important offices in the town. 

In consequence of the number of the Munroes, and the repetition 
of the names William and John and George and Mary and Sarah and 
Hannah, we find it very difficult in some cases to trace the families. 
This difficulty was felt by themselves and their contemporaries, and 
consequently, when speaking of the individuals, they had recourse 
to certain other designations. A specimen of this is embodied in 
the following not very elegant couplet, preserved by one of the 
descendants. 

" Li»utpnart John and Ensign Rne, 
Sergeant George and Corporal Joe." 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



149 



2-L5 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 

1-4- 



It will be seen by these titles that the family, true to their instincts, 
were given to the military, and that John was honored with the 
office of Lieutenant. VVe also learn that John Munroe and others had 
nine hundred acres of land granted to them in 1735, for services 
rendered in the Indian fight at Lamprey River, June 6, 1(590. 

John, bap. 1699 ; probably m. Rachel . 

Hannah, bap. 1699; d. April 14, 171G. 

Constance, bap. 1699. 

Jonathan, bap. March 12. 1699; d. Aug. 20, 1724. 

^William, bap. Feb. 1, 1701 ; was twice married. 

Elizabeth, bap. March 5, 1703. 

S^isannah, bap. July 1, 1705; m. June 16, 1724, Ebenezer Nichols. 

\Jonas, bap. Nov. 22, 1707 ; he was twice married. 

Martha, b. Dec. 6, 1710. 

\Marrett, b. Dec. 6, 1713; m. April 17, 1737, Deliverance Parker. 



William Munroe m. Mary Cutler, dau. of Thomas. She d. 
June 26, 1718, aged 33, and he m. Johanna Russell, dau. of Philip 
and Johanna Russell, about 1716. He d. Jan. 2, 1759, aged 91, and 
she d. Sept. 17, 1748. He had seven children by his first wife, and 
two by his last. He was an ensign in the colonial militia, and hence 
was denominated " Ensign Roe." He was ad. to the ch. April 9, 
1699, and his wife Mary was ad. April 30 of the same year, and his 
wife Johanna was ad. Dec. 24, 1727. He was constable, 1708, 
assessor, 1713, and selectman, 1724, '30, '34, and '35. 

4-25 Mary, b. April 3, 1699. 26 Abigail, b. June 28, 1701. 

27 \William, b. Dec. 19. 1703; ra. June 3, 1733, Sarah Mason. 

28 ^Thomas, b. March 19, 1706; m. Elizabeth . 

29 \David, b. Sept. 2«, 1708; m. Abigail Wellington. 

30 Ruth, b. March 16, 1711. 31 Hannah, b. March 19, 1713. ''**•. 
,32 ^Philip, b. Feb. 26, 1718; m. Mary . tl 2 '^ Q^'.A.Q /2a<^-<.H.1.« 

33 Johanna, b. Oct 21, 1726; d. Jan. 23, 1749, unm. " 



1-5- 



5-34 
35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 

41 
42 

1-6- 



Geouge Munroe m. Sarah . He was generally designated 

"Sergeant George." He was a tythingman, 1719, and selectman, 
1728. He d. Jan. 17, 1749, aged 73, and she d. Dec. 4, 1752, 
aged 75. 

\William, b. Jan. 6, 1700; m. May 6, 1735, Rebecca Locke of Wo. 

Sarah, b. Oct. 17, 1701. 

Dorothy, b. Nov. 19, 1703; d. April following. 

L7/dia, b. Dec. 13, 1705. 

^George, b. Oct. 17, 1707; m. Sarah Phipps. 

\Robert, b. May 4, 1712; m. July 28, 1737, Anne Stone. 

\Samiiel, b. Oct. 23, 1714; the record adds, " He was the first bap. 

in the new meeting house." 
\Andreu.\ bap. June 4, 1718; m. May 26, 1763, Mrs. Lucy Simonds. 
Lucy, b. Aug. 20, 1720; m. Watson of Camb. 



Daniel Munroe m. Dority . He was ad. to the ch. Feb. 

18, 1728, and d. Feb. 26, 1734, aged 61. His widow administered 
upon his estate. 

G-43 Daniel, b. June 27, 1717. 

44 \Jedediah, b. May 20, 1721 ; m. Abigail Loring. 

45 ,Sarah, b. June 21, 1724. 46 Dorothy, b. June 21, 1728. 
47 \john, b. May 30, 1731 ; ra. Anna Kendall of Woburu. 

77 



150 



fflSTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1-13- 



13-48 
49 
50 



51 
52 

53 
54 
5G 

58 



1-14- 



14-59 
60 
61 
62 

68 
64 

65 
66 
67 
68 
69 



2-19- 



19-70 
71 
72 
73 
74 

75 
76 



Joseph Munroe m. Elizabeth 
noinen of " Corporal Joe." 



. He was known by the cog- 



\JosepJi, b. May 13, 1713; m. Hannah . 

Elizabeth, b. June 12, 1715. 

Nathan, b. Sept. 7, 1716; m. Nov. 23, 1738, Mercy Benjamin. He 
moved to Con., where he had a family of seven children. Several 
of his sons settled in Northboro', Shrewsbury, Worcester, and 
Spencer in Worcester County. 

Joshua, b. Dec. 22, 1717 ; m. Kuth , resided in Concord. 

Nathaniel, b. Nov. 17, 1719. He embarked in 1740 in the expedi- 
tion to Cuba, and d. before his return. 

Amos, b. April 21, 1721 ; d. July 7, 1765. 

Abigail, b. Jan. 21, 1723. 55 Mary, b. Jan. 21, 1726. 

Eleanor, b, June 13, 1727. 57 Kezia, b. Oct. 16, 1731. 

Hannah, b. Nov. 29, 1733; m. July 26, 1760, Gershora Williams. 
He d. at West Canib., at the remarkable age of 100 years. 



Benjamin Munroe m. Abigail . She d. and he m. 1748, 

Mrs. Prudence (Harrington) Estabrook, wid. of John Estabrook of 
Lex. She d. 1778. He resided in Line, and d. April 6, 1765. His 
will, dated April 1, and proved April 22, 1766, mentions wife Pru- 
dence and dau. Rebecca Sawin, Abigail Brown, Sarah Cutler, Mar- 
tha Stone, Mary Parker, Anna Matthis, Eunice Wheeler, and children 
of Lydia Williams, deceased, and son Benjamin. 

Lydia, b. March 7, 1718 ; m. Oct. 19, 1740, Joseph Williams, Camb. 

Abigail, b. Oct. 5, 1719 ; m. Feb. 7, 1745, Joseph Brown of Weston. 

A child, b. ; d. Nov. 9, 1721. 

Benjamin, b. June 21, 1723 ; m. Mary Merriam of Lex. ; lived in 
Lincoln. 

Rebecca, b. Aug. 24, 1725 ; m. Manning Sawin of Marlb., M.ay, 1746. 

Sarah, b. July 26, 1727 ; m. May 12, 1750, Josiah Parks of Lincoln. 
He d. and she m. Dec. 22, 1753, Elisha Cutler of Lexington. 

Martha, b. March 18, 1729; m. Sept. 8, 1748, Isaac Stone of Lex. 

Mary, twin of the above ; m. Josiah Parker, Jr. 

Amie, b. March 4, 1732; m. Matthis. 

Eunice, b. Apr. 9, 1734; m. June 26, 1756, Edmund Wheeler, Line. 

Kezia, b. April 22, 1736 ; not mentioned in her father's will, prob- 
ably died before that period. 



William Munroe m, Phebe . She d. Jan. 15, 1742, and 

he m. May 29, 1745, Mrs. Tabitha (Hobbs) Jones of Weston. He 
had six children by his first wife, and four by his last. He is fre- 
quently denominated the black-smith, to distinguish him from others 
of the same name, one of whom was denominated the shoemaker, for 
the same reason. His will, dated March 25, 1777, and proved June 
4, 1783, mentions wife Tabitha, dau. Phebe Caldwell, Dorcas Par- 
ker, Bridget Maxwell, Sarah Barker, Lucy Hobbs, and Susanna, and 
son Oliver. 

Phebe, b. April 28, 1726 ; m. Adam Caldwell of Bedford. 
Jonathan, b. April 1, 1729; d. June 17, 1739. 
jWiUiam, b. May 12, 1730; not mentioned in his father's will. 
Edmund, b. May 3, 1732 ; d. April 4, 1735. 

Bridget, b. April 27, 1735 ; m. Nov. 4, 1760, Hugh Maxwell, then 
both of Bedford. 

Susanna, b. ; m. April 27, 1780, Isaac Reed of Woburn. 

Hannah, b. Dec. 15, 1742 ; not mentioned in the will. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



151 



2-22- 



22-81 
82 
83 
84 
.85 
86 
87 



2-24- 



24-89 
90 
91 
92 
93 
94 
95 
96 
97 

98 
99 



4-27- 



Sarah, h. April 18, 1746 ; m. Barber. 

Oliver, h. Feb. 9, 1748 ; m. and lived in Wat., where he d. 
Dorcas, b. Nov. 14, 1750 ; m. Dec. 2, 1772, Ebenezer Parker 
Lucy, b. Sept. 19, 1752 ; m. Nov. 24, 1774, Samuel Hobbs of Weston. 



Jonas Munroe m. June 3, 1734, Joanna Locke, d.au. of Joseph 
and Margaret (Mead) Locke, b. Feb. 2, 1713. She d. Sept. 17, 
1748, aged 35, and he m. about 1750, Rebecca Watts of Chelsea! 
He d. Nov. 9, 1765, and his wid. m. April 19, 1773, John Muzzy of 
Lex., grandson of the first settler, tnd his second wife. Jonas Mun- 
roe was honored with the title o( Lieutenant. 

Jonas, b. Nov. 2, 1734 ; d. June 3, 1760. He was in the French war. 
Uohn, b. Feb. 1, 1737 ; m. April 13, 1762, Lydia Bemis of Weston. 
jStephen, h. Oct. 25, 1739 ; ni. July 8, 1766, Nancy Perry of Wo. 
Jonathan, b. May 25, 1742; m. Abigail Kendall of Woburn. 
Joanna, b. April 12, 1747 ; m. July 9, 1771, John Adams. 
^Ebenezer, b. April 29, 1752; m. May 10, 1781. Lucy Simonds, Wo. 
Rebecca, b. June 17, 1755 ; m. May 22, 1777, John Muzzy, Jr. 
Martha, b. Sept. 12, 1758 ; d. at Ashburnham, 1793, unra. 



Marrett Munroe m. April 17, 1737, Deliverance Parker, dau. 
of Lieut. Josiah Parker, b. May 18, 1721. He d. March 26, 1798, 
aged 85, and she d. Aug. 9, 1799, aged 78. His will, dated Feb. 18, 
1789, and proved ]\Iay 1, 1798, mentions wife Deliverance, sons 
Josiah, Nathan, and Thaddeus, and dau. Rachel, Mary Underwood, 
Bethia, Deliverance Winship, Elizabeth Buckman, and a child of dau. 
Ann Nurse, deceased. He was selectman, 1762, '63, '64, and '67. 
He resided near the Common, on the place now occupied by Mr. 
John Hudson. 

Rachel, b. Nov. 29, 1737 ; d. unm. in Boston, where she lived. 

Josiah, b. June 29, 1742; d. June 12, 1743. 

\ Josiah, b. Feb. 12, 1745; m. Nov. 1.5, 1768, Susan Fitch of Bed. 

\Nathan, b. Aug. 9, 1747 ; m. Oct. 3, 1769, Elizabeth Harrington. 

Mary, b. March 3, 1749; ni. March 21, 1771, Joseph Underwood. 

Bethia, b. Jan. 22, 1753, lived at Bellows Falls; d. unm., aged 93. 

Deliverance, b. July 22, 1755 ; m. John Winship. 

Anna, b. June 23, 1758 ; m. Josiah Nurse of Framingham. 

Thaddeus, b. Oct. 26, 1760; traded in South Carolina, where he 

died, unmarried. 
John, b. and d. April 3, 1763. 
Elizabeth, b. Oct. 4, 1765 ; m. July 1, 1781, Jacob Buckman, father 

of Hon. Bowen Buckman, of Woburn. 



William Munroe m. June 3, 1733, Sarah Mason, dau. of John 
and Elizabeth (Spring) Mason, b. June 7, 1714. She was ad. to the 
ch. May 4, 1735. It is stated, in a paper left by one of the family, 
that he had just been engaged as a committee man to enlarge the 
burying yard, and taking a sudden cold while haying in his meadow, 
he was attacked with a violent fever, which in a few days proved 
fatal ; and that he was the first to be laid in the new portion of the 
yard he had so recently procured. This account is confirmed by his 
grave stone, which has this inscription: " William Munroe d. Aug. 
18, 1747, aged 44 years. The first buried in this (the new portion) 
yard." She m. Feb. 27, 1763, Isaac Bowman, Esq., and d. April 
13, 1785, aged 71. 



152 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



27-100 
101 

102 

103 
104 

105 



4-28- 



4-29- 



29-106 
107 
108 



4-32- 



32-109 
111 
113 
115 
116 
117 

5-34- 



34-118 



119 



\Edmnnd. b. Feb. 2, 1736; m. Aug. 31, 1768, Rebecca Harrington. 
Sarah, b. May 1, 1738; ra. Dec. 2, 1762, William Tidd of Lex. 

They moved to New Braintree, where they died. 
Catharine, h. Sept. 29, 1740 ; m. Nov. 22, 1764, Joseph Bowman of 

Lex. They moved to New Braintree. 
]Williain, b. Oct. 28, 1742 ; he was twice married. 
Abigail, b. Feb. 24, 1744; m. Daniel Spooner, Esq., of Hartland, 

Vt., where she d. 1846, at the remarkable age of 102 years. 
Nehemiah, b. July 1, 1747 ; m. Dec. 5, 1771, Avis Hammond. They 

moved to Roxbury, yhere he d. Aug. 2, 1828, aged 81. 



Thomas Muxroe m. Elizabeth . He moved to Con., where 

his children were born. They had nine children. Thomas, his 
oldest son, b. May 4, 1731, m. for his second wife, Dec. 29, 1763, 
Mrs. Hepzibah Raymond of Lex., wid. of Jonathan Raymond. His 
second son, John, b. May 4, 1753, grad. H. C. 1751 ; studied divinity 
but was never ordained. He taught school in Con., and moved to 
Harvard in 1772, where he d. Thomas Munkoe, the father, was a 
captain. 



David Munroe m. Feb. 29, 1733, Abigail Wellington, dau. of 
Benjamin and Lydia (Brown) Wellington, b. July 14, 1715. He 
was a member of Capt. Blodgett's company, which marched to the 
relief of Fort William-Henry, in 1757. He was also in the French 
war in 1760, and was a corporal. He d. June 13, 1764, aged 55. 

David, b. 1734; m. Oct. 17, 1765, Elizabeth Foye of Charlestown. 
Benjamin, bap. Sept. 12, 1736; d. in Stow, without issue. 
Abraham, b. Aug. 14, 1738; m. Lois Chapen of Stow. He was a 

lieutenant in the French war. He afterward moved to Northboro', 

where he kept a public house. 



Philip Munroe m. Mary . They o. c. Nov. 16, 1740, when 

their oldest child was bap. They had six children in Lex., and 
moved to Shrewsbury, where their last three children were bap. The 
Shrewsbury ch. record says, " they being in covenant relations with 
the ch. in Lex." 



Mary, b. Dec. 4, 1740 ; d. young. 110 Lois, b. Dec. 11, 1742. 
Jonathan, b. Dec. 28, 1744. 112 Prudence, bap. May 27, 1747. 

Mary, bap. April 10, 1757. 114 Lemuel, bap. March 4, 1759. 

Abraham, bap. at Shrewsbury, ? Cp^^t a 1763 
Abigail, " " ^ P • » 

Sarah, bap. " Oct. 14, 1764. 



William Munroe m. May 6, 1736, Rebecca Locke, dau. of James 
and Sarah (Cutter) Locke, b. Nov. 11, 1711. He was killed July 
10, 1778, by a cart falling upon him, aged 78. His wid. d, Nov. 19, 
1798, aged 87. Her thirds were distributed, in 1799, to James, 
Philemon, William, and the heirs of Isaac, deceased. 

James, b. Dec. 12, 1735 ; m. Aug. 18, 1763, Lucy Watson of Camb. 
She d. July 10, 1783, and he m. Mrs. Sarah Hancock. He resided 
in Camb., where he was a deacon, and d. 1804. He was appointed 
armorer by the Provincial congress in 1775, and acted in that 
capacity for some time. He was a blacksmith by trade. 

Isaac, b. Sept. 11, 1737. He m. Dec. 25, 1760, Mary Hutchinson 
of Charlestown. She d. and he m. June 16, 1791, Mrs. Lydia 
Caldwell of Wo. He resided in West Camb., and was deacon of 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



153 



120 



121 
122 

123 
124 

125 
126 
127 



5-38- 



38-128 
129 
130 



6-39- 



39-132 
133 
131 



135 
136 



5-40- 



40-137 
139 

140 



the Baptistchiirch there. He d. July 17, 1791, from the sting of 

a bee, leaving his second -wife for the second time a widow, after 

a marriage of twenty-one days. 
Asa, b. Dec. 29, 1739 ; d. Feb. 20, 1825, aged 85, un^n. He was in 

the battle of Lex., being a member of Parker's company. He was 

in the campaign at White Plains, in 1776. 
Rebecca, b. Jan. 12, 1742 ; d. unm. Sept. 6, 1767, aged 26. 
Lydia,h. Feb. 21, 1744; m. June 23, 1768, Phinehas Parker of 

Reading, afterwards ofPepperell; d. 1781, without issue. 
Amos, b. May 31, 1746 ; d. July 5, 1765. 
Mary, b. Oct. 10, 1748 ; m. 1772, Samuel Sanderson, and d. Oct. 

15, 1852, at the remarkable age of 104 years, 5 days. 
Hannah, b. Sept. 26, 1751 ; m. Jan. 4, 1774, William Porter. 
\Philem,on, b. Oct. 20, 1753 ; he was twice married. 
\William, b. Aug. 29, 1756; m. Abigail Harrington. 



George Munroe m. Nov. 25, 1731, Sarah Phipps. He d. June 
24, 1743, aged 37. His wid., Sarah, administered upon his estate. 
Timothy Wellington was appointed, March 7, 1747, guardian of 
Timothy, Thaddeus, and Elizabeth, under fourteen years of age, 
and of George, fifteen years of age. 

\George, bap. May 13, 1733; m. Anna Bemis. 

\Timnthy, bap. April 20, 1735; settled in Lynn. 

Thaddeus, bap. Aug. 20, 1738. 131 Elizabeth, bap. Mar. 23, 1740. 



Robert Munroe m. July 28, 1737, Anne Stone, dau. of John 
and Mary (Reed) Stone. He was a soldier in the French war, was 
the standard bearer at the taking of Louisburg, in 1758, and was 
also in the service in 1762. Having served the colonies against the 
French and Indians, we might naturally suppose that he would be 
true to the family instinct, and to the calls of patriotism in defending 
the colonies against any other foe. And so he was. Being the en- 
sign of Parker's gallant co., he was on the Common on the 19th of 
April, 1775, and stood manfully at his post; and fell, one of the first 
victims of British oppression, on the very field where he was posted 
by his gallant commander. He was in the 64th year of his age at the 
time of his death. 

Ebenezer, b. Feb. 5, 1737 ; d. June 25, 1740. 

A7ina, b. Aug. 13, 1740; m. May 8, 1760, Daniel Harrington. 

liuth, b. July 26, 1742 ; m. Jan. 9, 1766, William Tidd, who was 

lieutenant in Capt. Parker's co., and was wounded in the battle of 

Lexington. 
\Ebenezer, h. Nov. 15, 1744 ; m. May 2, 1771, Martha Smith. 
jJoh7i, b. June 15, 1748 ; m. Dec. 3, 1772, Rebecca Wellington. 



Samuel Munroe m. Abigail . There is no record of his 

family except Jonathan ; but there are indications on the records of 
his having other children. I set down the following as the most 
probable. He was in the service five months at Ticonderoga, in 1776, 
and three months at Dorchester, the same year. He probably moved 
to Townsend, about 1780. 

John, b. . 138 Jonathan, b. July 15, 1759. 

Eunice, b. ■ ; m. first, Thaddeus Winship, and second, Eben- 



ezer Steadman. 
Levi, b. Feb. 21, 1771 



154 



HISTOEY OF LEXINGTON. 



5-41- 



41-141 
142 



6-44- 



44-143 

144 

145 
146 

147 
148 
149 
150 

6-47- 



47-151 
153 



13-48- 



19-72- 



22-82- 



AxDREW MuNROE m. May 26, 1763, Mrs. Mary (Mixer) Si- 
monds, wid, of Daniel Simonds. He was in the French war, in 
1758, '59, and '60. He d. Sept. 15, 1766, and his wid. settled his 
estate. 

Andrew, b. March 13, 1764. 

Ishmael, b. Oct. 9, 1766, after the death of his father. This was the 

second posthumous child his mother had, — one by each husband. 

He m. Feb. 27, 1794, Elizabeth Skilton, both of Woburn. 



Jedediah Munroe m. Abigail Loring, dau. of Joseph and Lydia 
(Fiske) Loring. She was a twin with Mary, and a sister of Dea. 
Joseph Loring. He was a member of Capt. Parker's co., and rallied 
with his townsmen in defence of freedom on the 19th of April, 1775. 
He was wounded in the morning ; but his devotion to the cause was 
too deep-seated to be quenched by the first flow of blood. He 
marched with the co. toward Con. to meet the British on their re- 
treat, and was killed in the afternoon, aged 54. 

Daniel, b. Sept. 29, 1744 ; m. Abigail Parker of Roxbury, where he 

lived and died. 

Jedediah, b. ; m. Sarah Parker, and lived in Boston. 

Solomon, h. ; m. and lived in Boston. 

^Joseph, bap. Dec. 4, 1757 ; m. July 22, 1783, Rhoda Leath of 

Woburn. 

Dolly, bap. March 30, 1760; d. unm. 

Zacharias, ) . • , -r, i -inct S 
T7T J ii. } twins, bap. July 1, 1764; < , 
Llizabetn, ^ ' * •' ' ( ^- young. 

Elizabeth, b, ; m. March 23, 1789, Abel Walker of Woburn. 



John Munroe m. Dec. 23, 1747, Anna Kendall of Wo. He 
marched to the relief of Fort William-Henry, 1757. He was a mem- 
ber of Capt. Parker's company, and took part in the affairs on the 
19th of April, marched to Cambridge with the company on the day 
of the battle of Bunker Hill, and was in the campaign, in 1776, in 
the Jerseys, They were ad. to the ch. in Lexington on confession, 
in 1757. He probably resided in Wo. a portion of his life. 



Anna, b. Nov. 18, 1759. 
John, bap. July 21, 1767. 



152 Sarah, bap. July 21, 1767. 
154 Lydia, bap. July 22, 1767. 



Joseph Munroe m. Hannah . He was- in the French war, 

1755. He moved to Concord, and resided in that part of the town 
which was set off to form the town of Carlisle, and was one of the 
members of the ch, organized there in 1781. He had a family of six 
children, b, between 1742 and 1755, who settled in Carlisle and 
Acton ; except Joseph, who settled as a physician at Hillsboro', 
N. H., and d. Feb. 24, 1798. 



William Munroe d. 1755, aged 25 years, probably unm. His 
will, dated April 4, 1755, and proved Oct. 13, 1755, mentions brother- 
in-law Adam Caldwell of Bedford, and sisters Bridget and Hannah. 
He was a sergeant in the French war, in 1754 and 1755. 



John Munroe m. April 13, 1762, Lydia Bemis of Weston, dau. 
of John and Hannah Bemis. He was a member of the Lex. company 
in 1775. The record of his family is extremely defective. We find 
the mention of only one child, though he may have had more. He 
marched to Cambridge on the 17th of June, 1775. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



155 



82-155 



22-83- 



83-156 
157 
158 
159 



22-86- 



iyim, bap. May 17, 1767; m. Jan. 16, 1783, Jonathan Page of 
Lincoln. He afterwards resided in Charlestown, -where he kept a 
tavern of some note. He rose to the rank of colonel in the militia ; 
and during the war of 1812 was stationed in Boston Harbor, and 
superintended the erection of some of the fortifications. 



Stephen Munroe m. July 8, 1766, Nancy Perry of Wo. He 
was in the French war, 1762, was in the battle of Lex. 1775, and 
marched to Camb. on the 17th of June, at the time of the battle of 
Bunker Hill. He perhaps resided for a time in Wo. ; also in the 
State of Maine. He d. July 30, 1826, aged 87. 



Nancy, b. - 
Stephen, b. 
Joanna, b. • 
James, b. 



- ; m. Caldwell of Wobum. 

— ; r. in Concord. 

— ; m. Daniel Russell. 
; he was feeble-minded. He was an inmate of the 

almshouse, and disappeared mysteriously, leading to the suspicion 
that he might have been murdered. Human bones were found in 
the woods some twelve months afterwards, supposed to be bis. 
The mystery was never revealed. 



Ebenezer Munroe m. May 10, 1781,Lacy Simonds of Wo. He 
was a member of the Lex. minute men, and ready on the 19th of April 
to do battle in freedom's cause. He was wounded in the elbow in 
the morning, but mounted his horse and rode from town to town, 
alarming the people and rousing them to action, until quite exhausted 
by the loss of blood. He claimed to have fired the first gun on the 
American side. That he did return the fire is abundantly proved by 
the testimony of others. His own account is as follows: '* After the 
first fire (of the regulars) I received a wound in my arm ; as I turned 
to run, I discharged my gun into the m.ain body of the enemy. An- 
other ball passed between my arm and my body, and just marked my 
clothes ; one ball cut off a part of my ear locks, which were pinned 
up. The balls flew so thick, I thought there was no chance of escape, 
and that I might as well fire my gun, as stand still and do nothing." 
Deposition taken April 2, 1825. Ebenezer Munroe performed other 
duties in the Revolution, being one of the number who joined in the 
campaign in the Jerseys in 1776. 

He moved to Ashburnham soon after the dose of the war, where 
he was a lieutenant and a respectable citizen. He d. at Ashburnham 
1825, and his wid. m. John Adams as his second wife. Ebenezer 
Munroe was half-brother to Mr. Adams's first wife. Mr. Adams 
spent his youth in West Camb., went to Ashburnham previous to 
the Revolution, lived there till he was nearly 100, when he went to 
live with a son in Penn., and d. 1819, aged 104 years, 1 mo., 5 days. 
He retained his faculties to the last, and is said to have made a pair 
of shoes the day he was 104. 



-160 Charles, b. - 
162 Ebenezer, b. 



164 
166 



24-91- 



John, b. — 
Herrick, b. 



161 Lucy, b. — 
163 Jonas, b. - 
165 Rebecca, b. 



■ JosiAH Munroe m. Nov. 16, 1768, Susan Fitch of Bed. He was 
in the French war in 1762. He also served three months in the 
Jerseys, in 1776. He then entered the Continental Line, and served 
two and a half years. After the close of the war he drew land in 
what was afterward Ohio. He settled in Marietta in that State, where 



156 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



24-92- 



92-167 

168 
169 
170 
171 
172 
173 

174 
175 
176 



27-100- 



he was for a time post-master. He had at least one child b. in Lex, 
viz., Stisanna, bap. Nov. .10, 1771. They had another dau. and a 
son b. in Bedford, before he moved to Ohio. 



Nathan Munroe m. Oct. 3, 1769, Elizabeth Harrington, dau. of 
Henry and Sarah (Laughton) Harrington, b. Sept. 17, 1750, He 
was a member of Parker's minute men, and took part in the battle of 
Lex. in 1775. He resided on Monument street, where Mr. John 
Hudson now resides. His house received several balls, which were 
taken out subsequently, when the house was repaired. She d. Dec. 
24, 1812. 

Dolly, b. Nov. 18, 1769; m. Jan. 28, 1788, Elijah Pierce. 
Arethusa, b. Mar. 10, 1773; m. June 20, 1793, William Fox of Wo. 
Betsey, b. April 5, 1776 ; m. March 20, 1798, Munson Johnson. 
Jolin, b. June 15, 1778 ; m. a Macy in Nantucket, and r. there. 
\Nathan, h. Oct. 23, 1780 ; m. Susanna Loring. 
{Jonathan, b. May 26, 1783; m. Feb. 13, 1812. Rhoda Johnson. 
Polly, b. March 11, 1785; m. June 13, 1811, Thomas Hunnewell of 

Charlestown. 
Dorcas, h. March 31, 1788; m. Nov. 29, 1810, Leonard Brown. 
Thaddeus, b. Sept. 14, 1790 ; r. at Quincy, 111. 
Harris, b. May 29, 1793; d. in Dedham, 1829. 



Edmund Munroe m. Aug. 31, 1768, Rebecca Harrington, dau. 
of Jonathan and Abigail Harrington, b. Feb. 17, 1751. She was 
sister to Jonathan Harrington, who d. 1854, the last survivor of the 
battle of Lex. Edmund Munroe was distinguished as a military 
man Entering the Provincial service at an early age, he was pro- 
moted to an ensign in a corps of rangers commanded by Maj. Rogers, 
which performed signal service in the French war. In 1761, he was 
acting adjutant in Col. Hoar's regiment at Crown Point. In 1762, 
he received a commission from Gov. Bernard, as a lieutenant in His 
Majesty's service, and continued with the troops at Crown Point, 
Ticonderoga, and vicinity, till the peace of 1763. His kinsmen 
Robert and Abraham were oflicers in tiie same service with him. He 
not only served in the French and Indian war, but being enrolled in 
the company of Lex. minute men, he met the enemy on the 19th of 
April, and shared in the dangers of that day. But his devotion to 
the cause of the colony did not permit him to cease from effort when 
the oppressors were driven from his native village. Having served 
under Rogers and Hoar, the companions and co-laborers with Wolf 
and Barre and Putnam, he was not willing to confine his efforts to a 
limited Held. As early as August, 1776, we find him on his way to 
meet the British on the same fields where he had toiled with them in 
subduing the French and Indians. He was commissioned as lieuten- 
ant on the 12th of July, 1776, in Capt. Miles's co. and Col. Reed's 
regiment. On the 16th of the same month he was appointed quar- 
termaster, and destined to the northern frontier. In a letter addressed 
to his wife, dated Charlestown, N. H., Aug. 5. 1776, he says, "I 
have been used very well by the field officers of the regiment. We 
shall march from this place for Ticonderoga this day." 

On the first of January following, he received his commission a» 
captain in Col. Bigelow's regiment. He was with the Northern army 
under Gates, at Stillwater, Saratoga, and Bennington ; and so dis- 
tinguished himself that after the capture of Burgoyne he was pre- 
sented by his superior oflTicers with a pair of candle-sticks, — a part of 
the traveling equipage or tent ornaments of Gen. Burgoyne. 

The capture of Burgoyne transferred the seat of war to the Middle 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 157 

States ; and Capt. Munroe repaired to the Jerseys, and joined the 
army under Washington, where, on the 28th of June, 1778, he was 
slain on the field of Freehold, commonly called the Battle of Mon- 
mouth, The same cannon ball which deprived the country of the 
services of the gallant captain, killed George Munroe, his kinsman, 
and maimed for life Joseph Cox of Lexington, who was a wheel- 
wright by trade, and worked at that business in Roxbury, in 1790. 
He wore a wooden leg. 

The Burgoyne candlesticks of which we have spoken, together 
with a sword, a curious beaded Indian powder horn, several bead 
belts, pistols, &c., used by Capt. Munroe in the French war, were 
left by his widow, in 1834, to her son Edmund. 

When Capt. Munroe entered upon the command of a co. in the 
Continental line, he had in his co. fifteen men from Lex., viz., Ne- 
hemiah Estabrook, David Fiske, Pomp Blackman, Samuel Crafts, 
Jupiter Tree, Thaddeus Munroe, Amos Russell, George Munroe, 
Joseph Cox, David Simonds, Ebenezer Hadley, James Fowle, 
Thomas Hadley, Levi Mead, and Seth Read. 

Among these original papers left in the family is the oath of office, 
bearing the signature of Capt. Munroe, and that of the Baron de Kalb. 
We will give this document entire, with a fac-simile of their hands. 

I, Edmund Munroe, Captain in Col. Bigelow's regiment, do ac- 
knowledge the United States of America to be Free, Independent, 
and Sovereign States, and declare that the people thereof owe no 
allegiance to George, the Third, King of Great Britain ; and I re- 
nounce and abjure any allegiance or obedience to him ; and I do 
swear that I will to the utmost of my power support, maintain, and 
defend the said United States against the said King George the 
Third, his heirs and successors, and his or their abettors, assistants, 
and adherents ; and will serve the said United States in the office of 
Captain, which I now hold, with fidelity, according to. the best of my 
ability, skill, and understanding. 

^^u^^C^yT^, K^'lu^^^iyya -^^^7^ 

Sworn to, Camp at ? 

Valley Forge, May 18, 1778. $ 

Capt. Munroe was deliberately brave, without enthusiasm. Some 
of his letters evince this coolness. Writing to his wife from Valley 
For"-e, May 17, 1778, he says, " I am going on command to-morrow 
morning down to the enemy's lines. There are two thousand going 
on the command. I am of the mind, we shall have a dispute with 
them before we return^ He was forty-two years old at the time of 
his death. He was, like most men at that day who devoted them- 
selves to the public service, comparatively poor. He left a wid. and 
four children. She moved to West Camb., where she d. April 6, 
1834 aged 83. Honorable mention was made of her m an obituary 
notice, in the Boston Daily Advertiser of April 11, 1834, from 
78 



158 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



100-177 
178 
179 
180 



181 



27-103- 



103-182 



183 

184 

185 
186 
187 



which we extract the following: '* The worthy lady who is the sub- 
ject of this notice, with other families in Lexington, fled on the 19th 
of April, 1775, with their children, to the woods, while their husbands 
were engaged with the enemy, and their houses were sacked or in- 
volved in flames. Her husband was killed at Monmouth in New 
Jersey, June 28, 1778. On his bereaved partner, in the midst of 
discouragement, sorrows, and the privations of the times, devolved 
the task of rearing an infant family. The long life of this venerable 
lady was a pattern of domestic duties and virtue." 

Pamelia, b. Sept. 17, 1769 ; d. Sept. 29, 1770. 

Rebecca, b. June 27, 1771 ; m. 1795, Fessenden. 

Pamelia, b. Sept. 20, 1773 ; m. Jan. 19, 1800, James Brown'. 

Edmund, b. Oct. 13, 1775 ; was a printer by trade, established him- 
self in Boston, and was one of the publishing house of Munroe and 
Francis, and d. in Boston, unm., Feb. 9, 1854, aged 79. 

Abigail, b. Dec. 6, 1777 ; m. June 24, 1801, Joseph Locke, Jr. She 
d. May 14, 1838, aged 60. They resided at West Canab., and 
had eight children. 



34-126- 



WiLLiAM Munroe m. Anna Smith, dau. of Benjamin and Annai 
(Parker) Smith, b. March 31, 1743. She d. Jan. 2, 1781, aged 38, 
and he m. wid. Polly Rogers of Westford, whose first husband was 
killed at the Battle of Monmouth by the bursting of a cannon. Wil- 
liam Munroe was orderly sergeant of Capt. Parker's co. in 1775 ; it 
was under his direction that a guard was posted at Mr. Clarke's- 
house, on the evening of the 18th of April, 1775; and he paraded 
the men on the Common the next morning, in the very face of the 
British troops. The services he performed at the opening of the 
Revolution, were followed up by other services in the progress of the 
war. He was a lieutenant in the Northern army at the taking of 
Burgoyne, in 1777. He was a prominent citizen, and filled impor- 
tant town offices. He was selectman nine years, and represented the 
town two years. He was a colonel in the militia, and marched 
towards Springfield during Shay's Rebellion ; but the dispersion of 
the insurgents enabled him to return in a short time. Col. Munroe 
kept the public house, long known as the " Munroe Tavern." Here 
the^British regaled themselves, and committed many outrages on,the 
] 9th of April ; here they shot down in cold blood John Raymond, 
who was about leaving the house ; and here General Washingtoa 
dined in 1789, when he visited the first battle field of the Revolution. 
Col. Munroe's portrait will be seen on, the opposite page. He d.. 
Oct. 30, 1827, aged 85 ; she d. Jan. 10, 1829, aged 73. 

William, b. May 28, 1768 ; m. Susan B. Grinnell of New Bedford. 

He was killed at Richmond, Va., by the upsetting of a stage, 

in 1814. 
Anna, b. May 9, 1771 ; m. Sept. 20, 1798, Rev. William Muzzy of 

Sullivan, N. H., and d. In Lex. 1850, aged 70. 
Sarah, b. Oct. 21, 1773; m. Jonathan Wheelock of Con., and d. 

aged about 77. 
Lucinda, b. April 9, 1776 ; d. unm. June 2, 1863, aged 87. 
}Jonas, b. June 11, 1778; m. March 17, 1814, Abigail C. Smith. 
Edmund, b. Oct. 29, 1780 ; m. first, Harriet Downes, second, Lydia 

Downes, third, Sophia Sewall. He was a broker in Boston, and 

d. April 17, 1865. 



Philemon Munroe m. Feb. 17, 1784, Elizabeth Waite of Mai- 
den, b. Feb. 1766, and d. April 13, 1785. He m. second, Sept. 13,. 




IE. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



159 



126-188 



189 
190 



191 
192 
193 
194 
195 



34-127- 



127-196 
197 

198 
199 
200 

201 
202 
203 

38-128- 



128-205 
206 

207 
208 
209 



38-129- 



1786, Rhoda Mead, b. July 8, 1758, T^'ho d. Jan. 18, 1824. Phile- 
mon Munroe was one of the heroic band who refused to disperse at 
the bidding of Maj. Pitcairn, on the 19th of April,—" not being 
afraid of the king's commandment." He had two children (twins), 
by his first wife, and six by his last. He d. Oct. 17, 1806, aged 53.* 

Thomas, b. March 30, 1785. He m. March 30, 1804, Elizabeth 
Jewett of Littleton. She d. Nov. 23, 1848, aged 63, and he m. 
Aug. 26, 1849, wid, Matilda (Jewett) Conant. His wives were 
sisters, and dau. of Joseph Jewett of Littleton. Mr. Munroe 
resided in Lex., Milton, and Dorchester, and then moved to 
Nashua, N. H., where he filled many important town offices, as 
well as those of notary and justice of the peace. 

Elizabeth, b. March 30, 1785 ; m. April 24, 1804, Isaac Reed. 

Edwin, b. April 3, 1788 ; ra. Eliza Fowle, dau. of Henry and Re- 
becca Fowle of Med. They have resided in Lex., Med., Saugus, 
Charlestown, and Somerville. 

Josiah, b. Nov. 25, 1789 ; d. Aug. 20, 1837, unm. 

Catharine, b. July 24, 1791 ; m. Ira Thorp of Athol. 

Parnell, h. Nov. 27, 1793 ; d. 1821, aged 28. 

Charles, b. May 12, 1796 ; m. Maria Russell, r. at Somerville. 

//. G. Otis,h. Nov. 29, 1798; m. Dec. 12, 1822, Sophia Harrington. 
They reside in Boston, where he does business. 



WiLMAM Munroe m. 1781, Abigail Harrington, dau. of John and 
Mary (Wooton) Harrington. He d. April 30, 1837, aged 80; she 
d. Nov. 1, 1811. 

Susan, b. Oct. 19, 1781 ; m. 1801, Nathan B. Foster. 

William, b. May 18, 1785; m. Oct. 11, 1813, Lucy Frost. He 

moved to that part of Charlestown which is now Somerville. 
Enoch, b. Sept. 9, 1787 ; d. May 18, 1814, in Boston, aged 26. 
Sarah, b. Nov. 1789; m. Jesse Russell; r. in Woburn. 
Esther, b. 1792; d. in Belfast, Me., 1811, aged 19. Her death was 

caused by her clothes taking fire. 
Hannah, b. 1794 ; d. 1819, unm. 

Louisa, b. 1796; m. Nov. 13, 1825, Thomas J. Buckman of Lynn. 
Mary, b. 1798. 204 Harriet, b. 1805 ; d. 1822. 



George Munroe m. Anna Bemis. She d. Mar. 8, 1815, aged 78. 



- Sampson. 

Oct. 1, 1820, Rebecca Locke, and 



Anna, bap. May 13, 1759 ; m. — 
\Thaddeus, b. April 26, 1762; m 

d. 1846, aged 84. 
Abigail, bap. July 26, 1767 ; m. June 8, 1788, Joseph Blodgett. 
Hannah, bap. March 24, 1772 ; m. Bela Rice. 
Hepzibah, bap. Sept. 17, 1775 ; m. April 24, 1791, Joshua Wyman, 

He d. and she m. Daniels. 



Timothy Munroe m. Eaton of Reading. He probably 

moved to Lynn or Danvers, where he had a family of children, who 
settled in that neighborhood. He marched with the Danvers com- 
pany on the 19th of April, 1775, met the British at West Cambridge, 
where he and others were surrounded, when several of bis com- 
rades were killed, and he escaped with a ball in his thigh which he 
carried through life, and his garments riddled with bullet boles. He 
d. at Lynn, 1808, aged 72. 



leo 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



39-135- 



135-210 
211 
212 
213 

39-136- 



136-214 



215 



216 



217 



44-146- 



146-218 
219 
220 
221 
222 
223 

92-171- 



171-224 
225 

226 
227 

93-172- 



172-228 
229 
230 
231 



Ebenezer Munkoe tn. March 29, 1771, Martha Smith, dau. of 
Benjamin and Anna (Parker) Smith, b. April 19, 1745. He was 
enrolled with Parker's patriots, and was in the battle of Lexington, 
in 1775, and was also in the campaign in the Jerseys, in 1776. He 
d. Aug. 22, 1826, aged 82 ; she d. Oct. 13, 1834, aged 86. 

Patty, b. Feb. 19, 1772; m, Dec. 25, 1804, Isaac Pierce of Walt. 
Ebenezer, b. Feb. 2, 1777 ; d. June 6, 1798, aged 21 years. 
Esther, b. Oct. 1783 ; m. Jan. 19, 1806, David Tuttle ; d. Oct. 14, 1809. 
\Jolin, b. April 28, 1785 ; m. Charlotte Bacon. 



John Munroe m. Dec. 3, 1772, Rebecca Wellington, dau. of 
Thomas and Margaret, of Waltham. Like most of the young men 
of that day, he was one of the Lex. minute-men, and did service on 
the 19th of April, 1775. He lived on Woburn street. He d. April 
4, 1831, aged 82; she d. Feb. 16, 1838, aged 90. 

Margaret, b. July 31, 1773; m. Daniel Mixer of Walt., where they 
resided for a time, when they moved to Worcester. He d. and 
she returned to Lex. and m. April 4, 1793, Thomas Winship as a 
second wife. She d. 1789. 

Rebecca, b. May 30, 1776 ; m. Feb. 1, 1795, Jonathan Whittemore of 
West Cambridge. 

Marij, b. Aug. oO, 1779 ; m. Sept. 2, 1802, Seneca Harrington of 
Worcester. She was a wid. in Pepperell, 1858. 

Philena, b. May 27, 1782 ; m. Feb. 2, 1804, David Johnson. She 
is living in Lex., at the age of 85. 



Joseph Munroe m. July 22, 1783, Rhoda Leathe of Wo. He 
resided on Woburn street, easterly of Col. Russell's. She d, Jan. 
2, 1825 ; he d. Sept. 22, 1832, aged 74. 

Rlioda, b. Dec. 24, 1784 ; m. Cobbett. 

Seth, b. April 18, 1788. 

Lijdia, b. May 19, 1791 ; m. April 11, 1811, Joel Gleason of Bed. 

Jeptha, b. June 15, 1793 ; resided in Woburn. 

Dennis, b. Jan. 22, 1797 ; m. Elizabeth Fox. 

Lavinia, b. March 11, 1806. 



Nathan Munroe m. Susanna Loring. 
be then resided. 

Elhridge, b. July 28, 1804, at Lexington. 
Nathan, b. July 28, 1808, at Concord. 
Jonas Clarke, b. Sept. 22, 1812, at Lincoln. 
James, b. Feb. 27, 1817, at Concord. 



He d. in Concord, where 



Jonathan Munrob m. Feb. 13, 1812, Rhoda Johnson, dau. of 
Frederick and Rhoda (Reed) Johnson. She d. July 19, 1865, aged 
72 ; he d. Dec. 4, 1867, aged 85. 

William, b. Dec. 17, 1812; m. Dec. 1846, Elvira Merriam of Con., 
dau. of Joseph Merriam. They r. at Southbridge. 

Elizabeth, b. March 21, 1814; m. June 7, 1839, Francis Johnson of 
Wo. now Winchester, where they reside. 

Josiah, b. Oct. 21, 1818; m. Oct. 10, 1847, Adeline Dodge of Bos- 
ton. They reside in Roxbury. 

Faustina, b. Feb. 1, 1821; m. June 12, 1859, Frederick Stimpson, 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



161 



232 
233 



103-186- 



186-234 
235 
236 

237 

128-206- 



206-238 
239 



136-213- 



213-240 
241 
242 
243 
244 
245 

246 

247 



186-237- 



237-248 
250 

206-238- 



238-251 
253 
254 

213-243- 



243-256 
258 



Albert, b. May 2, 1824; m. April 12, 1850, Elizabeth Millet of Wo. 
Julia Maria, b. Dec. 31, 1832 ; d. Sept. 25, 1833. 



Jonas Munroe m. March 17, 1814, Abigail C. Smith, dau. of 
Joseph and Lucy (Stone) Smith. He was a lieutenant in United 
States dragoons, in 1807, resigned his commission, and on the 
breaking out of the war of 1812, was commissioned as lieutenant of 
infantry, and was engaged for a short time in the recruiting service. 
He was drowned at Somerville, while bathing, July 2, 1860, aged 82. 
His wid. d. April 4, 1861, aged 68. He kept the " Munroe Tavern " 
and was extensively and favorably known to the traveling public. 

William Henry, b. Mar. 2, 1815. He is doing business in Philad. 
Harriet, b. Nov. 25, 1816 ; is now living, unm. 
Abby Smith, b. Aug. 28, 1819; d. Dec. 21, 1822. 
] James S., b. June 6, 1824; m. Alice B. Phinney. 



Thaddeus Munroe m. Oct. 1, 1820, Rebecca Locke, dau. of 
Thomas and Lydia (Reed) Locke. He d. April 7, 1846, aged 84, 
and she d. July 23, 1846. He was a large landholder. 

\Geor(/e, b. Feb. 25, 1822. He has been twice mamed. 
Ann Rebecca, b. July 10, 1825; m. March 19, 1846, John M. Ran- 
dall, a lawyer, settled at Woburn. He is not living. 



John Munroe m. Dec. 
d. Feb. 17, 1865, aged 79. 



11, 1811, Charlotte Bacon of Wo. He 
She is living, in her seventy-sixth year. 



John Harrison, b. June 3, 1813. He r. at Fall River. 

Charles Henry, b. Aug. 10, 1814; d. at Buffalo, July 17, 1850. 

Harriet, b. April 29, 1816 ; d. Feb. 2, 1835. 

]Ebenezer, b. Dec. 3, 1817 ; m. Margaret M. Wilson. 

Jonas, b. Sept. 10, 1819 ; d. Aug. 15, 1843. 

Lavinia, b. Oct. 16, 1821; m. April 4, 1839, Galen Allen. She d. 

April 22, 1865, and he d. Jan. 29, 1864. 
Oliver, b. April 10, 1825 ; d. May 4, 1857. 
Charlotte, b. March 28, 1827 ; m. George Mulliken. She d. Dec. 

8, 1861. 



James S. Munroe m. May 23, 1854, Alice B. Phinney, dau. of 
Elias Phinney, Esq. 



William, b. March 23, 1855. 
James, b. June 3, 1862. 



249 John C, b. March 26, 1858. 



George Munroe m. Dec. 13, 1846, Eliza Wood. She d. Aug. 
7, 1852, and he m. Nov. 7, 1854, Susan P. Winning. 

JRebecca Eliza, h. Oct. 6, 1847. 252 Oeorgiana, b. Jan. 8, 1850. 

George Warren, b. Aug. 3, 1855 ; d. Sept. 2, 1857. 

Mary Alice, b. Sept. 7, 1857. 255 Elmin<}, b. Dec. 18, 1860. 



Ebenezer Munroe m. Nov. 26, 1850, Margaret M. Wilson. 
She d. Feb. 4, 1860 ; he d. Jan. 5, 1868, aged 50. 

Julia Maria, b. April 17, 1852. 257 Robert, b. Aug. 10, 1854. 
Anne S., b. Nov. 26, 1855; d. Jan. 28, 1856.. 



162 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 



2- 3 

4 
5 
6 



2-4- 



THE MUZZY FAMILY. 

The IMuzzys were early in Lexington, and were for a century and 
a half among the leading influential families in the place. The name 
is spelled Mussy, Muzzy, and the Lex. families have recently added 
the e in the last syllable, Muzzey. 

Benjamix Muzzy of Maiden m. Alice Dexter, and had Benjamin, 
b. April 16, 1657 ; Joseph, b. March 1, 1659. He may have been 
son of Robert of Ipswich, one of the first settlers of that town, who 
was made freeman, 1634. 

Benjamin Muzzy m. first, Sarah , who d. in Lex. Jan. 28, 

1710, aged 50 years, and ra. second, Jane . What time he 

came to Cambridge Farms, we are not able to say. We find a 
record of the birth of Mary Muzzy, dau. of Benjamin and Sarah, in 
Cambridge, in 1683 ; but whether he lived at that time in the old 
town or at the Farms, is uncertain. His name is found on the ear- 
liest records at the Farms or North Precinct, — he being one of the 
subscribers for the first meeting house, in 1692, and was one of the 
largest tax payers the following year. As he was a large land-holder 
in the centre of the town, at the organization of the Parish in 1693, 
it is probable that he had been in the place for some time. In 1693, 
he was placed on a committee with David Fiske, sen., Samuel Stone, 
sen., and others, to negotiate with Cambridge for the purchase of a 
tract of land for the support of the ministry. He was constable in 
169-1, and an assessor in 1700. He filled the dignified office of tyth- 
ingman in 1716. In 1711, the inhabitants of the Precinct purchased 
of Benjamin Muzzy about two acres of land for a Common, and a 
site for a meeting house. This was done by subscription, in which 
he and his sons John and Richard participated. He resided on or 
near the spot where Rufus Merriam now resides. Here was opened 
the first public house in the place, his son John being licensed for 
that purpose in 1714. He d. May 12, 1732, possessed of a large 
landed property. The inventory of his estate mentions his mansion 
house, barn, cider mill, and a homestead of 111 acres. Among the 
articles appraised were three slaves, — a man, valued at £80, and a 
woman and child at £60. The record of his family is incomplete. 
He bought his homestead of Edward Pelham of Rhode Island, 1693. 
It is described as bounded by John Munroe, ministerial land, Matthew 
Bridge, and extending to Vine Brook. 

Mary, b. July 13, 1683. 

\John, b. 1685 ; d. March 8, 1768. 

^Benjamin, b. Feb. 20, 1689 ; m. Patience . 

Richard, b. . He was drowned, in a pond in Maine, 1719, 

unm. He owned real estate in Lexington. 
\Amos, bap. Jan. 7, 1699 ; m. Esther Green. 
Bethia, bap. June 1701 ; ra. Ebenezer Fiske, as his second wife. 
Thomas, bap. Sept. 1, 1706 ; d. Nov. 26, 1740. 



John Muzzy m. first, July 12, 1709, Elizabeth Bradshaw of 
Med. She d. Feb. 22, 1722, aged 33 years. He m. second, Dec. 
1, 1722, Rebecca Ingham, who d. July 12, 1731, aged about 40 ; and 

he m. third, Mary , who d. March 9, 1758, aged 66. He d. 

March 28, 1768, aged 83. He was either born in Lex., or came in 
with his father in early infancy. He opened the first public house in 
the place, in 1714, which he continued for a long period. He filled 
many town offices, being constable in 1727, school committee in 1733, 
selectman in 1741, '42, '44, and assessor in 1746. He was ad. to the 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



163 



4-10 

11 
12 
13 
14 
15 

16 



17 



2-0- 



ch. Aug. 24, 1735. In his will, dated 1764, and a codicil dated 1765, 
he mentions dau. Mary Hall, Sarah Hill, and Jane Stone, and sons 
John and Benjamin. He made his son-in-law, Samuel Stone, execu- 
tor of his will. He not only owned land in Lex., but Avas an owner 
of land in Templeton, having as a proprietor, drawn a lot of forty 
acres in that township, in 1735. This land he gave to his sons Ben- 
jamin and John. 

Elizabeth, bap. April 23, 1710; m. John Hovey and d. at Camb. 

Dec. 1729, aged 19. 
Mary, bap. May 18, 1712; m. Stephen Hall. 
John, b. May 12, 1714. 
Sarah, b. July 6, 1716 ; m. Jacob Hill. 
Jane, b. July 4, 1719 ; m. Samuel Stone. 
Elizabeth, b. Dec. 17, 1734; m. April 29, 1756, Francis Falkner of 

Acton. She d. in three weeks after marriage. 
Benjamin, b. Oct. 29, 1736 ; probably went to Sudbury, where he 

m. July 30, 1761, Elizabeth Witherbee of Stow. 
Abigail, bap. May 10, 1739. 

Benjamin Muzzy m. Patience . He d. Jan. 29, 1764, aged 

8-4, and she d. Oct. 7, 1767, aged 80. Their deaths are inscribed on 
one stone in the Lex. grave yard. He was frequently called to fill 
town offices, being from time to time chosen school committee, &c. 
His will, dated Feb. 19, 1763, and proved Feb. 13, 1764, mentions 
wife Patience, Sdiis Joseph and John, and dau. Esther Merriam, 
Mary Keed, and grandsons Benjamin, James, Seth, and Benoni, 
"'^niamin, deceased. His son John was appointed executor 
' ••'» he gave all his land and buildings in Lex. 



^•:^(. 



2,yj 
21 

22 



2-7- 



7-23 
24 
25 
26 



Mary, u^j,. 
Benjamin, b 



Merriam. 
S4. 

innah Discern, and moved 
le ch. July. 1753. Their 



to Shrewsbury, where the_) . ^ . 

children were Benjamin and Hannai., pair of twins, who were 
bap. Aug. 15, 1753, James, bap. Jan. 2, 1757, Seth, bap. Oct. 8, 
1758, Benoni, bap. April 26, 1760. 



Amos Muzzy m. Sept. 26, 1734, Esther Green, dau. of Samuel 
and Esther Green. He d. June 26, 1752. His wid. ni. March 4, 
1758, Thomas Prentice, Esq., of Newton. Mr. Muzzy died pos- 
sessed of a large property for that period. Among his chattels were 
a male and female negro— the former inventoried at £350, and the 
latter at £100. His homestead is thus described : *' The home land, 
containing by estimation eighty-two acres, with a mansion house and 
barn ancf corn house upon it, consisting of pasturage, mowing, 
ploughing, orchard, and woodland, lying upon both sides of the 
great county road leading to Concord." This mansion house was on 
or near the spot where David W. Muzzey now resides, and the land 
extended down upon Waltham street, to what is now called Grape 
Vine Corner. He also owned land in Woburn and Townsend. He 
was an assessor in 1744, and a selectman in 1750. 

Esther, b. July 11, 1735 ; d. Oct. 9, 1789, nnra. 

Sarah, b. March 30, 1737 ; m. Oct. 19, 1758, Bezaleel Lawrence. 

Amos, b. June 7, 1739 ; d. July, 1740. 

\Amo3, b. May 24, 1741 ; m. Nov. 29, 1764, Abigail Bowprs. 



164 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



27 
28 
59 
30 
31 



5-18- 



18-32 
34 
35 



6-20- 



20-37 



7-26- 



\Waiiam, b. July 31, 1743; m. Lydia Reed. 

Samuel, h. July 12, 1745; d. Aug. 23, 1747. 

Bethiah, b. July 8, 1747 ; m. Nov. 16, 1769, Thaddeus Brown. 

Mary, b. Sept. 8, 1749. 

Benjamin, b. Jan. 25, 1752. lie was grad. II. C. 1774, sailed from 

Boston, Sept. 1777, in the privateer Hero Revenge as chaplain, 

and was lost at sea. 



Joseph Muzzy m. Lois . We have been able to learn but 

little of this family. He was ad. to the ch. June 9, 1728. He was a 
house-holder in 1735, and was taxed the following years for real 
estate. 

Lois, bap. Oct. 12, 1735. 33 Sarah, bap. Jan. 8, 1738. 

Joseph, b. Aug. 26, 1740 ; probably went to Shrewsbury. 
Abigail, bap. July 28, 1745. 36 Nathan, b. May 12, 1751. 

They may have had other children. Some of these probably d. in 
infancy. In 1769, we have a record of the death of Joseph Muzzy's 
child. 



John Muzzy m. first, Rebecca Reed, dau. of Maj. Benjamin and 
Rebecca Reed, who was b. Nov. 5, 1724. She d. Jan. 24, 1771, 
and he m. second, Aug. 19, 1773, Mrs. Rebecca Munroe, wid. of 
Jonas Munroe, a grandson of the first William. He d. Dec. 16, 
1784, and she d. Jan. 14, 1839, aged 85. He was one of the Lex. 
company who met the enemy in 1775. He was also two months with 
the army at Cambridge, during the siege of Boston, in 1776. 

Isaac, bap. Dec. 6, 1744. He was ad. to the ch. Nov. 17, 1771. 

He was one of the heroes who fell, a prey to British aggression, 

on the Common at Lex. April 19, 1775. His name is preserved 

on the Monument. 

Rebecca, b. ; d. unm. 

Mary, b. June 3, 1748; m. Aug. 31, 1769, Silas Fuller. 
jEbenezer, bap. July 8, 1750; m. Betty Reed. 

Abigail, b. ; drowned in a tub of water, at the age of 2 years. 

\John, b. . 1754. 

Abigail, bap. Feb. 1, 1756 ; m. Nov. 20, 1780, Abel Winshlp. They 

resided in Bedford. 
Thaddeus, bap. Sept. 25, 1757 ; d. 1785, unm. 

Eunice, b. ; m. Ebenezer Estabrook of Holden. 

Betty, bap. Aug. 10, 1761 ; m. March 14, 1786, Joshua Stearns of 

Princeton. They moved to New Ipswich, N. H. 

John Muzzy and his first wife had several other children, who d. 
in early infancy. 



26-47 
48 



Amos Muzzy m. first, Aug. 29, 1764, Abigail Bowers of Billerlca. 
They were ad. to the ch. June 26, 1766. She d. March 15, 1803, 
aged 58 years, and he m. second, Abigail Smith, wid. of Capt. Joseph 
Smith, Dec. 25, 1806. She d. Feb. 18, 1814, aged 63, and he d. 
Dec. 10, 1822, aged 82. Amos Muzzy and his two wives were 
placed in a tomb in the church yard in Lex., covered with a slab 
bearing this inscription : *' The northwest corner of this tomb is 
reserved for Mr. Amos Muzzy and wives, and no other corpse to 
be laid there." He was in the Battle of Lex. 1775, and in 1776 was 
five months at Ticonderoga, and three months at Camb. 1778. 

\Amos, b. April 19, 1766 ; m. Lydia Boutelle. 
Josiah, bap. Nov. 7, 1767 ; d. Nov. 26, 1767. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



165 



49 

50 



7-27- 



27-51 
52 



Ahu/ail, b. Mav 27, 1769 ; m. 1800, Thomas Conant of Boston. 
^William, b. May 25, 1771 ; d. April 16, 1835. 



William Muzzy ra. Nov. 29. 1764, Lydia Reed of Charlestown. 
They were ad. to the cb. IMay 18, 1766. He d. Nov. 20, 1770. 

Lydia, bap. July 26, 1767 ; m. Dec. 25. 1788, Nathan Brown. 
Mary, bap. Jan. 7, 1770 ; m. Feb. 24, 1796, Daniel Marrett, minister 
in Standish, Me. 



20-40- 



40-53 
54 
5o 



5G 



57 



58 



20-42- 



42-59 
60 
61 

26-47- 



47-62 
63 
64 
65 



Ebenezer Muzzy m. June 6, 1774, Betty Reed, dau. of Joshua 
and Susanna Reed. They commenced life in Lex., but afterwards 
moved to Rindf!;e, N. H., where most of their children were born. 
They returned to Lex., where he d. March 29, 1804, and she d. March 
12, 1846, at the advanced age of 91. 

j Isaac, b. April 5, 1775. 

Betsey, b. ; m. Jonas Reed and moved to Heath. 

Nahhy, b. ; m. John Parker and moved to Phillipston, where 

she d. He afterwards came came back to Lex. and m. Esther 
Reed, dau. of Thaddeus Reed, and moved to Nashua, N. H. 

Joshua, b. . He was killed by falling from a tree, when about 

eight years of age. 

Thaddeus, b. 1781; m. Mrs. ]\Lary Patch of Boston, where they 
lived. He was drowned in Boston Hai'bor, by the upsetting of a 
boat, June 15, 1815. aged 31 years. She d Dec. 7, 1816, aged 32. 

John,h. Nov. 19, 1794; m. Nov. 19, 1816, Lydia More, dau. of 
Thomas D. More of Boston. They resided in the city till 1854, 
when they came to Lex. They had two children, — the first d. in 
early infancy, the other, John M., b, July 18, 1819, and d. April 
5, 1839, aged 20 years. He d. Dec. 30, 1864, aged 70 years ; she 
d. Dec. 20, 1862, aged 66. 



John Muzzy m. May 2, 1777, Rebecca, dau. of Jonas and Re- 
becca Munroe. She was the dau. of his step-mother. He was in 
the army in the Jei'seys in 1776, and also at Ticonderoga the same 
year. 

Mary, b. Dec. 14, 1777 ; m. Aug. 30, 1798, Nathan Reed, Jr. 
\John, b. Dec. 22. 1780. 
\Jonas M., b. July 18, 1782. 



Amos Muzzy m. Lydia Boutelle, dau. of Timothy Boutelle of 
Leominster. Thoy were ad. to the ch. April 28, 1798. He was 
chosen deacon April 14, 1822. He d. May 20, 1829 ; she d. Dec. 
24, 1838. 

Elmira, b. Oct. 21, 1791; m. Oct. 12, 1817, Charles Reed. 

^Benjamin, b. Dec. 13. 1795 ; m. 1822, Elizabeth Wood. 

Lydia, b. June 11, 1799; m. Oct. 29, 1818, Samuel Chandler. 

Artemas Bowers, b. Sept. 21, 1802; he grad. PL C. 1824, studied 
theology, was ordained at Framingliam, June 10, 1830, left in 
1833, and in 1834 was installed at Cambridgeport, left in 1846, 
and the same year was settled over the Lee street ch. in Cam- 
bridgeport, resigned his situation, and in 1854 was settled over 
the Seconil Congregational Church in Concord, N. H. He m. 
June 26, 1831, Hepsabeth Patterson of Boston, dau. of Enoch 
Patterson, p]sq., by whom he had several children. His oldest 
son, Henry W. Muzzy, read law, and is now in practice in Boston. 
79 



166 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



QQl Abigail, b. Nov. 26, 1804; ra. Sept. 11, 1834, Samuel Chandler. 
67 A7nos Otis, b. June 14, 1808 ; d. Jan. 20, 1812. 



26-50- 



40-53- 



53-68 
69 

70 

42-60- 



60-71 



42-61- 



61-72 



73 
74 



47-63- 



WiLLiAM Muzzy m. Sept. 20, 1798, Anna Munroe. He was 
grad. H. C. 1793, and was ordained at Sullivan, N. H., Feb. 7, 
1798. He left in 1828, and returned to Lex. with his family, where 
he d. April 16, 1835 and she d. June 19, 1850, aged 79. They had 
five children b. in Sullivan, two of whom d. 1814 of the spotted lever. 
William, b. June 30, 1804, lives at Philadelphia; Emily, b. Nov. 
1800, d. unm. ; Ahbij Ann, b. June 15, 1806, m. Aug. 4, 1835, Dea. 
William Brigham, resides in Lexington. 



Isaac Muzzy m. Mary Boutelle of Maiden, 
and she d. Aug. 2, 1849, aged /I. 



He d. Aug. 1, 1842, 



^Charles, b. May 12, 1804; d. Aug. 27, 1853. 

Thomas, b. March, 1808. 

Mary Ann, b. April 15, 1811 ; m. Ebenezer Hosmer. 



63-75 



76 

77 



John Muzzy m. Oct. 1811, Rebecca Lincoln of Hingham, dau. 
of Seth and Mary (Fearing) Lincoln. She was b. Oct. 26, 1789, 
and was descended, both on her father's and mother's side, from two 
of the oldest families of that town. He resided on the Concord road, 
and d. Dec. 1843. After the death of her husband, she returned to 
Hingham, where she was living, 1859. 

Julia A., b. Nov. 4, 1815. She resides in Hingham with her mother, 
unmarried. 



Jonas M. Muzzy m. June 12, 1816, Abigail Dunklee of Milford, 
N. H. He resided near the Common, in the house now occupied by 
Simon W. Robinson, Esq. He d. Dec. 10, 1846. His widow resides 
in Hingham. 

Louisa C, b. June 1, 1818; m. Dec. 22, 1836, Seth L. Hobart of 
Hingham, and has had Alice L., b. 1837; Caroline H., b. 1842; 
Elsa W., b. 1846; Marion L., b. 1854. 

William P., b. Feb. 14, 1822; d. July 16, 1844. 

Fr-anscena S., b. April 25, 1833. 



78 



Benjamin Muzzey m. June 19, 1822, Elizabeth Wood of New- 
buryport. He d. suddenly at the Exchange Coffee House in Boston, 
where he was called on business, April 21, 1848. He commenced 
business in Boston as a trader, where he remained till about 1830, 
when he came to Lex. He was a leading popular man in the town, 
filled important town offices, and was a justice of the peace. The 
Lexington railroad is a standing monument of his public spirit and 
energy of character. 

Charles 0., b. in Boston, Aug. 17, 1824. He entered in the navy in 
the late rebellion, Nov. 1861, as secretary to Capt. Pickering, 
U. S. Steamer Kearsarge, was transferred to the steamer Housa- 
tonic. May, 1803, and was killed by the explosion of a torpedo in 
Charleston Harbor, which destroyed the ship, Feb. 18, 1864. 

S7isan Elizabeth, b. in Boston, July 21, 1826; d. Sept. 12, 1827. 

Helen Elizabeth, b. in Boston, June 25, 1828; m. Nov. 22,1854, 
Richard F. Hooper of Charlestown. 

Loring W., b. in Lex. Aug. 28, 1831. He entered the service in 
1861, in the 12lh Regt., promoted to Quartermaster, May, 1862 — 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



167 



79 
80 
81 



53-68- 



to captain and commissary of subsistence, March, 1864— and to 
major and commissary of subsistence, July, 1865. 

David Wood, b. July lU, 1833; m. Dec. 13, 1860, Anna W. Saville, 
dau. of David and Anna Saville. They have one child, viz Ben- 
jamin, b. Sept. 19, 1866. 

Georr/e Eveleth, h. Aug. 4, 1838. He entered the 12th Regt. Mass. 
Vols. 1861, was appointed quartermaster-sergeant 1862, promoted 
to first lieutenant, 1863, and quartermaster, 1864. 

Benjamin Lyman, b. Nov. 14, 1840; d. March 13, 1855. 
Ihe three sons living are engaged in business in Boston. 



Charles Muzzy m. Feb. 3, ]827, Sarah Oakes of Maiden. He 
was a trader, and moved to Philadelphia in 1829, and came back to 
West Camb. in 1834, where he was in trade at the " Foot of the 
Rocks," for several years, when he moved to Charlestown. In 1853, 
his health declining, he came to Lex., in hopes of recovery, but d. 
Aug. 27, 1853. They had but one child, Sarah Elizabeth, h. in 
Phil. June 6, 1834. She m. in Lex. April 5, 1855, George Tuttle, 
who d. Jan. 27, 1856, within a vear of his marriage. 



NASII.— Joseph Nash, of Weymouth, had among other children 
Joseph, who m. Eunice Ford, and had James, Joseph, Nathaniel, 
Charles, Atherton, and Oran, and several daughters. 

Okan Nash, the youngest son of Joseph and Eunice, b. March 19, 
1805, m. Oct. 12, 1822, Lucy Cushing of Weymouth, dau. of Samuel 
and Elizabeth. They resided in Boston, where all their children but 
the youngest were born. They came to Lex. 1835. They have had 
five children, viz. 'Emeline Augusta, b. April 11, 1827; Elizabeth, b. 
April 7, 1829, d. 1830; Howard A., b. July 18, 1831, m. Elizabeth 
Sutton, r. at Cincinnati, Ohio ; Bowena, h. Dec. 30, 1833; Ellen 
Louisa, b. in Lex. Oct. 20, 1840. 



THE NELSON FAMILY. 

The name of Nelson appears first upon our records in 1722, when 
Takitha Nelson, wife of Thomas, was ad. to the ch. In 1724, 
Thomas was chosen to a subordinate town office, which shows that 
he was an inhabitant of the town at that time ; in 1730, he had a seat 
assigned in the meeting house, and in 1743, he was constable. He 
resided on the road to Concord, above what is now known as the old 
Viles Tavern, near what was then the line of Concord. When the 
town of Lincoln was created, in 1754, he and others were taken from 
Lex. to constitute that town. The Nelsons of Lincoln are from that 
stock. They were connected by marriage with the Hastings of Lex. 
The children of Thomas and Tabitha Avere Thomas and Tabitha, 
twins, b. Dec. 19, 1721, and Josiah, bap. in 1726. 

Thomas Nelson first named was b. in Rowley, 1685 ; he was son 
of Thomas, b. in Rowley, 1661 ; who was son of Thomas, b. in Eng., 
who came over with his father, Thomas, in 1638, and settled in 
Rowley. 



THE NORCROSS FAMILY. 

Jeremiah Norcross, who settled in Wat. as early as 1642, had 
Richard, who by wife Mary had Nathaniel, b. 1665, who m. Mehita- 
bel Hager, and had a son bearing his own name. This Nathaniel, 



168 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



b. 1695, m. 1717, Jemima Abbott, and had among other children, 
Josiah, b. 1734, m. Jan. G, 1754, Elizabeth Child, They both died 
1801. They had nine children. John, their sixth child, b. May, 
1771, m, Margaret Everett. He d. 1823, and she d. 1843. They 
had Eliza, b. 1798, d. young; John, b. 1801, d. young; John, b, 
Sept. 28, 1803; Anna M., b. 1805, ra. John English of Boston. 

John Norcross, son of John and Margaret, m. April 22, 1826, 
Eleanor Estabrook, dau. of Eliakim and Hannah Estabrook. He 
came to Lex. in 1846, and has been to the present day depot-master 
at East Lexington, — a term of service which furnishes the best evi- 
dence of his fitness and fidelity. 



Eleanor M., h. Jan. 13, 1827 ; m. Dec. 14, 1848, James Prentice of 
West Cambridge. 

Eliza J., b. July 27, 1830; m. 1856, Leroy Chappell. 

Samuel T., b. Sept. 5, 1834. He was residing at the West, where 
he had accumulated some property. His health failing, he had 
converted his property into money and started, in a weak and 
enfeebled condition, for home. A villain, who had learned the 
facts in the case, ingratiated himself into his favor, and volunteered 
to become his protector ; and when the train had ari-ived at a sta- 
tion in Altona, Pa., in the night time, he induced Norcross to leave 
the car and go with him, promising to conduct him to good quar- 
ters for the night ; and when he had enticed him to a place of 
seclusion, he basely murdered him, Jan. 16, 1857. The murderer 
was ultimately arrested, tried, and executed. 

John Eenry, b. Oct. 29, 1841 ; m. June 6, 1866, Cynthia J. White 
of Medford, where they reside. 



THE NUTTING FAMILY. 

There was a family o£ Nuttings in Camb. Farms about the time the 
parish was organized. Euenezer Nutting was taxed in the parish 
in 1693. He and his wife owned the covenant in June, 1699, when 
Jonathan, Lydia, and Sarah, their children, were bap. Ebenezer 
and James, also children of Ebenezer, were bap. May 30, 1703. 
After this the name disappears on our records. 



OVERING.— In 1729, JohnOvering of Boston, bought of William 
Russell of Lex., for £308, a tract of fifty-one acres of land, with 
buildings thereon, bounded on land of Jason and Philip Russell and 
Joseph Mason. In 1735 and 1737, he sold lands to Dea. Joseph 
Brown, and in 1738, he bought lands in Lex. of David Comee. John 
Overing of Lex. was probably a son of John Overing, Esq., of 
Boston. He probably came to Lex. about 1730. He must have 
been a man of some pretension, for in 1735 he was taxed in town 
for three houses, two slaves, three cows, and two horses, besides 
other personal and real estate. He probably left town about 1740. 
We find no records of his family, though he probably had one. We 
have a record of the death of three of the name, who were probably 
his children, or perhaps one of them was his wife. Eenry Overing, 
d. Aug. 6, 1738; Eenrietta Overing, d. Sept. 13, 1738; Oeorge 
Overing, d. Sept. 17, 1738. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



169 



1- 2 

3 
4 
6 
8 
10 
11 



12 



1-3- 



3-13 
14 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 

3-12- 



THE PARKER FAMILY. 

Parher lias always been a common name in New Eno-land. Emi- 
grants of that name were found in most of the early^ settlements. 
The oft repeated fiction of three brothers coming over and settlin"- in 
three different towns, will not meet the present case ; for we find 
Abraham and Amariah and Edmund and George and Jacob and 
James and Joseph and Matthew and Nicholas and Robert and 
Thomas and two or more Williams and as many Johns, appearing in 
nearly as many of the different settlements at an early day. This 
name has been common in Reading, Groton, Billerica, Woburn, and 
other towns in this vicinity. But it is believed that the Lexington 
Parkers are the descendants of 

Thomas Parker of Lynn, who was made freeman in 1637. He 
embarked at London, March 11, 1635, and settled in Lynn the same 
year. He moved to Reading, where he aided in establishing a 
church, of which he was a deacon. He had by his wife. Amy, a 
family of eleven children. He d. 1683, aged 74 years, and conse- 
quently must have been born in 1609. She d. Jan. 15, 1690. 

TJwmas, b. 1636; d. June 9. 1699. 

\Hananiah, b. 1638 ; d. March 10, 1724, aged 86. 

John, b. 1640; d. Feb. 28, 1699. 5 Joseph, b. 1642, d. 1644. 

Josejih, b. 1645; d. 1646. 7 Mary, b. March 12, 1647. 

Martha, b. March 14, 1649. 9 Nathaniel, b. May 16, 1651. 

Sarah, b. Sept. 30, 1653 ; d. Oct. 16, 1656. 

Jonathan, b. May 18, 1656 ; m. Sept. 24, 1677, Bethia Polly, and 

had fourteen children. 
Sarah, b. May 23, 1658. 



Hananiah Parker m. Sept. 30, 1663, Elizabeth Brown. She 
d. 1698, and he m. second, Mrs. Mary Bright, widow of Dea. John 
of Wat. He d. March 10, 1724 ; she d. Jan. 4, 1736, aged 87. He 
lived and died in Reading, and had the honorable title ot Lieutenant. 

\John, b. Aug. 3, 1664; m. Deliverance . 

Samuel, b, Oct. 24, 1666. 15 Elizabeth, b. June, 1668. 

Sarah, b. Feb. 6, 1672; d. Oct. 2, 1673. 
Hananiah, b. Nov. 2, 1674 ; d. Oct. 2, 1675. 

Ebenezer, b. Feb. 13, 1676 ; ra. Rebecca . 

Mary, b. ; m. Poole. 

Hananiah, b. April 30, 1681. 



John Parker m. 1689, Deliverance . They came to Lex, 

about 1712, and settled in the south part of the town. By a deed, 
dated June 25, 1712, John Cutler sold to John Parker, then of 
Reading, land at Camb. Farms, containing " one small mansion 
house and sixty acres of land, bounded southerly on Watertown 
line," elsewhere by Daniel White, John Stone, and Thomas Cutler. 
He was chosen fence viewer in 1714, and tythingman in 1715 and 
1721. He must have been a man of dignity of character; for in 
seating the meeting house, 1731, where they had reference to age, 
honor, and property, they placed him in the second seat below, with 
Ensign John Mason, Thomas Mead, and other highly respectable 
citizens. She d. March 10, 1718, and he d. June 22, 1741, aged 78. 
There is scarcely a prominent family in Lex. whose record in every 
period of its history is so incomplete. This accounts for any inac- 
curacy, if any should be found. 



170 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



13-21 

22 
23 
24 
25 



13-22- 



22-26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 

35 



13-23- 



23-38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 

22-27- 



27-46 
47 
48 
49 
60 
61 



Hananinh., b. Oct. 10, 1691 ; d. at Port Roval, 1711. 

\ Andrew, b. Feb. 14, 1693 ; m. Aug. 2, 1720, Sarah Whitney. 

\Josiali, b. April 11, 1694; m. Dec. 8, 1718, Anna Stone. 

Mary, b. Dec. 4, 1695. 

Eddie, b. Aug. 19, 1697 ; d. 1709. 

These births are recorded in Reading, where they occurred, and 
are also found on the Lex. records. 



Andrew Parker m. Aug, 2, 1720, Sarah Whitney, dau. of 
Josiah Whitney, b. April, 1703. Nov. 4, 1724, they made their 
peace with the ch., when three of their children were bap. They 
were ad. to the ch. 1728. She d. Dec. 18, 1774, aged 70, and he d. 
April 8, 1776, aged 83. 

Sarah, b. Feb. 9, 1721 ; m. June 21, 1739, Jabez Kendall. 

■\Jonas, b. Feb. 6, 1722 ; m. Lucy . 

\Amos, b. July 27, 1723 ; m. Anna . 

Elizabeth, bap. Aug. 22, 1725 ; d. young. 

\ Thomas, bap. Dec. 24, 1727 ; m. Jane Parrott of Bil. Mar. 8, 1750. 

Abigail, bap. July 27, 1729. 

Lucy, bap. April 4, 1731 ; m. May 24, 1760, Joshua Mead. 

Elizabeth, bap. June 22, 1735. 

\Andreio, bap. April 16, 1738 ; m. Nov. 29, 1759, Abigail Jennison 

of Weston. 
Kezia, bap, June 1, 1740; m. June 1, 1759, Joseph Wyman of 

Lunenburg. 
Ebenezer, bap. Feb. 28, 1742 ; probably d. 1743. 
Mary, bap. Oct. 21, 1744. 



Josiah Parker m. Dec. 8, 1718, Anna Stone, dau. of John and 
Rachel (Shepard) Stone. Lieut. Parker, for he was honored with 
that title, was one of the most popular men in the town for a num- 
ber of years. He filled almost every town office. He was an excel- 
lent penman, and filled the office of town clerk four years. He was 
an assessor nineteen years, from 1726 to 1756, with occasional 
intermissions, and was selectman seven years. He d. Oct. 9, 1756, 
aged 62 ; she d. Sept. 8, 1760. They were ad. to the ch. Aug. 
13, 1719. 

Anna, b. Sept. 9, 1719; m. Nov. 6, 1737, Benjamin Smith. 

Deliverance, b. May 28, 1721 ; m. April 7, 1737, Marrett Munroe. 

Mary, b. July 3, 1723. 

\Josiah, b. April 11, 1725 ; m. Oct. 27, 1748, Mary Munroe, Weston. 

Lois, b. Aug. 20, 1727 ; d. July, 1735. 

jJohn, b. July 13, 1729 ; ra. May 22, 1755, Lydia Moore. 

\Thaddeus, b. Sept. 2, 1731 ; m. May 29, 1759, Mary Reed. 

\ Joseph, b. Nov. 28, 1733 ; m. July 5, 1759, Eunice Hobbs, Weston. 



Jonas Parker m. Lucy . They made their peace with the 

ch. Sept. 15, 1745. He was one of the first martyrs of freedom who 
fell on the 19th of April, 1775. See History, p. 181 of this volume. 



; m. and had Abigail. 



Nathan, b. — 

Lncy, bap. Oct. 6, 1745. 

Jonas, bap. March 29, 1747 ; d. young. 

Sarah, bap. Sept. 4, 1748. 

\Jonas, b. July 10, 1753; m. Aug. 15, 1776, Martha Hosley of Bil. 

Eunice, bap. ; m. June 9, 1772, Asa Morse of Newton. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



171 



52 
53 
55 



22-28- 



22-30- 



30-56 
57 



22-34- 

34-59 
23-41- 

23-43- 



Prudence, bap. April 27, 1757. 

Elizabeth, bap, March 18, 1759. 54 Polly, b. Jan. 4, 1761. 

Philemon, b. . 



Amos Parkkr m. Anna . They made their peace with the 

ch. Jan. 27, 1745. They probably left town in 1745, as his name 
disajjpears from the tax bill. He settled in Shrewsbury, where he 
had a child bap. 1750. They had Amos ; Sarah, b. July 15, 1750; 
Uullis, b. Oct. 2, 1752; Elisha, b. Dec. 31, 1754; Ephraim, b. Oct. 
4, 1757 ; Frederick, b. May 4, 1762 ; Elizabeth, b. March 29, 1769. 

Thomas Parker m. March 8, 1750, Jane Parrott of Chelmsford. 
They made their peace with the ch. in July, and their first child was 
bap. Aug. 19, 1750. 

\Ebenezer, bap. Ang. 19, 1750; m. Dec. 3, 1772, Dorcas Munroe. 
William ?, bap. Dec. 29, 1751. 58 Mary, bap. July 13, 1760. 

They buried two infant children, probably b. between William 
and Mary. 



Andrew Parker m. Nov. 29, 1759, Abigail Jennison of Weston. 
They made their peace with the ch. April 20, 1760. They removed 
about 1763 to Rutland, to the ch. of which place they were dismissed 
May 10, 1765. They had two children b. in Lexington. 



Rhoda, b. June 19, 1760. 



60 Abigail, bap. Feb. 7, 1762. 



JosiAH Parker m. Oct. 27, 1748, Mary Munroe of Weston, dau. 
of Benjamin Munroe, son of the original William of Lex. He must 
have left town about the time of his mari-iage, as his name disappears 
from the tax bills after that time. 



John Parker m. ALiy 25, 1755, Lydia Moore, dau. of Thomas 
and Mary Moore of Lexington. They were admitted to the church 
Oct. 31, 1756. John Parker was an assessor, 1764, ''lob, '66, and 
'74. But he was most distinguished for the part he acted at the 
opening of the Revolution. He commanded the company of minute 
men who stood tinnly at their post on the 19th of April, 1775, when 
ordered to disperse by the impetuous Pitcairn, backed up, as he was, 
by eight hundred British regulars. He must have been a man of 
admitted character, to have been selected to command that Spartan 
band, containing, as it did, within its ranks, several veteran soldiers, 
and even ollicers who had seen service upon the " tented field." It 
has been said that he had served in the French war ; but I have failed 
to find his name upon the rolls. On the Common on that trying 
occasion, he showed great coolness and bravery, ordering his men to 
load their pieces, but not to fire unless fired upon. And in the very 
face of the British regulars, when some of his men seemed to falter, 
he announced in a firm voice, that he would cause the first man to be 
shot down, who shotdd quit the ranks or leave his post without orders. 
And though eight of his men were killed in the morning, and several 
were severely wounded, true to the spirit of freedom, he collected 
his company" and marched to meet the enemy on their return from 
Concord, and poured a deadly fire into their ranks. While his 
health was feeble, and the disease which proved fatal in Septem- 
ber of that year, was making a steady inroad upon his constitution, he 
obeyed the calls of patriotism, and marched with a portion of his co. 
to Cambridge on the 6th of May, and with a still larger detachment 
of them on the 17th of June. But though he performed a noble part 



172 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



43-01 
62 

63 
64 

65 

66 
67 



23-44- 



44 



in the opening scene of that glorious struggle, he did not live to wit- 
ness its happy termination. He d. Sept. 17, 1775, aged 46. His 
wid. m Nov. 5, 1778, Ephraiin Pierce of Waltham. 

There are some incidents connected with the character and acts of 
Capt. Parker which deserve mention. We have seen the efforts 
made by the town, in 1774 and 1775, to arm and equip her company 
of minute-men. We have the receipt of Capt. Parker for two drums 
received of the town, which we will give verbatim, with a facsimile 
of his signature. 

" Agreeable to the vote of the Town, I have received by the hands 
of the Selectmen the drums provided by the Town for the use of the 
Military Company in this town, until the further order of the town. 




i£^ 



«« Lexington, March 14, 1775." 



There are two muskets, appropriate memorials of Capt. Parker, 
preserved in the State House, the gift of his grandson, Rev. Theodore 
Parker, to the State. On one is inscribed 



"The First Fire Arm 

Captured in the 
War for Independence ; " 



and on the other, 



*' This Firearm was used by 

Capt. John Parker 

in the I3attle of Lexington, 

April 19th, 

1775." 

These relics were received by the State authorities with due cere- 
mony, and are conspicuously displayed in the Senate chamber for 
public view. 

Lydia, b. Nov. 8, 1756 ; d. in Rox. about 1810, unm. 

An7ia. b. Jan. 11, 1759; m. March 16, 1780, Ephraim Pierce of 

Waltham. 
\John, b. Feb. 14, 1701; m. Feb. 17, 1785, Hannah Stearns. 
Isaac, b. May 11, 1763; moved to Charlestown, where he d. 
Ruth, b. Dec. 7, 1765; m. Nov. 14, 1787, David Bent ; moved to 

Nova Scotia. 
Rebecca, b. June 28, 1768 ; m. Peter Clarke of Wat. 
\Rohert, b. April 15, 1771; ra. Oct. 22, 17!:»4, Elizabeth Simonds. 



TiiAPDEUs Parker m. May 27, 1759, Mary Reed, dau. of Wil- 
liam and Abigail (Stone) Reed. He d. Feb. 10, 1789, aged 58 ; 
she d. Oct. 9, 1811, aged 73. She had the severe affliction of bury- 
ing her husband and four children, in the short period of about 
eighteen months. Thaddeus Parker was one of the selectmen, 1770, 
'71, '73, '77, — a period when the most important duties were devolved 
upon that board. He was a member of the Lex. co. which stood 
undismayed before the British on the 19th of Api'il, 1775, and was 
subsequently in the service eight months. 

A child born and died 1759. 

Mary, b. Sept. 26, 1760 ; d. June 3, 1787. 

kiarah, b. Aug. 24, 1762 ; d. Feb. 2, 1789. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



173 



71 
72 
73 



23-45- 



45-74 
76 
78 
80 
81 
82 

27-50- 



50-83 
85 

30-56- 



43-63- 



63-87 

88 
89 
90 

91 
92 
93 
94 
95 
96 
97 

43-67- 



67-98 



99 
100 
101 

102 



Betty, h. Aug. 28, 1764; d. Aug. 27, 1788. 
Thaddeus, b. July 10, 1767 ; d. June 14, 1789, 
Josiah, b. Sept. 19, 1770. 



Joseph Parker m. July 5, 1759, Eunice Hobbs of Weston. 
After the birth of their first child, in 1760, they settled in Line. As 
most of their children were bap. in Lex. we will give their birth. 

Susmina, b. Dec. 31, 1760. 75 Levi, b. April 16, 1762. 

Lois, b. Oct. 4, 1763. 77 Aaron, b. Dec. 5, 1765. 

Joseph, b. Nov. 17, 1767. 79 Jonathan, b. Oct. 17, 1769. 

Elisha, b. Dec. 9, 1772 ; d, in 1773. 

i?eL?a, ^^'"'^^•^^P^-.IO'I^'^- 



JONAS Parker m. Aug. 15, 1776, Martha Hosley of Bill. They 
were ad. to the ch. Feb. 28, 1779. He d. July 14, 1783, and Martha 
his wid. administered on his estate. 



Paitij, bap. Mav 16, 1779. 
John H., bap. Nov. 26, 1780. 



84 Betty, bap. ]\Iay 16, 1779. 
86 Jonas, bap. March 2, 1783. 



Ebexezer Parker m. Dec. 3, 1772, Dorcas Munroe. He was a 
corporal in Capt. Parker's co. and was with them on the 19th of 
April, the 6th of May, and the 17th of June, 1775. He and his 
wife were dismissed to the ch. in Princeton, Nov. 9, 1788. They 
had three children bap. in Lex. viz. Abijah, bap. May 30, 1773; 
Quincy, bap. April 30, 1775 ; Lucy, bap. July 22, 1781. 

JOHN Parker m. Feb. 7, 1784, Hannah Stearns, dau. of Benja- 
min and Hannah (Seger) Stearns, b. May 21, 1764. He d. Nov. 3, 
1835, aged 74 ; she d. May 15, 1823, aged 59. 

Mary, b. April 11, 1785 ; ra. about 1816, Samuel Green, as his second 
^vife, — he being the widower of her sister Hannah. She d. IfeSl. 

John. b. Oct. 12, 1786, m. Maria Green of West Camb. 

Lydia, b. April 2, 1789: d. April 25. 1791. 

Hannah, b. March 15, 1791; m. March 25, 1811, Samuel Green of 
Brighton. She d. Dec. 1, lbl5, in Vt., and hem. her sister Mary. 

Lydia, b. July 1, 1793; m. Isaac Herrick of Brighton and d. 1837. 

Rebecca, b. Dec. lO. 1795; d. Feb. 15, 1812, unm. 

Usaac. b. Nov. 5, 1798 ; m. 1829, Martha M. Miller. 

Rxdh, b. Nov. 12, 1800; d. Dec. 27, 1812. 

Hiram S., h. Jan. 16, 1803; m. Nancy Leavitt of N. H. 

Emily Ann, h. May 11, 1806 ; m. Charles Miller of Somerville. 

^Theodore, b. Aug. 24, 1810; m. Lydia D. Cabot in 1837. 



Robert Parker m. Oct. 22, 1794, Elizabeth Simonds, dau. of 
Joshua and Martha (Bowers) Simonds, b. July 4, 1772. He d. 
Dec. 31, 1840, aged 70. She d. April 11, 1849, aged 77. 

Mary, b. Dec. 26, 1794; m. April 11, 1822, Isaac W. Lawrence of 

West Camb. They have had four children. 
Josiah, b. July 6, 1798 ; d. Dec. 25, 1840, unm. 
Thomas, b. March 16, 1800; d. April 30, 1800. 
Eliza Eleanor, b. Sept. 20, 1804 ; m. April 12, 1829, Nathan Rob- 

bins of West Camb. They have had seven children. 
Almira, b Aug. hO, 1806; m. Oct. 1, 1837, Joshua Robbins of 

West Camb. They have had three children. 
80 



174 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



103 
104 

105 



63-93- 



93-100 
107 

108 
109 

110 
111 
112 
113 



63-97- 



Jonathan Simonds, b. Aug. 8, 1808; d. Feb. 13, 1813. 

\Jonathan Simonds, b. July 30, 1812 ; m. Dec. 29, 1835, Abigail 

Tuttle. 
William Bowers, h. Jan. 13, 1817; m. Nov. 30, 1843, Elizabeth 

Garfield. He settled in Charlestowu, and has had seven children. 



Isaac Parkkr m. 1829, Martha M. Miller, b. June 28, 1801, in 
Hillsborough, N. H. They settled in Waltham, but came to Lex. in 
1832, and took up their abode on the old Parker Place in the south 
part of the town. Their first two children were born in Waltham. 

Isaac Moore, b. Nov. 10, 1829. 

Martha Ann, b. ,iune 16, 1831; m. Oct. 28, 1855, William W. 

Durgee of York, Pa. 
Frances Maria, b. Jan. 21, 1833. 
Charles M., b. Feb. 15, 1835. He enlisted for three years and 

served in the 24th Reg. Mass. Vols, in the late war. 
James Theodore, b. Sept. 18, 1837 ; d. April 2, 1838. 
Emily R., b. April 7, 1839 ; d. Aug. 6, 1858. 
Theodore James, b. April 21, 1841. 
George E., b. Jan. 2, 1843 ; d. Oct. 6, 1857. 



TnEODORK Parkku m. April 20, 1837, Lydia D. Cabot of Boston, 
dau. of John and Lydia (Dodge) Cabot, b. Sept. 12, 1813. They 
had no children. In 1830 he entered H. C, but owing to his limited 
pecuniary means, he was not able to incur the expense of a life at 
the college, but remained at home pursuing his studies through the 
winter, and then engaged himself as a teacher. Not residing at the 
college and attending the daily exercises, he did not take his degree ; 
though in 1840 he received from the University the honorary degree 
of A. M. Our limits will not permit us to give in detail the events 
of his laborious life. It is sufficient to say, that he raised himself to 
great distinction by his own unassisted industry and force of charac- 
ter. Without the usual advantages enjoyed by those who are des- 
tined to a literary life, by persevering industry he overcame all 
these disadvantages, and became a man of vast acquirements, pro- 
cured and mastered an extensive library, and died in the midst of 
life with a reputation which few men ever acquire. 

Giving his mind to religious subjects, he entered the theological 
school at Cambridge in 1834, and after graduating, he was first 
settled at West Roxbury, and subsequently became pastor of the 
Twenty-eighth Congregational Society which worshiped at Music Hall 
in Boston. By that incessant labor, which few constitutions can 
endure, he became somewhat enfeebled, and a hemorrhage from the 
lungs required him to suspend all labor. By the advice of his physi- 
cian, and the entreaty of friends, he was induced to seek a more 
genial climate. In February, 1859, he embarked for the West Indies, 
where he remained for a time, when he sailed for the south of Europe. 
But neither medical skill, nor the balmy air of Italy, could stay the 
ravages of disease, and he d. at Florence, May 10, 1860. He was 
buried in a little Protestant cemetery outside the city walls. The 
grave is inclosed by a border of gray marble, and at the head is a 
plain stone of the same material, with this inscription : 

Theodore Parker, 

Born at Lexington, Mass., 

United States of America, 

Aug. 24, 1810. 

Died at Florence, May 10, 1860. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 175 

The unsparing censure which has been heaped, and the unlimited 
praise which has been bestowed upon Mr. Parker, will justify us in 
saying a few words upon his character. The leading characteristic 
of the man was his thirst for knowledge. This manifested itself in 
his persistant industry from his boyhood to the day of his death. 
His love of books became almost a passion, and he made himself 
acquainted with various languages, that he might read the best 
authors in their native tongue. Few men under the circumstances 
in which he was placed, have ever performed more labor, or accom- 
plished as much. His moral character, as seen by the world, was 
above reproach. But to judge the man aright, we must look beneath 
the surface, and see the motives by which he was actuated. And 
here we find a stern sense of justice tempered with mercy, a strong 
love for the poor and down-trodden, and a warm sympathy for hu- 
manity, for whose elevation he was ready to spend, and be spent. 
And though he sometimes indulged in bitter denunciation, too com- 
mon among reformers, we shall generally find that it was prompted 
by a strong sense of wrong or injustice committed against those he 
was laboring to elevate and improve. 

But it is with reference to his religious character that the people 
have been most divided. Thougii it is not the object of this work to 
decide upon matters of faith, we will glance at this subject with that 
freedom which Mr. Parker himself always exercised, and with such a 
spirit as he, if present, would approve. Born of a pious and devout 
mother, whose instructions sank deep into his tender heart, and liv- 
iii<r under the influences of religious institutions founded upon the 
broad baxis of diinne revelation, he early imbibed t-nlightened views 
of the character of our Heavenly Father, and of our duty to love and 
ailore iiim. These views he cherished through life; so that we can 
with justice pronounce him not only a moral but a devout man. But 
though we can endorse his moral and religious character, we are con- 
strained to express our conviction that this character was the result 
of his early training and the natural goodness of his heart, rather 
than of his theological speculations. He was moral and devout in 
spite of his theory. This impression is strengthened by the fact that 
very many of those who embrace his speculations have but little sym- 
pathy with that devout spirit by which he was actuated. 

That he was a man of extraordinary intellectual powers, all must 
admit. He had a keen perception of the evils which existed in 
society, but like many reformers had not constructive powers suffi- 
cient to supply the remedy. So in matters of f:iith,_- he could point 
out with a master's hand the incongruities of existing systems, but 
has never, as far as we can learn, been able to present a clear and 
well defined system of his own. We do not mean that he had no belief. 
He had certain doctrines which he inculcated with earnestness and in 
sincerity. But he has never, we believe, combined them so as to 
make acomplcte system,— one harmonious tchole. 

Thus much it seemed proper to say concerning one of the most 
distinguished men to whom Lexington has ever giv.'u birth. Mr. 
Parker has left a large number of ardent and devoted friends. They 
have erected a memorial stone in Lexington to his memory, on the 
snot where stood the old house in which he was born. The stone is 
of Concord granite, finished on all sides, three feet square, and three 
and a half feet high, resting on a base four feet square and one foot 
hi<rh. On the front face, in raised letters, is the simple inscription, 

Bikth-Place 
of 
THEODORE PARKER. 
1 1810. 



176 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



The farm has been in possession of the Parker family since 1712. 
Tlie following engraving shows the house in which he was born, and 
the old belfry building which stood on the Common on the site of 
the present monument, in 1775, from which went forth those peals 
of alarm which called the patriots to arms on the morning of the 19th 
of April. The old belfry was procured by the family and removed 
to the Parker Place, where it is now standing. 




67-104- Jonathan S. Parker ra. Dec. 29, 1835, Abigail Tuttle, dau. of 

David Tuttle. He d. July 5, 1859, and she d. April -4, 1860. He 
was captain of the Lex. artillery, and filled the most important town 
offices, — was treasurer five years, assessor four years, and selectman 
three years. 

101-114 Vo^n Hennj, b. Sept. 16, 1836; d. Sept. 12, 1855. 

115 Elizabeth S., b. Sept. 30, 1838. 116 Esther T., b. Feb. 21, 1842. 

117 Abby M., b. April 23, 1847. 

118 Oeorgiana T., b. Oct. 12, 1849. 

119 Emma Frances, b. April 8, 1853. 120 ^'Z^e7^ ^e;ir?/, b. June 28, 1858. 



There was an Obadiah Parker in town for a few years, who by 
his wife, Hepzibah, had at least two childen b. in Lex. Almira, b. 
April 16, 1802, d. Nov. 14, 1802 ; Almira, b. Nov. 9, 1803. He 
appears to have been a man of considerable talents. He was ap- 
pointed to pronounce an eulogy on Washington in 1800, whose 
death was noticed with appropriate solemnities. He opened a private 
school in Lex., which was quite popular. He visited New York, 
where for misconduct he found employment quite diflFerent from that 
of teaching the young. 




TiHEOIOOP^E FARKEM.^ 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 177 

James Parker, another school-teacher, m. in Lex. Nov. 2, 1842» 
Adaline Reed, dau. of Isaac and Elizabeth (Munroe) Reed, b. Jan. 
10, 1812. He settled in Lex. They have one child, James Emery, 
b. Aug. 30, 1845. 



PARKHURST.— John Parkhttrst of Lex. m. Sept. 15, 1763, 
Elizabeth Bowers of Billerica. He came to Lex. from Chelmsford, 
and was probably a descendant of Joseph Parkhurst, of that town, 
who had Joseph, b. IGGl, and perhaps other sons. He was in the 
campaign of White Plains in 1776. He was selectman, 1791. He 
resided^on the Concord road, and built the house occupied by the 
late Col. John Parkhurst Merriam. He had no children. He d. 
July 2, 1812. His will, dated June 4, 1812, mentions wife Elizabeth, 
John White of Gardner. John Muzzey, and John P. Merriam, John 
Peake Hunt of Jaffrey, N. H., brother Jonathan, and sisters Hannah 
Parker, Mary Colburn, and Elizabeth Baldwin. His wid. d. July 
9, 1822, aged 83 years. 



PEAKE.— Jonas Stone in 1754, gave notice as then required by 
law, that Philip Peake, a child from Boston, came to Lexmgton to 
reside in his family. There were other Peakes in town, but I know 
not their origin. 

John Peake m. March 21, 1776, Hitty Hastings. They were 
ad to the ch. Nov. 29. 1778. Their first child b. and d. 1777. 
Marv, bap. Jan. 17, 1779; John, bap. July 1, 17 SI ; Thomas, bap. 
i^)ec -^S 1783; Sarah, bap. June 3, 1787; Hannah, bap. Dec. 2b, 
1790 ; Philip, bap. April 22, U^.-Philip d. at the age of 24. 3£ary 
ra Isaac Childs ; John m. and moved to Sudbury ; iiarah m. :Nathaa 
Priest of Jaffrey, N. H. Thomas m. Elizabeth ; r. Vt. 

Joseph Mason m. Oct. 19, 1769, Elizabeth Peake, who was ad. to 
the ch. Oct. 13, 1765. 



PFNNY —David Penny and Sally Smith, both of Lex., were m. 
Sept. 30, 1779. They had Sarah, h. Feb. 20, 1780 ; PoUy, b. Feb 
91) 178-^ d Feb. 23, 1782; Jonathan, h. March 12, 178o, d. Dec. 
5 1783"'PoZ/v b Nov. 12, 1785, d. 1829; David, b. March 25, 
17SS m IVIav 12, 1822, Mary F. Sherman, she ti. 1852; Isaac, b. 
July 20,' 1790, d. 1809; Samuel C, b. Dec. 13 1793; ij~^^ b. 
May 14 1795, d. Feb. 21. 1860. David, sen., d. Jan. 1830. The 
absence of a record will prevent any fuller account of this family. 

PERRY —This name appears upon our records at different pe- 
riods, and yet we are not able to give a connected view of the fami- 
f es John Perry, bv his wife. Deborah, had the following children : 
Thn b Dec 19, 1720; Thomas, b. Dec. 19, 1/22; Joseph, b. Oct. 
3 1724*; Millicent, b. May 10, 1726; Ebenezer^nd Jonathan, tv^ms 
b July 17, 1728, Jonathan m. Jan. 27, 1760, Mary Blodgett; Thad- 
dm. b. Dec. 26, 1730; Abigail, b. Aug. 10, 1/35, m Nov. 20. 
iS Abel Fox of Billerica. Deborah was ad. to the ch June 29, 
1735, and d. May 22, 1736. Thomas Perry was in the French war 
from Lex. in 1759 and 1762. 

^le name, which had faded out from the records appeared again 
about 1800. Nathan Perry by his wife Sally, had SulkvanB 
ivu i«rv:). Mnru h Oct 1, 1803; Sahy, b. Aug. 30, l«U-± , 
"llH^^i: Cl'o. 1806 ; Thomas k, b.^May 1. 1808, d. Nov. 
9, i821 ; Nahum S.,h. March 28, 1810. 



178 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 



2- 3 



3- 4 



THE PHELPS FAMILY. 

• The early history of this family is but imperfectly known to us. 

Jonathan Phelps came to this country early in the eighteenth 
century, and landed in Newport, R. I. From thence he came to 
Reading, ]\Iass., where he reared a iamily of children. One of them 
(name unknown) came first to Beverly, and then to Salem, where 
he d. Dec. 1799. aged about 92. He had three sons, Jonathan, 
Henry, and William, and several daughters. 



Henry Phelps was a shipmaster, from the port of Salem, and 
was lost at sea, 1786. He m. and had children. 



Henry Phelps, son of the preceding, having bodily infirmities, 
which disqualified him from following his father's profession, fitted 
for college and entered Harvard, where he was graduated, 1788. 
He studied medicine, and settled in 1799, at Gloucester, as an apo- 
thecary and physician. He m. Mary Forbes, dau. of Peter Coffin, 
Esq., of Gloucester. He d. Feb. 18, 1852, aged 86, and hence was 
b. 1766. He acquired some practice as a doctor, but soon abandoned 
that branch of his business. He was many years postmaster, and 
the principal acting magistrate in the town. He continued to keep 
his shop till he was about eighty years of age. He had three wives 
and several children. 



William Dane Phelps, son of the foregoing, was b. at Glou- 
cester, Feb. 14, 1802 ; m. Mary Ann Gushing, dau. of Henry Gushing 
of Boston. Shed. Dec. 16, 1831, and he m. May 18, 1834, Lusan- 
na T., dau. of Josiah and Sally (Wellington) Bryant of Lex. He 
came to Lex. to reside about the time of his second marriage. 

His profession has been that of a mariner. He commenced early 
as a cabin-boy, and has worked his way through the ditferent grades 
to master— making many voyages to Europe and the Levant, around 
Gape Horn and the Gape of Good Hope, in command of some of the 
finest ships of the times. He was wrecked once while a boy at the 
Gape of Good Hope, and once when captain at the entrance of Ply- 
mouth Harbor in the winter of 1836 ; which was one of the most 
distressing shipwrecks known for many years on our coast. The 
cold was intense, and the ship was unmanageable in consequence of 
the ice which accumulated upon her. Part of the crew perished by 
the cold, and those who were saved were badly bruised and frozen. 
Li one of his early voyages, when he was before the mast, he was 
left with seven others on a desert island in the Indian Ocean to pro- 
cure a cargo of sea elephant oil, and fur seal skins — the captain 
promising to return for them in nine months. But actuated probably 
by that thirst of gain which stifles every feeling of humanity, and 
believing that they could not subsist after the provision left with them 
was exhausted, and as the island was very rarely visited by voyagers, 
he thought he might touch there at a future day, and take his oil and 
furs without being troubled by having any men to pay off. But on 
his return twenty-eight months after, he found not only a full cargo 
of oil and furs, but his eight men all living. The island being in a 
high latitude, it was cold and desolate, not a tree or shrub sprang 
from its inhospitable bosom ; and consequently these poor dwellers 
thereon had no fuel of the ordinary kind, but were compelled to 
burn the blubber of the sea elephant. The interior of the island was 
composed of barren volcanic ridges, but the shores abounded with 
sea fowl, penguin, and marine animals. Their nine months' provi- 
sions became exhausted, and for the remainder of the time they 



4- 5 
6 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 179 

subsisted upon what the shore afforded, fish and fowls and their egfrs. 
For clothing thej' supplied themselves with fur skins, and for shelTer 
they soughtthe '* caves and dens of the earth." After twenty-ei'dit 
months, their unprincipled captain arrived — his being the first vessel 
which had been in sight for the whole period. He took his cargo and 
the men, who were glad to leave that inclement island. The subse- 
quent conduct of this brutal captain, fully justified the suspicion that 
he had hoped that they had all perished before his return. 

During this voyage, which to young Phelps was extended to more 
than six years, he, by the force of circumstances, left the ship, and 
was obliged to take service under the flags of various nations, visiting 
most of the parts of the Pacific, and the then known parts of Aus- 
tralia and Van Dieman's land, and returned home by way of Cape 
Horn in 1823, in good health, with considerable experience, but 
with empty pockets. 

In 1840, in command of a large ship, he commenced a series of 
trading voyages to California, remaining there till he had disposed of 
his cargo and procured a cargo of hides. These voyages were gen- 
erally of about three years' duration. San Francisco was then 
called Yerba Buena, and consisted of only three houses, where the 
famous city now stands. At that time the River Sacramento had 
never been visited from the sea, and Capt. Phelps with two of his 
boats and a part of his crew explored it about one hundred miles, 
and displayed the Stars and Stripes for the first time upon its placid 
waters. On his third voyage, the country was disturbed by the 
Mexican War, and being upon the coast he co-operated with Stockton 
and Fremont in various ways, and so contributed something to our 
gaining possession of the country. He visited the mines twice, 
handled some of the first specimens of gold, and returned home by 
the way of Panama, bringing some of the first specimens of gold, 
and reliable information in relation to the mines. The last voyage 
he performed was to California, the Sandwich Islands and China, and 
returned to New York in 1857. He has spent about forty years in 
a sea life, twenty-six of them in command of a ship. During that 
time, with one exception already mentioned, no Insurance Office has 
ever paid a dollar for damage to his ships or cargo ; and with the 
same exception, he never lost a man by sickness or accident, until 
the last voyage, when two died of disease in China. 

From this brief sketch, it will be seen that Capt. Phelps's life has 
been active and eventful. With no small degree of truth, we can 
say of him in the language of Campbell, 

"His march was o'er the mountain wave, 
His home was on the deep." 

Lusanna, b. Nov. 18, 1836. 

Alice D., b. Oct. 18, 1838; m. Oct. 15, 1862, Charles C. Goodwin 

of Charlestown. They reside in Lex. and have one child, viz. 

George C, b. Nov. 24, 1863. 
Edwin Buckingham, b. April 14, 1845 ; d. Sept. 9, 1849. 



THE PHINNEY FAMILY. 

Bknjamin Phinney, the first of the name in Lex., came into the 
town, 1787, from Granville, Nova Scotia. We have not been able 
to learn his birth or parentage. He and his wife, Susanna, were ad. 
to the ch. in Falmouth, Mass., May 10, 1772; at the same time two 
of their children, Chloe and Josiah, were bap. In Aug. 1774, their 
dau. Susanna was baptized ; and they were dismissed from the Fal- 



180 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1-8- 



8-11 

12 
13 
14 

15 



mouth church to the united church of Annapoh's and Granville, Nova 
Scotia, The Lexington church records, Oct. 14, 1787, recognize the 
fact of their recommendation from Falmouth to Nova Scotia, " from 
thence they came to reside in this town, and requested ch. privileges 
with us." He d. 1843, aged 99, and hence must have been b. about 
1744. She d. June 16, 1829. 

Patience, b. ; m. Sept. 25, 1809, Eli Green of Boston, 

Ghloe, bap. May 10, 1772 ; m. May 21, 1794, John Stearns of Walt. 

Josiah, bap. May 10, 1772. 

Susanna, bap. May 10, 1774 ; m. May 22, 1794, Peleg Stearns, Walt. 

Joseph, b. ; was drowned. 

Theodore, b. ; m, Ann Barrett in Cuba. 

\EUas, b, in Nova Scotia, 1780 ; m, June 6, 1809, Catharine Bartlett. 
Benjamin, bap. Oct, 14, 1787 ; d, Oct. 16, 1791, 
Deidama, bap. Aug. 20, 1788 ; m. Barnabas Fales of Washington 
city and d. soon after. 



Elias Phinney m, June 6, 1809, Catharine Bartlett, dau. of Dr. 
Josiah and Elizabeth (Call) Bartlett of Charlestown. He grad. H. 
C. 1801, read law, and commenced practice in Thomaston, Me. 
He afterwards removed to Charlestown, where be had an ofBce. 
Having a taste for rural life, he came to Lex. in 1823, where he d. 
July 24, 1849, aged 69. His wid. d. Aug. 2, 1864, aged 78. He 
was a prominent man in the town and county, was for many years 
clerk of the courts for the county of Middlesex, which office be held 
at the time of his death. He was highly distinguished as an agricul- 
turalist, being for many years a trustee of the State Agricultural 
Society. His farm in the south part of the town was brought by him 
to a high state of cultivation, and the farm, fruit trees, and stock 
attracted visitors from a great distance ; so that his scientific and 
practical knowledge of husbandry exerted a wide influence over those 
engaged in that department of human industry. In 1825, he pub- 
lished an interesting account of the Battle of Lexington, in which he 
vindicated with great ability the claims of the town of Lexington 
against certain pretensions set up by a few indiscreet men of Concord. 

Josiah B., b. April 1, 1810; m. Lucretia Beckford of Charlestown. 
He moved to Cuba, where they resided twelve or fifteen years, 
when he returned to the United States and settled in Illinois, He 
had two sons, one of whom is living. 

Susan M., b. Sept. 30, 1812; m, Dec. 19, 1833, Isaac H. Spring. 
He resided in Boston, where he d, April 7, 1864. They had four 
daughters. 

Catharine B., b. April 2, 1814 ; m, in 1837, Thomas Goodall. They 
resided in Vicksburg, Miss, He d. and she is now residing in 
Chicago. They had four children. 

Elizabeth B., b. Dec, 29, 1816; m, Sept. 30, 1841, A, H, Nelson, 
who' was a prominent member of the bar, and was raised to a 
judgeship. They resided first in Concord, and afterward in Wo,, 
where he d, 1857, 

Mary P., b. Feb. 2, 1818; m. May 1, 1858, G, A. Olnhausen. He 
d. Sept. 7, 1860. They resided in Manchester, N. H. Mrs. Oln- 
hausen is a lady of great perseverance and force of character. 
After the death of her husband she returned to her friends, and 
on the breaking out of the Rebellion her sympathies were turned 
to the sick and wounded soldiers, who had left the comforts of 
home to sustain the liberties of the country. Her active sense of 
the worth of our institutions, and of the baseness of the attempt 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



181 



20 



1- 2 



to overthrow them ; and her just appreciation of the devotion of 
the gallant men who had voluntarily taken their lives in their 
hands, and gone forth amidst the dangers of the field and the 
diseases of the camp, to uphold the government of our choice, 
prompted her to offer her services to her country. In August, 
1862, she entered upon her duty as a hospital nurse, and served 
first at the Mansion House at Alexandria, from thence she was 
transferred to Morehead City, then to Beaufort, and at last to 
Smithville, N. C. Having entered for the war, she remained in 
the United States' service till 1SG5. She was associated with that 
well known philanthropist. Miss Dix ; and being a regular nurse 
in the service, she was subject to the orders of the hospital depart- 
ment, or else she would have followed her inclination, and gone to 
the front, where she would have seen more of suffering, and where 
she believed, she could have been more useful. Mrs. Olnhausen 
acquired a high reputation at the hospitals as an active, skillful, 
and self-sacrificing nurse— always cool and collected, she devoted 
herself assiduously to the wants of her patients. By her kindness 
and fidelity she won the respect and esteem of all committed to her 
care. Many a poor sick or wounded soldier, far from the comforts 
and endearments of home, has found in her the care and watchful- 
ness of a faithful mother, and the kindness and sympathy of an 
affectionate sister. We naturally extol the heroism of the gallant 
soldier who promptly faces danger on the field of battle ; but it 
requires as much moral coui-age, as much self-sacrifice- to brave the 

diseases of the hospitals, as it does to face the enemy in the field. 

Much j)raise is due to Mrs Olnhausen. 
Jane, b Oct. 3, 1820. 
Charlotte B.,h. July 17, 1822; m. April, 1842, Rev. Wdliam G. 

Swett, who was settled as a minister in Lexington. She had one 

dau. C. B. W. G. Swett, b. Feb. 8, 1843. He d. Feb. 15, 1843, 

and she m. June 1, 18(J3, Francis K. Simonds. They have two 

children. 
George P., b. Jan. 24, 1824; m. Kate Richardson of Woburn. He 

resides in Illinois, and has six children. She d. May, 18(J7. 
Alice B., b. Nov. 9, 1826; m. May 23, 1854, James S. Munroe ; 

they reside in I,exin?Tton. 
B Frank, b, Jan. 2S, 1829. He was a mariner— havmg entered on 

ship-board as a cabin boy, he passed through the different stages 

to that of captain. H e d. in Brazil, 1855. 

THE PIERCE FAMILY. 

The Pierces (frequently spelt Peirce,) came to the country early, 
and settled in that great hive of emigiants, Watertown. It is some- 
what difficult to trace the genealogy of the family, as they are quite 
numerous, and are scattered through several towns. There is also 
dano-er of confounding the Watertown families with the descendants 
of Robert Pierce, who settled at Dorchester as early as 1630. 

ToHX Pierce, a weaver of Wat. was ad. freeman March, 1638. 
He died Au"-. 19, 1661. His wid. Elizabeth, in her will dated March 
5 and proved April 2, 1667, makes mention of sons Anthony, Robert 
'and John, and dau. Esther Morse, and Mary Coldam. It is proba- 
ble that Robert settled in Wo. where he d. Sept. 10, 1/06, leavmg a 
family of children. 

Anthony Pierce, b. in England, 1609, and ad. freeman Sept 3 
16:54, was the ancestor of all or nearly all the families bearing that 
81 



182 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



2- 3 

4 
5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

2-7- 



7-12 
13 
14 
IG 
17 
18 
20 

2-9- 



9-21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 

27 
28 
29 



30 



name In the towns of Wat., Waltham, "Weston, Lincoln, and Lex. He 

m. first, Sarah ; m. second, about 1638, Anne . He 

d. May 9, 1678. His wid. d. Jan. 20, 1683. 



John, b. 



He d. with- 



; m. Ruth, dau. of Nathaniel Bishop. 

out issue, and his wid. m. William Fuller. 
Mary, b. Oct. 20, 1633 ; d. young. 
Mary, b. 1636 ; m. Ralph Reed, son of William and Mabel Reed of 

Woburn. 
Jacob, b. Sept. 15, 1637 ; was living in 1683. 

\Daniel, b. Jan. 1, 1640; m. Elizabeth . 

ilfffir^Aa, b. April 24, 1641. 

^Joseph, b. ; ad. freeman April 18, 1690. 

Benjainin, b. 1649; ni. Jan. 15, 1677, Hannah Brooks of Concord. 
Judith, b. July 18, 1650; m. Feb. 1677, John Sawin. 



7-17- 



17-31 
33 
35 
37 
89 

9-21- 



Daniel Piekce m. Elizabeth 



-; b. 1642. He settled in 
He returned to Wat. about 



Groton, where he had five chilch-en b. 

1681. He 0. c. Jan. 16, 1687, when his wife and three children were 

baptized. 

Elizabeth, b. May 16, 1665; m. in Wat. Oct. 17, 1684, Isaac ]Mixer. 

Daniel, b. Nov. 28, 1666; ra. Abigail , and lived in Groton. 

John, b. Aug. 18, 1668. 15 Ephraim, b. Oct. 15, 1673. 

Josiah, b. May 2, 1675. 

\Josepli. b. ; mentioned in the will of sister Elizabeth. 

Abigail, b. Jan. 3, 1682. 19 Hannah, bap. Jan. 16, 1687. 

Benjamin, bap. Jan. 16, 1687. 



Joseph Pierce m. Martha 



She d. and he m. June 15, 



1698, Mrs. Elizabeth WInship, wid. of Ephraim Winship of Camb. 
Farms. 

\Joseph, b. Oct. 2, 1669 ; was thrice m. 

Francis, b. July 27, 1671; lived in Weston, d, April 22, 1728. 

\Jolm, b. May 2*7, 1673 ; m. Nov. 6, 1702, Elizabeth Smith. 

Mary, b. Nov. 26, 1674. 

Benjamin, b. March 25, 1677. 

Jacob, b. Dec. 25, 1678 ; m. Nov. 13, 1702, Hannah Lewis, and d. 

1740. 
Martha, b. Dec. 24, 1681; m. May 17, 1706, William Whitney. 
Stephen, b. Oct. 1683 ; m. 1780, Abigail Bemis, lived in Weston. 
Israel, b. Oct. 7, 1685; m. Jan. 14, 1718, Sarah Holland. He 

moved to Camb. in 1721. 
Elizabeth, b. Sept. 9, 1687 ; m. Oct. 15, 1706, Joseph Bemis. 



Joseph Pierce of Wat. m. Dec. 30, 1698, Mary Warren, 
was selectman in Waltham, 1738, '39, '42. 



He 



f Isaac, b. Sept. 19, 1700. 
Elizabeth, b. Feb. 23, 1704. 
Lyclia, b. March 11, 1707. 
Grace, b. April 27, 1711. 
Lois, b. Jan. 21, 1716. 



32 Mary. b. Feb. 28, 1703. 
34 Sarah, b. Sept. 11, 1705. 
36 Eunice, b. Feb. 11, 1709. 
38 Prudence, b. Aug. 2, 1713. 
40 Buhamah, b. Jan. 12, 1718. 



Joseph Pierce m. ]\Lay 20, 1688, Ruth Holland. She d. and he 
m. about 1692, Hannah ]\Iunroe, dau. of William Munroe of Camb. 
Farms, the ancestor of all the INlunroes in Lex. and the vicinity. 
His wife Hannah was ad. to the ch. in Lex. Feb. 1, 1699, and he was 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



183 



21-41 
42 

4:5 
44 

45 
40 
47 
48 



9-23- 



ad. Sept. 2.S, 1701. What time he came into the Precinct is uncer- 
tain; probably about 1700, as he had a child bap. 1699, and united 
with tlie ch. in 170i. He was a sul)scriber for the purchase of the 
(Common in 1711, and filled the dignified office of tythinginan in 17 i7. 
His wife Hannah d. and he m. third, Beriah, wid. of Daniel Child. 
He d. Mar. 13, 1753, and his wid. m. John Whitney of Westford. 



-, moved to Lincoln. 



^Joseph, b. Feb. 5, 1694 ; m. Abigail — 
\George, b. Feb. 2, 1696; m. Hannah ~ 

WoJm, b. Mar. 11, 1699; m. Rachel . 

Martha, b June 2, 1702. 

Manf, b. INIarch 28, 1705 ; m. June 24, 1725, Thomas Fiske. 

\lViUia7>i, b. July 10, 1707; m. Abigail . 

Ruth, b. April 8, 1710. 

David, h. April 16, 1713; m. May 29, 1734, Sarah Piper of Con. 



23-49 

50 
51 

52 
54 
55 

17-31- 



31-56 
57 
58 
59 
61 
62 



21-41- 



41-63 
Go 

21-42- 



21-43- 



43-66 
68 



John Pierce m. Elizabeth Smith. She d. Sept. 20, 1747. 
were m. Nov. 5, 1702. 

John, h. Sept. 1, 1703; m. Rebecca' 



They 



^Jotms, b. i)ec. 20, 1705 ; ra. Jan. 4, 1728, Abigail Comec of Lex. 
Ezeldel, b. March 7, 1709; m. Nov. 17, 1731, Mercy Wellington of 

Watertown. 
Samuel, b. July 3, 1712. 53 EUzahdli, b. Jan. 3, 1716. 

Daniel, b. Oct. 21, 1719; ra. Martha . 

Jonathan^ b. Sept. 28, 1724. 



Ls.xAC Pierce m. Sept. 7, 1722, Susanna Bemis. 
Waltham. 



They resided in 



Josiah, b. Feb. 13, 1723 ; m. March 14, 1744. Sarah Gale. 
Joseph, b. Nov. 23, 1724 ; m. June 2, 1748, Ruth Wiiite. 
Abijah, b. May 23, 1727 ; m. Thankful Brown, lived in Lincoln. 
\Ephraim, b. Aug. 12, 1729. 60 Susanna, b. May 22, 1732. 

Mary, b. June 22, 1735; m. April 22, 1757, Moses Harrington. 
Isaac, b. March 24, 1739 ; m. 1764, Hannah Mason. He had a 

family of twelve children, the youngest of whoui was Cyrus, b. 

Aug. 1, 1790; grad. at II. C. 1810; m. Sally Coffin, has no issue. 

He was the first teacher of the first Normal school iu Massachusetts, 

■which was established iu Lexington. He d. 1860. 



Joseph Pierce, m. Abigail 



He d. Feb. 12, 1737. He 



resided in Lex. He appears to have been the only male of the 
family which remained permanently in Lexington . 



Ebenezer, b. Sept. 13, 1715. 
Joseph, b. Feb. 3, 1719. 



64 Jonas, b. Oct. 15, 1717. 



George Pierce m. Hannah 



They were ad. to the ch. in 



Lex. May 28, 1738. They moved to Line, though several of their 
children were bap. in Lex. They had nine children. 



John Pierce m. Rachel 



He must have left Lex. as he 



was not taxed in town in 1729, or after that time. 

Anthony, b. Sept. 13, 1720. 67 John, b. Feb. 11, 1722. 

Lucy, b. Jan. 28, 1728. 



184 
21-46- 



46-69 
71 
73 

23-50- 



50-74 
75 
76 

78 
79 
80 



81 



31-59- 



59-82 



84 



85 
86 

87 



89 
90 
91 

92 

93 
94 



59-85- 



85-95 
96 
97 
98 
99 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 

William Pierce m. Abigail -— — . He was ad. to the ch. in Lex, 
June 29, 1733. He probably left Lex., as his name does not appear 
on the tax bills after 1735. 



Abigail, b. May 7, 1729. 
Abner, bap. Jan. 6, 1733. 
Phebe ?, bap. Aug. 21, 1737. 



70 Bridget, b. Oct. 23, 1730. 
72 Zebu'lon, bap. Dec. 15, 1734. 



Jonas Pierce m. Jan. 4, 1728, Abigail Comee of Lex., dau. of 
John and Martha (Munroe) Comee. 

Jonas, b. July 7, 1730. 

Nathan, b. Dec. 15, 1732; m. Dec. 26, 1753, Sarah Reed. 

Elizabeth, b. May 31, 1735. 77 John, b, July 14, 1736^ 

Thaddeus, b. May 14, 1739. 

Solomon, b. June 15, 1742 ; m. Dec. 15, 1763, Amity Fessenden. 

Abigail, b. Aug. 3, 1744 ; in, March 30, 1762, Nathan Derby of 

Westminster, where their descendants are at this day. 
Blary, b, Feb. 7, 1747. 



Ephraim Pierce of Waltham m. May 8, 1753, Lydia White, who 
d. May 6, 1777, aged 43, and he m. Nov, 5, 1778, Mrs. Lydia Par- 
ker, wid. of Capt. John Parker, who commanded the company on 
Lex. Common on the memorable 19th of April, 1775, Ephraim Pierce 
spent most of his days in Waltham, where he had his family, and 
we mention him here, as we have several other families, because his 
descendants settled in Lex. He came to Lex. to reside about the 
time he m. his second wife. He d. Jan. 16, 1790. 

Lois, b. Feb. 2, 1754; m. Oct, 8, 1772, Joshua Stearns of Waltham. 
Lucy, b, March 27, 1755 ; m, Dec. 24, 1772, George Wellington of 

Waltham, 
Ej^hraim, b. Sept. 27, 1757; m. March 16, 1780, Anna Parker, dau. 

of Capt. John of Lex. He d. Dec. 12, 1811, aged 54. 
^Reuben, b. March 18, 1760; m. Susanna Smith of Lex. 
Amos, b. March 27, 1761 ; m. Betsey Hobbs of Weston, and moved 

to Westford, where he d. Oct. 5, 1819. 
Lydia, b. April 15, 1763 ; m. Samuel Smith and moved to Salem. 
Elijah, h. Jan. 1, 1765; m, Dilley Munroe, dau, of Nathan and 

Elizabeth Munroe. They resided in Wo., where he d. aged 54. 
\Abner, b. Sept. 1, 1766; m. Grace Harrington. 

Avis, b. Jan. 17, 1768; m. Cummings of Burlington. 

Jonas, b. July 24, 1771 ; m. Eunice Brown of Waltham, and resided 

in Quincy, where he d. aged 57. 
Susanna, b. June 24, 1773 ; m. Jacob Smith of Lex. and d. April 

9, 1835. 
Jane, b. Feb, 17, 1769; m. William Smith of Lexington, 
\Loring, b, Sept. 18, 1775; m. Sybil Wellington, dau. of William 

Wellington of Waltham. 



Reuben Pierce m. Oct. 8, 1785, Susanna Smith, dau. of Josiah 
and Hannah Smith. She d. March 22, 1819, aged 52, and he d. 
Oct. 30, 1824, aged 64, 

Reuben, b, Dec, 5, 1786, He d. Jan. 15, 1860, aged 73, unm. 
\Nathaniel, b. Sept. 22, 1789; m. Abigail Wellington. 
\Ebenezer, b. April 18, 1792 ; m. Nabby Brown. 
Susanna, b. April 30, 1794; d. Dec. 18, 17^. 
\Pelatiah P., b. March 13, 1806; m, Paulina Burbank. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



185 



59-89- 



89-100 
101 
102 

103 
104 



59-94- 



94-105 

106 

107 
108 
109 

110 

111 



85-96- 



96-112 
113 



114 
115 



116 
117 
118 



85-97- 



97-120 



121 
122 



Abner Pierce m. July 22, 1792, Grace Harrington, dau. of 
Daniel and Anna (Munroe) Harrington. They commenced house- 
keeping in Lex., afterwards they moved to Medford, where they 
lived _ fourteen years, when they moved to Chelsea, where they 
remained fourteen years, and after an absence of twenty-eio-ht vears, 
came back to Lex., and took up their abode on the place occupied by 
the late Capt. Larkin Turner. He d. Sept. 12, 1837, aged 71: she 
d. Aug. 27, 1842. 

Harriet, b. Nov. 23, 1792 ; d. July 8, 1809. 

Lucy, b. Oct. 12, 1794; d. Sept. 25, 1796. 

Abner, b. Feb. 25, 1797 ; m. Sarah Buckman ; she d. and he m. 

Eliza Tufts. They resided in West Cambridge, where he died. 
Larkin, b. May 10, 1798; d. July 12, 1801. 
Lucy P., b. July 26, 1803 ; m. May 23, 1833, Larkin Turner. 



LORING Pierce m. Sybil Wellington, dau. of William Wellington 
of Waltham. He moved to Lex. and took np his abode on Main 
street, where Loring S. Pierce now resides. He d. Oct. 11, 1857. 

Catharine, b. Oct 28, 1807 ; m. Phinehas Lawrence. He d. and she 
is now living, a widow. 

Sybil, b. Sept. 6, 1811; ra. Amos Russell of West Camb., and d. 
March 17, 1837. 

Almira, b. Jan. 1, 1814; d. July 18, 1837, unra. 

Loring, b. Jan. 13, 1816; d. Jan. 26, 1816. 

\Loring 8., b. March 1, 1817; m. April 23, 1846, Frances A. Har- 
rington. 

Lois S., b. Nov. 11, 1819; ra. Amos Russell, late husband of her 
sister Sybil, deceased. 

Eleanor J., b. Sept. 14, 1823 ; m. William P. Locke of West Camb. 



Nathaniel Pierce m. Nov. 25, 1827, Abigail Wellington of 
Waltham, dau. of William and Avis (Fiske) Wellington, b. Feb. 
11, 1806. 

Harriet R., b. April 9, 1828 ; d. July 15, 1830. 

Susan, b. Oct. 27, 1829 ; m. May 8, 1854, Charles Nunn of West 
Roxbury, who moved to Lex. and resides near the junction of Main 
and Middle streets. They had first, Charles P., b. April 4, 1855, 
second, Leah A., b. July 4, 1857, third, Nathaniel, b. Feb. 
23, 1859. 

Nathaniel, b. Aug. 26, 1831. 

Abbie, b. Nov. 15, 1835; m. Dec. 25, 1856, George Conant of 
Somcrville. She d. suddenly Nov. 27, 1857. 

Elizabeth, h. Dec. 31, 1837. 

Emma I., b. Nov. 26, 1840; d. July 19, 1843. 

Willard E., b. March 17, 1843. 119 Emma L, b. July 8, 1847. 

Ebenezer Pierce m. Jan. 6, 1814, Nabby Brown, dau. of James 
and Betty (Reed) Brown. 

Harrison, h. Dec. 26, 1813 ; m. Harriet F. Penny. They have had 
Harriet Ann, b. Feb. 25, 1842, d. May 27, 1844; Harrison R., b. 
July 15, 1846, d. April 23, 1848; Alice W., b. Nov. 5, 1850. 
Ella, b. April 18, 1815. 
^^^ Daniel, b. June 27, 1817 ; d. Sept. 12, 1852. 

123 -SMsan, b. Oct. 28, 1819; d. Oct. 23, 1822. .. ,. ,o-r 

I2'i\ Susan, b. Sept. 10, 1823; m. Jonas Harrington ; d. Aprd 16, 18^6. 



186 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



125 

126 



85-99- 



99-127 

128 
130 
131 



94-109- 



109-133 
135 



1- 2 
3 

4 
6 

7 



Hiram, b. May 1, 1826. 

Ophelia, b. 1829 ; d. Oct. 10, 1831. 



Pelatiah p. Pierce m. Dec. 25, 1833, Paulina Burbank, dau. of 
Col. Sullivan Burbank. 

Sullivan, b. Nov. 6, 1834. He was drowned wLile skating on the 

ice, Dec. 15, 1849. 

Ellen, b. April 27, 1836. 129 Paulina, b. Nov. 5, 1838. 

Emily R., b. 1841 ; d. Sept. 14, 1843. 

Emily A., b. Feb. 20, 1845. 132 Frank D., b. Jan. 2, 1851. 



LoRiNG S. Pierce m. April 23, 1846, Frances A. Harrington, 
dau. of Lewis and Sally (Dudley) Harrington. He has filled the 
office of selectman and assessor several years. 



Oeorge L., b. Feb. 22, 1847. 
Alfred, b. Feb. 10, 1858. 



134 Gertrude, b. April 2, 1853. 



THE PLUMER FAMILY. 

Francis Plumer was born in Newbury, Berkshire county, Eng- 
land. He and his two sons were of a party of twenty-three who came 
over in 1C33, and settled in Ipswich. They moved, 1635, to the 
north side of Parker river, so named in honor of their pastor. Rev. 
Thomas Parker, and called the place Newbury. Francis Plumer 
was made freeman 1634, and d. July 17, 1672. The descendants 
have been quite distinguished — five of whom have been members of 
Congress. Samuel, his son, b. 1619, and d. 1682; Sylvanus, son 
of Samuel, b. 1658, d. 1724; Samuel, son of Sylvanus, was b. 1684, 
d. 1760 ; Samuel, son of Samuel, was b. 1722, d. 1803 ; William, 
son of Samuel, was b. 1759, and d. 1850. Samuel Plumer, with his 
son AVilliam, then but a lad, moved to Epping, N. H: Willliara 
became one of the most prominent men in New Hampshire. He 
represented the State in the U. S. Senate, and also filled the Execu- 
tive chair of the State. He was for many years one of the leading 
lawyers and statesmen, at a period when the State was not wanting 
in able men. 

William Plumer, the son of Gov. William, was b. 1789, and d. 
1854. He was honored by his fellow citizens with many offices of 
trust, and was elected to Congress. 

William Plujier, son of the preceding, was b. Nov. 29, 1823 ; 
grad. H. C. 1845, entered the law school, then in charge of Judge 
Story, and was admitted to the bar, 1848. Oct. 2, 1850, m. Emily J. 
Lord, dau. of Joseph H. and Judith M. Lord of Caiub., and moved 
to Lex. During the late rebellion, he entered the service of the 
United States, and commanded a company of sharpshooters. He 
received an injury at the Battle of Gettysburg, which induced him 
to leave the service. His children were born in Lexington. 

William, b. Sept. 5, 1851. 

Edith Mansfield, b. Feb. 27, 1853. 

Margaret Frost, b. Aug. 8,>1854. 5 Grace Herbert, b. Jan. 28, 1856. 

Edward Lord, b. Oct. 7, 1857 ; d. June 24. 1858. 

Mary Elizabeth, b. July 27, 1859. 8 Annie Doio, b. March 7, 1861. 



1- 2 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 187 

THE POULTER FAMILY. 

The Poulters were of German descent, though they came to 
this country from Enrjland. John Poulter was in Billerica 1676. 
He m. Rachel Eliot of Braintree. John Poulter, who was at Cara- 
brige Farms in 1693, was probably son of John of Billerica. He 
probably m. Hannah Hammond of Watertown. Jonathan Poul- 
ter appears in the precinct about the same time as John. They 
were probably brothers. While we cannot give a full and connected 
view of the family, we can present the following, 

Jonathan Poulter and his wife, Elizabeth, were ad. to the ch. 
in Lex. 1697. They had at least seven children. Abigail, b. Sept. 
3, 1692; Elizabeth, b. Feb. 5, 1694; Hannah, b. Nov. 12, 1697; 
Mary,h. Jan. 11, 1700; llachel, b. May 11, 1702; Jonathan, b. 
Jan. 11, 1705, probably d. May 2, 1707; Submit, b. June 16, 1708. 
Jonathan, the father, d. May 27, 1708, and his wid. d. July 9, 1741. 



John Poulter m. Hannah Hammond and had a family, a perfect 
list of which we are unable to give. We find the following only. 
Sarah Poulter, bap. Dec. 30, 1799, John owning the covenant. Sarah 
ni. about 1719, William Reed, 2d. Her mother being a Hammond, 
and her grandmother an Eliot, will account for those names in the 
Reed family. Mary, a dau. of John Poulter, was bap. J in. 12, 
1700. She was ad. to the ch. 1728. Catharine, bap. April 25, 1703, 
d. Aug. 19, 1705; Eliot, h. June 19, 1709. John Poulter, the 
lather, d. July 22, 1741, and iiis wife d. Dec. 12, 1735. John Poulter 
was selectman, 17 18. They resided in the neighborhood of tlie Reeds- 



THE PRESTON FA^IILY. 

Mar.shall Pre.ston came to Lex. from Billerica in 1849. His 
family record, as far as ascertained, is as follows : 

Amariah Preston of Connecticut, m. Elizabeth Warren of New- 
ton, Mass., and r. in Uxbridge. She d. about 1756, and he m. a 
second wife. He d. in Roxbury, Delaware Co., N. Y., Feb. 27, 
1834, at the advanced age of 95. He had a son bearing his own 
name. 

Amariah Preston, b. Feb. 5, 1758; m. Oct. 18, 1790, Hannah 
Reed of Bedford. She d. Feb. 8, 1795, and he m. May 15, 1796, 
Ruhamah Lane, dau. of John and Rebecca, who d. Oct. 2, 1826. Mr. 
Preston had an eventful life. His mother dying when he wasabout 
two years ohl, he was put out, as the term was, and after living in 
Uxbridge, Mass., and Ashford, Conn., he went to Dighton, Mass., 
to learn a trade. In 1777, he entered the Continental, army and 
served three years. In 1785, he conniienced the study of medicine 
and established himself in Bedford, where he practiced forty-five 
years. His wife dying, and he being in the seventy-fifth year of his 
a"-e, and not affluent in his circumstances, he left Bedford to reside 
with his son, Hervey N. Preston, then practicing medicine in Ply- 
mouth. His son dying soon after his arrival, he immediately entered 
upon his practice," and though advanced in life, he retrieved his 
fortune by continuing in practice till he was eighty-seven years of 
age. He then left Plymouth to reside with his son Marshall at 
Billerica. Soon after "this his son removed to Lex., and the old 
gentleman came with him, where he spent the remainder of his days. 
He d. Oct. 29, 1853, aged 95 years, 8 months, and 24 days. He 



188 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



2- 3 

4 
5 
6 

7 



2-3- 



3-10 



11 



retained bis faculties both bodily and mental to the last ; and his 
whole life furnishes a remarkable instance of energy and perseverance. 

\Mars7iaU, b. June 5, 1792 ; m. Feb. 12, 1824, Maria Parker. 

Hannah, b. Jan. 8, 1795; d. Aug. 8, 1810. 

Amariah, b. June 21, 1798; d. March 22, 1831, in N. Y. State. 

Ezekiel Warren, b. July 8, 1800 ; d. Sept. 7, same year. 

Ezekid Warren, b. Dec. 24, 1802 ; r. in N. Y. State. 

Herverj N., b. June 21, 1806 ; d, July 14, 1837. 

LoviceM., b. Feb. 19, 1809; d. June 18, 1843. 



Marshall Preston m. Feb. 12, 1824, Maria Parker of Billerica, 
dau. of John and Susan (Minot) Parker, b. Oct. 10, 1797. 
He read law with his uncle, Warren Preston, in Maine, and was 
admitted to the bar at Augusta. He subsequently established an 
office in Billerica, where he practiced till he came to Lex. in 1849. 
He held important town offices in Billerica, and was for many years 
assistant clerk of the courts in Middlesex county, which office he 
held till 18G3, when his health failing, he retired from the ^lace he 
had so faithfully filled. They are both living. 

George Henrij, b. June 6, 1825 ; m. Jan, 1, 1855, Catharine R. 
Faulkner of Bil. He grad. at H. C. 1846, read law and practiced 
in Boston, where he resides. They have several children. 

Susan Crosby, b. Sept. 21, 1831 ; d. Nov. 25, 1851. 



PUFFER,— Sylvester Puffer, b. in Sudbury, May 19, 1810; 
m. April 18, 1839, Catharine Brown of Burlington, b, June 29, 
1819, She d. May 18, 1866, aged 46. They have had the following 
chil., all but the oldest b. in Lex. George S., b. in Acton, Feb. 13, 
1840; Man/ C, b, Jan, 12. 1842; Charles H., h. Dec. 30, 1843; he 
entered the service of the United States in the late Rebellion, and d. 
at Alexandria, Ya,, of a wound received at Fredericksburg, Feb, 5, 
1863; William E., b. Jan, 28, 1846; Sarah E., b. July 7, 1849; 
Lucy A., b. June 22, 1852; Beuben W., b. April 28, 1854, d. May 
1, 1854; AlvinH., b. Feb. 22, 1856. He came to Lex, about 1841. 



THE RAYMOND FAMILY. 

The Raymonds were never very numerous in Lexington, though 
at one ti.ne there were several of that name. We are not able to fix 
tlie time when they came to Lexington. We find upon the tax bill 
of 1733 the names of Jonathan Raymond and Jonathan Raymond, jr., 
and in the following year Jonathan, jr., was chosen one of the fence 
viewers in Lexington, Samuel Raymond and his wife, Sarah, were 
admitted to the church, Jan. 26, 1737, by a letter from the church in 
Beverly. Richard Raymond was in Salem in 1634, and the name 
was quite common in Beverly at an early day. As Samuel Raymond 
came Croui Beverly, it is highly probable that Jonathan came from 
the same place, as they were brothers. As Jonathan Raymond in 
1733 bore tlie addition of jr., it is 2:)robable that his liather was in the 
town also at that time. 

Jonathan Raymond, sen., was the father both of Jonathan and 
Samuel. In his will, dated Aug. 16, 1742, and proved Nov, 22, 
1742, he says, "To my beloved sons Jonathan Raymond and Samuel 
Raymond I give twenty shillings each, which, with what I have 
already possessed them with, is what I devise to them out of my 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



189 



1- 2 
3 
4 
6 

8 
9 



10 



1-2- 



2-11 
12 
14 

15 

1-3- 



3-16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
24 

2-lo- 



15-2:) 
27 

28 



3-17- 



17-29 
31 
32 



estate." He also mentions in his will his wife. Charity, to whom he 
gives among other things. " the use of my boy Robin." He mentions 
further, sons, Thomas, William, Bartholomew, and Josiaii, and dau. 
Sarah Tidd, deceased, Mehitabel, and Charity. The birth of a part 
of these children are borne upon the Lexington records, though most 
of them were born before he came to Lexington. She d. March 9, 
17G8, aged 87. 



J Samuel, h. 



m. Sarah 



\Joiiathan, b. Feb. 27, 1702 ; m. Hepzibah . 

Thomas, b. . 5 William, b. 

Sarah, b. . 7 Josiah, b. — 

Bartholomew, b. 



Mehitabel, b. Oct. 12, 1721; ad. to the ch. in Lex. July 18, 1742; 

she m. Stephen Locke. 
Charity, b. Sept. 15, 1724; m. Thomas Blodgett. 



Samuel Raymond m. Sarah 
Lex. Jan. 26, 1737. 



Thev were ad. to the ch. in 



Sarah, b. Nov. 6, 1730; m. April 12, 1753, Thomas Smith. 
Charitij, b. Dec. 12, 1733. 13 Samvel, b. Dec. 4, 1735. 

Jonah, b. Sept. 18, 1738 ; m. March 23, 1762, Submit Whittemore. 
^Bartholomew, b. May 7, 1742. 

Jonathan Raymond m. Hepzibah . They were ad. to the 

ch. in Lex. May 9, 1756, by a letter from Beverly. He d. Aug. 9, 
1760, and she m. Dec. 29, 1763, Thomas Munroe of Concord. 

nepzibah, h. Sept. 19, 1729; m. Dec. 13, 1751, Dr. Joseph Fiske. 
\'/ohn, h. Sept. 5, 1731. He was of Capt. Parker's co. in 1775. 
i Jonathan, b. Sept. 17, 1734 ; m. Oct. 4, 1756, Susannah White. 
Elisabeth, h. April 10, 1737 ; m. Aug. 17, 1756, Ebenezer Winship. 
Mary, b. Aug. 20, 1740 ; m. Feb. 2, 1757, Nathaniel Piper. 
Hannah, b. Aug. 27, 1742; m. Feb. 16, 1762, Samuel Reed. 
Daniel, b. March 18, 1744, 23 Josejyh, b. May 31, 1747. 

Buth, b. March 24, 1752. 



Bartholomew R.vymond m. Mehitabel Mallett of Charlestown, 
(o which place he removed before the opening of the Revolution. 
He run a ferrv-boat across Charles River, before the building of 
Charles River Bridge. He d. 1831, aged 71 ; she d. 1828, aged 76. 



Bartholomew, b. Sept. 1, 1776 
William, b. Aug. 8, 1786. 

Samuel, b. July 26, 1788. He m. a Miss Wheeler of Bolton 
ai'e both dead. 



26 Mehitabel, b. May 29, 1780. 

They 



John Raymond ni. Rebecca . He was killed by the British 

soldiers on the 19th of April, in a brutal and cowardly manner. He 
was infirm, and was tending bar at the Munroe Tavern. The British 
entered the house and helped themselves to whatever the house 
alibrded. They compelled Raymond to wait upon them, and after 
they had imbibed freely, they became noisy and tumultuous, and 
Raymond being alarmed for his personal safety, was in the act of 
leaving the house, when he was shot down by these vandals, 

JoJm, h. Nov. 24, 1763. 30 Eliakim, b. July 29, 1765. 

Rebecca, b. Oct. 7, 1768 ; m, Ebenezer Danforth and went South. 
Isaac, b. March 9, 1770. 33 Edmund, b. Aug. 17, 1773. 

82 



190 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



3-18- 



1- 2 



2- 3 



3- 4 



4-11- 



JoNATHAN Raymond m. Oct. 4, 1756, Susanna White, dau. of 
Joseph and Hannah Wliitc. They probably lived for a short period 
in Wat., as we tiiid the following i-ecord of the baptism of one of 
their cliildren. " Baptized Mary Raymond, dau. of Jonathan, jr., the 
parents having owned the covenant in Watertown." They had a 
fjimily of eleven children, si.x sons and five dau. Among them were 
Susanna, b. March 28, 1757; IMary, bap. Nov. 28, 1759; Hepzibah, 
bap. Jan. 3, 17G2. They removed to Westminster about 1763, 
where most of his children were born, and where he d. about 1783. 
He was a soldier in the AVar of the Revolution. Some of his 
descendants are found in Westminster at the present day. 



There are at the present time, Raymonds in town, but from a 
different family, though probably of the same original stock, and 
not till recently resident in this place. 

William Raymond emigrated from England and settled first at 
Salem and afterward at Beverly. He had four children. 



Danip:l Raymond, his second son, ra. Abigail Balch, 1714. He 
moved to Marblehead. He and his eldest son died in the expedition 
to Louisburg, 1745. 

Freeboun Raymond, the youngest son of Daniel, b. Feb. "20, 
1741, m. about 17G1, Mary Young. She d. and he ni. about 1778, 
Sarah Powers. He d. Feb. 11, 1817. He had sixteen children b. 
in Athol. 



Freeborn Raymond, eldest son of the foregoing, b. June 4, 
1762, m. first, Lucinda Graves, and had one sou. She d. and he m. 
second, Lois Kendall, and third, Jane Rich, who d. March 15, 1865. 
He d. July 3, 1824. He had the following children. 

Wi/man, b. Jan. 31, 1788. 6 Freeman C, b. Dec. 13, 1801. 

Louisa K., b. Sept. 2, 1803. 

Freeborn F., h. Dec. 2, 1805; d. 1808. 

Thatcher B., b. March 9, 1808 ; d. June 17, 1860. 

Lucinda G., h. Nov. 20, 1810. 

^Freeborn F., b. Oct. 19, 1812, at Athol. 

Jane Y., b. Aug. 9, 1815, at JalFrev, N. H, 

Eliza Ann, b. July 20, 1818; d. Nov. 11, 1837. 

Joseph P., h. July 1, 1821, at Nashua, N. H. 



Freeborn F. Raymond m. June 12, 1855, Sarah F. Richardson, 
dau. of A. P. and Betsey (Reed) Richardson of Lex. He took up 
his residence in Lex. about the time of his marriage, but does busi- 
ness in Boston. Their children are Franldin F., b. May 2, 1856; 
Helen E., b. May 25, 1859, d. Aug. 23, 1863; Henry S., b. May 
18, 1866. 



THE REED FAMILY. 

The Reeds came to Cambridge Farms from Woburn in 1686. 
They were in the country much earlier. There is considerable diffi- 
culty in tracing the residence of the first ancestor of this family, 
arising from the fact that there are several persons among the early 
emigrants of the same name. But there is evidence which we deem 
reliable, that William Reed and his wife, Mabel, with three of their 
children, viz., George, then six years old, Ralph, five years old, and 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



191 



1- 2 
3 

4 

5 
(i 

7 
8 




1-2- 



2-10 
11 
12 
13 
14 

15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 

2-15- 



Justus, eighteen months, came to New England from London, in the 
ship Defence, in 1635. He was at that time forty-eigiit years ohl, 
and his wife thirty. lie settled first at Dorchester ; but liivc many 
of the early settlers moved from place to place, at least temporarily. 
In 1G39, he sold his real estate in Dorchester and moved to Scitiiate. 
where he was constable in 1G44. While there he sent his wife to 
Dorchester on horse-back with an infant to be baptized ; he being a 
member of the church in that place. He was probably a resident at 
Muddy River (now Brookline) in 1648, when he purchased of Nicho- 
las Davis a farm in Woburn of some sixty acres, "with all the barns, 
out-houses, fences, and all to the same belonging." He probably 
moved to Woburn soon after he made this purchase, and resided 
there a few years, when he and his wife returned to I^ngland, where 
he died at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1656. He made his will, ap- 
pointing no executor, and Oliver Cromwell made his wife, Mabel, 
executrix, on the last day of October, 1G56 ; and she returned to this 
country to their children, then in Woburn, Nov. 21, 1660. She m, 
Henry Sumner of Woburn, whom she survived, and d. in the family 
of her son George, June 15, 1690, aged 85 years. Most of the 
Heeds of Lexington descended from 

William Rekd and Mabel, his wife, whose maiden name was 
probably Kendall. 

\Genrge, b. in Eng. 1629; ni. Oct. 4, 1652, Elizabeth Jennison. 
Ralph, b. in Eng. 1630; m. Mary Pierce of Wat. and d. in Woburn, 

Jan. 4, 1712, aged 81, and left issue. 
Jiishis, b. in Eng. 1633 ; d. before his parents went to England. 
Abigail, b. probably in Dor. ; m. Oct. 2, 1650, Francis Wyman. 
Bclhia, b. probably in Dorchester; m. Apr. 28, 1657, John Johnson, 

son of Capt. Edward, Author of *' Wonder- Working Providence." 
Israel, b. 1642; m. Mary, dau. of Francis Kendall, his cousin. 

Sarah, b. ; m. Sept. 10, 1662, Samuel Walker. 

Rebecca, b. ; m. Joseph Winn. 

The above named children all resided in Woburn. George, Ralph, 
and Israel had large families, making the name of Reed quite com- 
mon in that town. 



Georgk Reed m. Oct. 4, 1652, Elizabeth Jennison, dau. of 
Robert Jennison of AVat. She was b. April 12, 1637, and d. Feb. 
2(), 1665. He m. Nov. 9, 1665, Hannah Rockwell of Charlestown. 
He had eight children by his first wife, and five by his last. He d. 
Feb. 21, 1706, aged 77. 

Elizabeth, b. July 29, 1653; m. Dec. 15, 1675, David Fiske of Wat. 
Twins, b. Nov. 14, 1654; d. without names. 

Samuel, b. April 29, 1656 ; m. April 19, 1679, Elizabeth Munsal. 
Abigail, b. June 27, 1658; m. Sept. 18, 1694, Nathaniel Richardson. 
George, b. Sept. 14, 1660; m. Feb. 18, 1684, Abigail Pierce. He 

was deacon of the church many years, and d. Jan. 20, 1756. 
\WiUiam, b. Sept. 22, 1662; m. May 24, 1686, Abigail Kendall. 

Sarah, b. Feb. 12, 1665 ; m. Dec. 12, 1685, Robinson. 

Hannah, b. Feb. 18, 1669 ; m. Elson. 

John, b. March 18, 1671; m. June 10, 1697, Ruth Johnson, 
Mary, b. June 15, 1674; m. 1697, Matthew Johnson, 
Timothy, b, Oct. 20, 1678 ; m. Persis Kendall. 
Thomas, b. July 15, 1682; m. Feb. 1, 1704, Sarah Sawyer. 



William Reed m. May 24, 1686, Abigail Kendall of Woburn. 
She had extra fingers and toes, and from this blood that excrescence 



192 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



15-22 
23 
24 

25 
26 

27 
28 

15-23- 



23-29 
30 
31 
32 
33 



34 



lias cropped out from generation to generation in some branches of 
the family. William Keed, or Capt. Reed as he was generally called, 
may be regarded as the ancestor of the greater part of the Reeds of 
Lexington, though there were others of the name, who will be no- 
ticed hereafter. He was one of ths most prominent citizens of the 
precinct and town. He was a justice of the peace, filled the office of 
selectman, and i-epresented the town in the General Court several 
years. He was equally prominent in the church, being one of the 
original members. He purchased land in the north-westerly part of 
the township, and located himself on what is now known as Bedford 
street, near the residence of the late Christopher Reed. He added 
to his real estate from time to time, and became a large land-holder, 
and so was able to leave a good farm to each of his three sons. A 
portion of his lands has remained in the family to the present day. 
The neighborhood of Capt. Reed's residence was at one time the 
most populous of any part of the town out of the village. In addi- 
tion to the Reeds, which were quite numerous, the Hewses, Trasks, 
Poulters, Kendalls, Lawrences, Dnnklees, and Fassetts all resided 
on or near Bedford street. No family of the early settlers has sus- 
tained its standing, through all periods of the town's history, better 
than the Reeds. He d. May 12, 1718, aged 56, and she d. Oct. 
12, 1734. 

Abigail, b. May 29, 1687 : m. Jonathan Fiske and moved to Sud. 

\William, b. July 18, 1693; m. Sarah Poulter. 

Mary, b. April 8, 1695; m. April 8, 1714, Dea. John Stone, and d. 

Oct. 1, 1772. 
^Benjamin, b. Oct. 22. 1696 ; m. Rebecca Stone. 
Samuel, b. Oct. 20, 1699; d. April 3, 1711. 
\Joshua, b. June 20, 1702; m. Elizabeth Russell. 
Hepzibah, b. Dec. 10, 1705 ; m. April 19, 1724, Daniel Tidd. 



William Reed m. Sarah Poulter, dau. of John, about 1719. He 
was an active and efficient man, both in the church and in the town. 
He held for many years a commission of jnstice of the peace, and 
did considerable business in that capacity; and was well known in 
the town and vicinity by the appellation of ''Squire Reed. He was 
very popular with the people, and received all the honors in their 
gift. Besides minor offices, he was selectman eleven years, and 
representative seventeen years. He was also a captain in the mili- 
tia, and was out with a portion of his company in the French war, in 
1755. He d. Feb. 11, 1778, aged 85; she d. Nov. 25, 1769. He 
resided in the house owned by the late Christopher Reed on Bedford 
street. 

\William, b. Jan. 1, 1720; m. Jan. 1, 1741, Abigail Stone. 
\Samuel, b. May 4, 1722 ; m. Eunice Stone. 
Sarah, b. June 3, 1725 ; m. Dec. 23, 1742, Benjamin Brown. 
Mary, b. March 10, 1728 ; m. May 4, 1753, William Bowman. 
Oliver, b. March 25, 1730; m. April 11, 1754, Sarah Bridge, who 

was b. Dec. 21, 1735. They moved to Bedford, where they had 

Oliver, b. 1755, Sarah, b. 1757, Reuben, b. 1759, and Mary, b. 

1763. 
John, b. May 28, 1731 ; m. Ruhamah Brown ; r. in Bedford, Jan. 

18, 1753. 
\Hammon, b. April 28, 1734; m. Betty Simonds. 
Eliot, b. April 28, 1737 ; m. May 3, 1757, Joseph Bridge. 
Hannah, b. Oct. 21, 1740; m. April 14, 1761, John Bridge. 
]Nathan, b. Nov. 9, 1743 ; m. April 30, 1782, Mary Page. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



193 



15-25- 



25-39 
40 
41 

42 
48 
44 

45 
4G 
47 

48 

15-27- 



27-49 
50 
51 
52 
53 
54 

23-29- 



29-55 
5G 

57 
58 

69 
60 
61 
62 
63 

64 
65 

23-30- 



Benjamin Reed m. Rebecca Stone, dau. of Samuel and Dorcas 
(Jones) Stone, b, 1696. She d. and he m. July 19, 1753, Mrs. 
Hannah Estabrook, wid. of Dea. Joseph Estabrook, and dau. 'of Jo- 
seph Bowman. He d. Dec. 25, 1765. Like his brother William, he 
was frequently called by his townsmen to places of honor and trust. 
He was constable, assessor, selectman nine years, and representative 
ten years. lie was a major in the militia when that office was filled 
by the most prominent citizens. He was also justice of the peace. 
He d. July 13, 1789, aged 93 ; she d. April 1, 1768. 

Betijamin, h. May 13, 1718; moved to Holden. 
Abigail, b. March 30, 1720 ; d. Sept. 12. 1734. 
Jonas, h. June 7, 1722 ; he was dismissed from the church in Lex. 

to the ch. in Rutland, Nov. 1763. 
Rebecca, b. Nov. 25, 1724 ; m. John Muzzy. 
\lsaac, b. July 30, 1727; m. April 22, 1754, Mary Bridge. 
Jonalhnn, b. March 8, 1729 ; m. Jan. 30, 1754, Sarah Lawrence ; r. 

at Littleton. 
Thaddeus, b. June 17, 1732; d. April 21, 1741. 
Dorcas, b. July 18, 1734; m. Oct. 15, 1750, David Cutler. 
Samuel, b. April 3, 1737 ; m. Feb. 16, 1762, Hannah Raymond ; r. 

at Littleton. 
Ruth, b. Nov. 9. 1741 ; ra. Dec. 13, 1759, Ebenezer Estabrook. 



Joshua Reed m. Jan. 21, 1725, Elizabeth Russell, dau. of Jona- 
than and Elizabeth. She d. Feb. 29, 1744; he d. Oct. 15, 1755. 
The inventory of his estate shows the manners and customs of the 
times, by giving us i\,ioarming-2jan,flax-comh, box-heater, jjillion, &c. 

Elizabeth, h. Feb. 28, 1726 ; m. Jonathan Winship. 
Hepzibah, b. March 8, 1728 ; d. about 1754. 
\Joshua, b. May 15, 1730 ; was twice married. 

James, b. . 

Joseph, b. June 21, 1739 ; r. at Rutland. 
Rebecca S.,h. . 



William Reed m. Jan. 1, 1741, Abigail Stone. She d. Nov. 30, 
1773, and he m. Lydia Ingalls. He d. Oct. 9, 1813, aged 93; she 
d. March 9, 1817. 

'iWilliam, b. Oct. 2, 1742; m. Dec. 1, 1768, Elizabeth Davis. 
Abigail, b. Sept. 22, 1744; m. Jan. 21, 1766, William Grimes. 
Sarah, b. May 14, 1747 ; m. Dec. 6, 1770, Oliver Bacon. 
Nathaniel, b. June 2, 1749 ; m. Jan. 16, 1772, Hepzibah Bateman 

of Bedford. 
3Iart/, h. July 17, 1751 ; m. April 28, 1774, Moses Harrington. 
Beuiah, b. May 4, 1753 ; m. June 28, 1787, Abel Johnson of Boston. 
\ Thaddeus, h. Aug. 25, 1755 ; m. A nna Longley of Littleton. 
Josiah, b. Aug. 25, 1757 ; was twice ra. ; d. without issue. 
Hannah, h. Oct. 8, 1758; m. Nov. 28, 1782, James Danforth of 

Fitchburg. 
3Iilly, b. April 26, 1762 ; d. unm. in Boston. 
Esther, b. Oct. 25, 1765; d. unm. Nov. 24, 1786. 



Samuel Reed m. Eunice Stone and moved to what is now Bur- 
lington, where he had a large family. Moses, one of his sons, m. 
Apl-il 23, 1770, Sarah Whittemore of Lex. and moved to this place, 
where they were ad. to the ch. Jan. 27, 1771. They had Whitte- 
more, b. Feb. 18, 1771 ; Moses, b. Aug. 10, 1773 ; Sarah, b. April 
1 1775 ; Abel, b. May 8, 1777 ; and Elizabeth, b. Feb. 17, 1779. 



194 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



23-35- 



35-66 
67 
68 
69 
70 
71 

23-38- 



38-72 
73 
74 
75 
76 
77 

78 
79 



25-43- 



27-51- 



51-80 
81 
82 
83 

84 
85 



29-55- 



55-86 
87 
88 
90 
91 



Hammon Reed m. April 13, 1757, Betty Simonds. He was one 
of the gallant band who struck for liberty, April 19, 1775. He filled 
several important town offices, being five years selectman during the 
most important period of our history, and was one of the Committee 
of Safety, 1778. She d. l^eb. 2, 1815 ; he d. July 12, 1817. 

Betty, b. Dec. 12, 1757 ; m. May 30, 1780, James Brown. 
Lydia, b. July 11, 1760; m. Nov. 5, 1786, Thomas Locke of Wo. 
\Hammon, b. Feb. 24, 1763 ; m. Oct. 26, 1786, Sarah Chandler. 
Patty, b. Dec. 5, 1765; m. Nov. 28, 1786, Amos Marrett. 
Sarah, b. June 22, 1770; d. young. 
Benjamin, b. Oct. 22, 1774; d. young. 



Nathan Reed m. April 30, 1772, Mary Page of Bedford, dau. 
of Christopher and Susanna Page. He and his wife were ad. to the 
ch. Jan. 24, 1773. He was subsequently chosen deacon, whicli 
office he held from 1787 to 1808, when he resigned on account of ill 
health. He d. Nov. 17, 1811, aged 68; she d. May 17, 1831, aged 
84. He was one of the band which faced the British in 1775. He 
served as selectman several years. He was a large land-holder in 
Lex. and elsewhere. 

Nathan, b. Feb. 7, 1773; d. Aug. 1, 1775. 

\Nathan, b. Sept. 15, 1776 ; m. Polly Muzzy. 

Mary, b. Oct. 20, 1778; m. Dec. 3. 1799, John Merriam of Bed. 

Sarah, h, July 1, 1781. She is living, in her eighty-seventh year. 

Hiraju, h. June 22, 1784 ; d. Feb. 8, 1808, unni. 

Susanna W., b. Dec. 10, 1786; m. 1815, John Chandler, and d. 

Dec. 19, 1863, leaving one dau. Sarah Chandler. 
Hannah, b. Sept. 4, 1789 ; d. Aug. 30, 1854, unm, 
^Christopher, b. March 18, 1792; m. Betsey Gibson of Francestown, 

N. H. 



Isaac Reed m. April 2, 1754, Mary Bridge, dau. of John Bridge, 
b. April 19, 1733. He had one child, Isaac, b. May 18, 1755, in 
Lex. He moved to Littleton. 



Joshua Reed m. Nov. 27, 1753, Mrs. Susanna Houghton of 
Lancaster. He was one of Capt. Parker^s co. 1775, and was one of 
the selectmen in the eventful period of the Revolution. 

Betty, b. Nov. 26, 1754 ; m. Jan. 6, Ebenezer Muzzy. 

\JosJma, b. Sept. 11, 1756 ; he was twice married. 

Susanna, b. March 11, 1759; m. Jonas Bridge. 

Hepzibah, b. Feb, 26, 1769 ; m. May 10, 1790, William Wait of 

(rreenfield. 
James, b. Dec. 15, 1771; m. Susanna Stone of Rindge, N. H. 
Rebecca, bap. June 26, 1774; m. Feb. 22, 1801, David Wait of 

Deerfield, a brother of William, who married her sister. 



William Reed m. Dec. 1, 1768, Elizabeth Davis of Bed. He 
was in Parker's co. on the 19th of April, and marched with them to 
Camb. June 17, 1775. 

Elizabeth, b. March 7, 1770. 

William, b. May 11, 1772; d. April 3, 1776. 

Abigail, b. Mav 8, 1774. 89 Buthy, b. June 9, 1776. 

Wiiliam, b. Ap'ril 5, 1778. 

Lydia, b. Nov. 3, 1780 ; d. March 6, 1822, unm. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



195 



29-61- 



61-92 
93 
9-i 
95 
96 
97 
98 



35-C8- 



68- 99 
100 
101 
102 
10;5 
104 



38-73- 



73-105 
106 



107 
108 



38-79- 
51-81- 



81-109 
110 
111 



68-100- 



100-112 
113 



Thaddeus Reed m. Anna Lonjjley of Littleton, His second 
son, ^Yllllam, came home from New York, 1824, with the small pox, 
and fiave it to the fiimily. of which both the parents, and his brother 
Thaddeus' ^yife, died. Luther Prescott, husband of their dau. Anna, 
also fell a victim to the same disease, the same year. 

Edmund, h. Oct. 20, 1788. 

Esther, b. Aujr. 16, 1790; m. April 21, 1812, John Parker. 

William, b. Feb. 13, 1792. 

Thaddeus, b. Oct. 1, 1794; m. Dec. 8, 1819, Phebe Prescott of Con. 

A7ina, b. Feb. 12, 1797 ; m. Jan. 6, 1819, Luther Prescott of Con. 

Augustus, h. June 27, 1799. 

Levi, b. Julv 24, 1801. 



Hammon Reed m. Oct. 25, 1786, Sarah Chandler, dau. of John 
and Beulah (Merriam) Chandler, b. Feb. 27, 1764. She d. April 
24, 1854, aged 90 ; he d. Aug. 31, 1848, aged 85. 

Sarah, b. May 17, 1788 ; d. Nov. 10, 1788. 

} Benjamin, b. Jan. 20, 1790; m. Bethia L. Webber. 

Sally, b. June 21, 1792; m. April, 1817. William Nichols of Bur. 

Betsey, b. June 15, 1799 ; m. June 26, 1823, Aaron P. Richardson. 

5r^^' ^wIns,b.Jan.26,1804;5'^-^"«^'-lV±'o'^T>, t, o • , 
Alnura, ^ ' ^ m. Jan. 29, 1829, Eben R. Smith. 



Nathan Reed m. Aug. 30, 1797, Mary Muzzey, dau. of John 
and Rebecca (Munroe) Muzzey. He d. July 20, 1836, aged 60. 



^Cijrus, b. Nov. 9, 1798; m. April 4, 1824, Sarah Jewett. 
Nidhan Horatio, h. Sept. 28, 1805; m. April 20, 1841, 

]\Ieigs. Tliev had one child, who is living in Wisconsin. 

March 11, 1854; she d. Jan. 9. 1868. 
Hiram, b. Feb. 8, 1810; d. March 30, 1854, unm. 
Marshall, b. Oct. 4, 1815; d. July 31, 1837. 



Luzilla 
He d. 



Christopher Reed m. Betsey Gibson of Francestown, N. H. 
He d. Sept. 25, 1861. They had one child, William Eustis. 



Joshua Reed m. Sept. 11, 1780, Susanna Leathers. She d. 
Sept. 8, 1802, and he ra. Elizabeth Brooks of Line. He d. Sept. 8, 
1826. He was a member of Capt. Parker's company. 

\Charles, b. July 10, 1781 ; ni. Almira Muzzy. 

Susanna, b. Jan. 30, 1783; m. Nov. 30, 1813, John Mulliken. 

Phebe, b. Aug. 28, 1792 ; m. Oct. 2, 1822, Thomas Greenleaf. 



Bexjamix Reed m. Feb. 3, 1825, Bethia L. Webber of Bedford, 
dau. of John and Bethia (Lane) Webber. He was a prominent citi- 
zen, being one of the selectmen six years. He also held the com- 
mission of captain in the militia. He d. Oct. 16, 1860, aged 71 years. 

Frances Walker, b. Dec. 21, 1825; d. April 4, 1863, unm. 
Hammon, b. Sept. 25, 1829 ; m. Oct. 19, 1856, Sylvia Wadsworth 

of Milford, N. H.. dau. of Samuel and Rhoda (Fitch) Wadsworth. 

He has fdled the offices of overseer of the poor and of selectman 

several years, and also holds a commission of justice of the peace. 

They have three children, George H., b. Jan. 31, 1858 ; William W., 

b. June 28, 1859 ; Sylvia B.,\i. May 21, 1864. 



196 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



73-105- 
105-114 



115 
116 



81-109- 



109-117 



1- 2 



2- 3 



3- 4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 

3-4- 



4-12 
13 

14 
15 

16 
17 
18 
19 



Cyrus Reed ru, April 4, 1824, Sarah Jewett of Boxboro'. 

John Muzzy, b. May 24, 1825; m. June 7, 1866, Alice L. Hobart of 
Hingham, They have one child, Louisa Hobart, b. April 19, 18G7. 
George Henry, h. May 7, 1831. 
Catharine Eliza, b. Jan. 30, 1832. 



Charles Reed m. Oct. 23, 1817, Alraira Muzzy, dau. of Amos 
and Lydia (Boutelle) Muzzy. She d. Nov. 15, 1819, aged 25 years, 
and he m. June 28, 1821, Martha Wellington. He d. May 19, 1846. 
aged 65 ; she d. May 10, 1838. He was a popular and influential 
man. He held the office of selectman twelve years, assessor five 
years, town clerk seven years, and town treasurer seven years. 

Charles M., b. Sept. 12, 1819. 118 Henry S., b. June 29, 1822. 



There is another family of Reeds in Lexington, which have been 
in the place several generations ; and though they do not claim any 
relationship with the descendants of William Reed of Lexington, are 
nevertheless from the same stock. George Reed, the oldest son 
of the original emigrant, and father of William Reed, who settled 
in Cambridge Farms, now Lexington, had a large family, and among 
his children was 

Timothy Reed (No. 20, in the Reed family) b. Oct. 20, 1678. 
He was a younger brother of William. He m. Persis Kendall and 
resided in Wo. They had among other children, Jacob, b. 1714. 



Jacob Reed m. June 19, 1741, Elizabeth French of Billerica. 
He resided in Wo. They had a family of seven children. 



Isaac Reed, the youngest child of the foregoing, b. Aug. 9, 1756, 
m. April 27, 1780, Susanna Munroe, dau. of William Munroe. She 
d. 1828, aged 75 ; he d. April 20, 1848, aged 92. 

\lsaac, b. Jan. 12, 1781 ; m. Elizabeth Munroe. 

Sjisan, b. Oct. 16, 1782. 

William, b. March 14, 1785; m. Rebecca Gardner. He d. 1851. 

Oliver, b. Aug. 4, 1787; m. Sarah Thayer. 

Thomas, b. Jan. 18, 1790; m. Relief Pratt, and d. 1829. 

\Reuben, b. March 25, 1792; was twice married. 

Hugh M., b. Dec. 23, 1793; d. 1821, unm. 

Enos, b. Aug. 21, 1796 ; m. Sarah Gardner. 



Isaac Reed m. April 24, 1804, Elizabeth Munroe, dau. of Phile- 
mon and Elizabeth (Waite) Munroe. He probably came to Lex. 
about the time of his marriage. He d. Nov. 10, 1854, aged 73; she 
d. Oct. 24, 1865, aged 80 years. 

Emeline, b. June 10, 1805 ; d. Dec. 22, 1822. 

Susan E., b. Dec. 16, 1807; m. April 9, 1855, William K. Fowle 

of Roxbury. 
Isaac E., b. Jan. 2, 1810; d. Dec. 31, 1836. 
Adeline, b. Jan. 10, 1812; m. Nov. 2, 1842, James Parker. They 

have one child, James Emory, b. Aug. 30, 1845. 
\William H. H., b. Nov. 26, 1813; m. Mary Crowningshield. 
Horatio, b. Dec. 21, 1815; m. Mary Phipps ; resides in New York. 
Parnell M., b. April 30, 1818; d. Oct. 16, 1821. 
Edwin, b. Feb. 20, 1821 ; resides in Boston. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



197 



20 



21 



3-9- 



9-22 
23 



24 



4-1 G- 



10-25 
26 
27 



1- 2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 



1-2- 

2- 9 
10 
11 
12 
13 

14 
15 
16 

1-3- 



Hngh M., b. March 27, 1824; m. Sophia C. Lawrence, dau. of 

Phinehas Lawrence; resides in Providence. 
Emelhie P., b. Oct. 5, 182G ; m. Dec. 20, 1860, William K. Fowle, 

the husband of her late sister Susan. 



Reuben Reed m. Dec. 8, 1819, Sarah Russell of Camb. She d 
Aug. 2, 1822, and he m. Feb. 26, 1824, Mary H. WiUard of Harvard. 
She d. Feb. 11, 1860, aged 69; he d. March 4, 1864, aged 71. 

Reuben, b. Feb. 5, 1821 ; d. June 22, 1822. 

Betibeii WiUard, b. Jan. 12. 1825; m. Sept. 1854, Georgiana Ferren 
ofCharlestown. They have Emmie O., h. Nov. 10, 1856; Mary 
HaUie. b. Sept. 7, 1860, d. Oct. 15, 1864; Lizzie Virginia, b, 
April 27, 1866. 

Josiah Haskell, h Feb. 12, 1827 ; m. Oct. 9, 1860, Clara Rebecca 
Gates, dau. of Howard Gates of Ashby. They have Frank Has- 
kell, b. Dec. 26. 1862 ; Alice Gates, b. Aug. 21, 1864. 



William H Harrison Reed m. Sept. 5. 1850, Mary Crowning- 
shield, dau. of A, W. Cro'-vningshield of Lex. He now resides in 
Charlestown. 

Mary Ella, b. March 9, 1852 ; d. Sept. 5, 1852. 
Julia Ella, b. June 12, 1854. 
Mary Alice, b. Nov. 30, 1855. 



There was also another family of Reeds in Woburn and Lexington, 
which had no connection with the William and Mabel race. If wc 
may believe tradition, and the statement is confirmed by many atten- 
dant circumstances, Swethern Reed came to this country from 
Ireland about 1725, and settled in Boston. After remaining there a 
few years, he removed to Woburn, and took up his abode in that 
part of the town which now constitutes Burlington. 

Swethern Reed probably m. Margery Collens, and had a num- 
ber of children, of whose birth we have very imperfect records. 

\James, b. ; m. Elizabeth Wellington of Camb. Sept. 24, 1778. 

jRobert, b. ; m. Elizabeth Hartwell of Bedford. 

Elizabeth, b. April, 1740 ; m. Nov. 30, 1763, Thomas Fox. 

Susannah, b. ; m. Jeduthan Wellington, 1775. _ 

Margery, b. ; m. Collens, and went to China. 

Nancy, b. ; m. Nov. 14, 1780, Nathaniel Trask. 

liuth, b. ; m. June 5, 1777, Matthew Farrington. 



James Reed m. Sept. 24, 1778, Elizabeth Wellington of Camb. 

John, h. Jan. 30, 1779; m. Susan Clapp. 
Elizabeth, b. Oct. 4, 1780 ; m. Jedediah Stearns. 
James, b. April 12, 1783 ; m. Susan Johnson. 

Susannah, b. Aug. 10, 1785 ; m. Rugg of Boston. 

Joseph, b. Sept. 9, 1787 ; m, first, Maria Walker, and second, Rox- 

ana Richardson. 
Luke, h. Sept. 6, 1789 ; m. Barbara Ross of Augusta, Ga. 
Artemas, b. Dec. 1, 1792; d. at the age of sixteen. 
Florinda, b. Nov. 20, 1794; m. Thomas Hersey. 



Robert Reed m. Elizabeth Hartwell of Bedford. 
Woburn. She d. May 8, 1792. 
83 



He m. as of 



198 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



3-17 

18 

20 



1- 2 



SwetJiern, b. Au,£r. 13, 1771; in. Nov. 19, 1795, Anna Wvman, 

d. Oct 28, 1834. 
Elizabeth, b. April 3. 1773. 19 Robert, h. Sept. 4, 1775. 

Sarah, h. Feb. 22, 1778. 21 Daniel, b. Dec. 11, 1781. 



lie 



Seth Reed from Charlestown came to Lexington a young man. 
He entered the army of the Revohition and served three years. 
After his return, he ni. June 26, 179G, Fanny Harrington, dan. of 
Thaddeus and Lydia (Porter) Harrington. She d. and he m. Lydia 
Harrington, sister of his first wife. After his marriage he moved to 
Westminster, Vt., where he remained about two years, when he 
returned to Lexington, where he d. Sept., 1815. 

Seth, b. April 24, 17^8 ; m. Eliza Frost of West Camb. He resides 
in Wo., and is tlie fiither of Joseph G. Reed of Lex. who m. 
June, 1851, Ann Murphy, and has Francis W., b. March 14, 1854. 

Lewis, b. ; m. Mary Flint of North Reading. 

Sylvestiis S., h. ; d. young. 

Fanny, b. ; m. Warren Emerson of Woburn. 

Lydia, b. ; m. Nathaniel Hutchinson of Woburn. 

lihoda, b. ; d. 1839, aged 30, unm. 



Situated on the borders of Lexington, in Woburn and Burlington, 
it is not at all strange that individuals and even families of the name 
of Reed, should cross the line and live for a time in Lexington, or at 
least should have their names upon our Records. I find several 
such, and shall give them as I find them, without attempting to trace 
their descent. 

Peter Reed m. Abigail, and had Abigail, b. May 23, 1727, d. 
young; Pefer, b. Feb. IG, 1729; Abigail, h. April 2, 1731 ; Alary, b. 
April 3, 1733; Sarah, b. April 2G, 173t3; Thomas, b. Nov. 3, 
1739; Rebecca, b. May 24, 1743. 

David Reed m. Lois, and had Philip, h. April 5, 1730 ; David, 
b. April 2, 1738; Lydia, b. June 28, 1740; Silas, h. Feb. 23, 1742; 
Fer.yis, b. April 11, 1745. 

Newhall Reed of Wo., m. Oct. 16, 1777, Mary Harrington of 
Lex., dau. of Henry and Sarah (Laugliton) Harrington, and had 
Joel, b. May 13, 1777; Abigail, b. July 21, 1778, and d. same day; 
Newhall, b. April 5, 1783, d. April 8, 1855, aged 73 ; Nathan, b, 
Feb. 18, 1786; Mary, b. Sept. 20, 1790, and d. young; Floriuda, 
b. Nov. 24, 1793; Abigail, h. Nov. 21, 1795. 

Whether the above named families resided in Lex. or only had 
their associations here, we are unable to say. Their names are upon 
Lexington Records. 



THE RICtlARDSON FAMILY. 

Though the Richardsons have been numerous in Woburn and sev- 
eral other towns in tlie vicinity, there has been no permanent family 
of that name in Lexington till within a comparatively recent period; 
and the head of this family descended from a Newbury emigrant. 

William Richaudsox was in Newbury early, and m. Aug. 23, 
1G54, Elizabeth Wiseman, and d. March 14, 1658. They had two 
children. Joseph, b. May, 1655, m. July, 1681, Margaret, dau. of 
Peter Godfrey and Mary Browne, who was the first white child b. in 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



199 



1- 2 



1- 2 

4 



1-5- 



5-10 
11 
12 
18 
14 
15 



Xewbury. They had eight children, Caleb, their younn;est child, 
b. June 9, 1704, m. Tryphena, dau. of Capt. Daniel and'^Elizabeth 
(Parker) Bodwell. They resided in Methuen, and had ten children. 
Samuel, the sixth child of Caleb, b. Feb. 22, 1749, m Lucy Parker 
of Westford. He was in the Pievolutionary war. He d/july 15, 
1836, aged 87; and she d. March 26, 1818, aged 64; they had eigiit 
children b. in Methuen, viz. Samuel, b. July 4, 17.S1 ; Lurn, b May 
28, 1783, d. Oct. 19, 1812; John C, b. May 4, 1785, d. Nov. 2, 
1823; Betscii P., b. INLarch 13, 1787, is still I'iving; Achm, b. July 
24, 1789, d. Nov. 7, 1819 ; Aaron P., b. July 22, 1791 ; William, b. 
April 26, 1794, d. Aug. 2, 1836 ; Mary, b. July 27, 1797. 



Aahon p. Richardsox, the third son of Samuel and Lucv, m. 
June 26, 1828, Betsey Reed, dau. of Hammon and Sarah (Chan- 
dler) Reed, b. June 15, 1799. She d. April 24, 1856, aged 57. He 
came to Lex. April, 18::0. 

Chamller R., b. April 10, 1825, m. Feb. 16, 1859, Elvira L. Rich- 
ards of Pittsfield, only child of Alfred and Harmony H. Richards, 
b. May 5, 1832. 

Sarah E., b. July 11, 1830; m. June 12, 1855, Freeborn F. Ray- 
mond. 



THE ROBBINS FAMILY. 

Nathaniel Robrixs and Mary Brazier, his wife, came to this 
country from Scotland about 1670, and settled in Cambridge, where 
he d. 1719, aged 70 years. He was married about the time of his 
embarkation, and his children were all born in this country. He had 
at least eight children. 

Rebecca, b. Jan. 6, 1671. 3 Mari/, b. Dec. 81, 1673. 

Deborah, b. June 6, 1674. 

\ Nathaniel, b. Feb. 28, 1677; m. Hannah Chandler. 

Jonathan, h. Nov. 21, 1680. He lived in what is now Brighton. 

Thomas, h. Nov. 6, 1683. When a young man, he was passing 
with a team from Boston to Cambridge, on a hot sunnner day, 
when he stopped to drink at a spring and died immediately. He 
was unmarried. 

Samuel, b. May 30, 1686. He settled in Sudbury. 

Joseph, b. Nov. 8, 1689. 



Nathaniel Robbins m. Hannah Chandler. About 1700 he 
moved to Charlestown, where he lived nearly thirty years, when he 
returned to Camb., where he d. Jan. 16, 1741, in his 64th year. 
His wife d. Sept. 15, 1738, aged 44 years. This family became 
quite distinguished in several of its branches. 

^Nathaniel, b. 1699. 

Man/, b. July 22, 1701 ; m. Joseph Russell. 

Vriiomas, b. Aug. 11, 1703; d. in Lex. June 30, 1791, aged 88. 

Hannah, b. June 30, 1705; m. Zebediah Johnson. 

Rebecca, b. 1707 ; m. Patten. 

i„ \Philemon, b. Sept. 19, 1709; grad. H. C. 1729. 

16 Deborah, b. March 24, 1712; m. .Joseph Robbms. 

17 1 Sarah, b. ; ni. Butterlield. 



200 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



6-10- 



5-12- 



12-18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 

5-15- 



Nathaniel Robbins m. and lived in Charlestown, where 

at an early age he d., leaving two young children and a widow. He 
was mowing in the field in perfect health, when he fell and expired 
immediately. 



Thomas Robbins m. Ruth Johnson, who d. June 27, 1737, in her 
35th year, and he m. Exene Jackson. He and his wife, Exene, were 
ad. to the ch. in Lex. May 9, 175-1, by a letter of dismission from 
the Second church of Camb. He came to Lex. about 1744, as his 
name appears upon the tax bill in 1745. He was a soldier in the 
French war from Lex. in 1758, and was enrolled in Capt. Parker's 
CO. in 1775. He was one of the assessors in 1746, and one of the 
selectmen in 1749. Several of his children were born before he came 
to Lex., and hence we have no full record of the family. His will, 
dated 1789, and proved 1791, mentions eldest son Thomas, Stephen, 
John, Nathaniel, and daughters Mary Mead, Susanna Wadsworth, 
Deborah Williams, Exene, Ruth, and Hannah. He d. Jan. 30, 
1791, aged 89 ; she d. Feb. 5, 1786, aged 79. The first six of the 
children were by the first wife. 

\Tliomas, b. about 1723. 
\Nathaniel, b. about 1727. 

Mary, b. about 1730 ; m. Mead. 

\Stephe7i, b. about 1733; m. Dec. 8. 1753, Sarah Wooten. 

Susanna, h. about 1735; m. Wadsworth. 

Esther, b. about 1737. 

\John, b. about 1739 ; m. Oct. 14. 1761, Sarah Prentice of W. Camb. 

Exene, b. in Lex. Sept. 13, 1749. 

Deborah, b. Nov. 9, 1750; m. Williams. 

Buth, b. Nov. 11, 1752. 
Hannah, b. Dec, 1753. 

^Philemon, b. about 1756 ; m. Sally . 

Ebenezer, b. . 



Philemon Robbins grad. H. C. 1729, entered the ministry, and 
was settled at Branford, Conn. He m. Hannah Foot. 1735. She d. 
1776, and he m. wid. Jane Mills. He d. 1781. He had three sons. 
— one d. while in college, the other two were ministers. Amnii 
Ruhamah, grad. at Yale, 1760, settled at Norfolk, Conn., 1761. Two 
of his sons were ministers. Thomas, one of them, grad. at Williams, 
1796, settled at Mattapoisett. He was distinguished as an antiquary, 
and had during his ministry collected a very extensive and valuable 
library relating to American history, general history, and theology. 
He had a large and rare collection of Bibles. He d. in 1850, aged 
79, unm. Chandler Bobbins, another son of Philemon, grad. at 
Yale, 1756, was ordained at Plymouth, Mass., 1760. He was a man 
of eminent talents, and his family was distinguished. His son 
Chandler, grad. H. C. 1782, was judge of probate at Hallowell, Me. ; 
Samuel P., grad. H. C. 1798, was minister at Marietta, Ohio ; Peter 
G., was a physician at Roxbury, Mass. Chandler had sons Chandler, 
who was a physician in Boston, and William, a lawyer at Fayetteville, 
N. C, both graduates of Bowdoin College. Peter G. had sons 
Chandler, who grad. H. C. 1829, ordained at the Old North Church 
in Boston, 1833 ; and Samuel D., grad. Harv. Theolog. School, 1833, 
settled in Lynn, afterwards at Framingham, and now at Wayland. 

The Robbinses mentioned above have been highly distinguished, 
and have received the first honors from our colleges. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



201 



12-18- 



12-19- 



TiiOMAS RoBBiNS was taxed in Lex. and filled important offices, 
but we find no record of wife or children ; he may have remained 
single. He was selectman in 1772, '71, '78. He d. Dec. 2, 1804, 
aged 82. 

jSTathaniel Robbins grad. H. C. 1747. He studied theology, 
settled at Milton, where he m. a Hutchinson, and d. 1795. One of 
his sons, Edward Hutchinson, b. Feb. 19, 1758, grad. H. C. 1775. 
He entered the legal profession, was chosen to represent the town in 
the Legislature. In 1793 was chosen speaker, an office which he 
held nine years; in 1812 was elected lieut. -governor ; in 1814 was 
appointed judge of probate of Norfolk county. He d. Dec. 29, 1829. 



12-21- 



21-31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
37 

12-24- 



24-38 
40 
42 

12-29- 

29-44 
4t3 

21-33- 



Stepiien Robbins m. Dec. 8, 1753, Sarah Wooten, dau. of Capt. 
Wooten. She d. Dec. 16, 1791. 



John, b. 



went to Pennsylvania. 



Sarah, bap. March 14, 1756 ; m. Charles Cutter of West Carab. 
\Stephcn, bap. Feb. 5, 1758; m. Abigail Winship. 
Philemon, bap. Nov. 11, 1759; d. May 30, 1829. 
Lucy, bap. Dec. 27, 1761 ; d. unni. 

Nathan, h. ; m. a Prentice, resided in West Cambridge. 

Deborah, bap. June .30, 1765 ; m. Blodgett. 



John Robbins m. Oct. 14, 1761, Sarah Prentice of West Camb. 
He was of Capt. Parker's co. in 1775. 



Sarah, b. March 2, 1762. 
John, b. Oct. 16, 1769. 
Ruth, b. July 9, 1774. 



39 Elizabeth, b. May 26, 1765. 
41 Anna, b. March *27, 1772. 
43 Hannah, b. March 14, 1778. 



33-47 

.48 
49 

50 
51 
62 
53 

33-50- 



Philemon Robbins m. Sally . 

SaUy, b. Nov. 3, 1781. 45 Philemon, b. Dec. 9, 1783. 
Joshua, b. May 25, 1785 ; d. Aug. 13, 1817^ 



Stephen Robbins m. Abigail Winship. He d. Oct. 12, 1847, 
ao-ed 89; she d. March 31, 1850, aged 90. He was a fur dresser, 
and introduced that business into the East Village, which contributed 
greatly to the growth and prosperity of the place. He, and his son 
Eli after him, prosecuted that branch of industry, employing at tunes 
from eighty to one hundred hands. This of course would require 
dwellings, and many houses were erected in consequence of this busi- 
ness. Similar enterprise would be productive of benefit to the town 
in any section thereof at the present day. 

Stephen, b. May 26, 1780 ; m. June 5, 1811, Mary Harrington. He 

d. in Boston, Aug. 25, 1846. 
Samuel, b. Sept. 7, 1781. He went to Windsor, \ t. where he m. 
Nahbij, b. July 24, 1783 ; m. June 16, 1809, James H. Langdon of 

Vermont. ^„ ^x i o- i 
\Sli, b. Nov. 12, 1786 ; m. July 31, 1809, Hannah Simonds. 
Martin, b. July 6, 1788 ; d. young. _ 
Lot, b. March 28, 1790 ; is living, unmarried. 
Caira, b. April 2, 1794. 



Eli Robbins ra. July 31, 1809, Hannah Simonds, dau of Joshua 
and Martia (Bowers) Simonds. He d. Sept. 27, 1856, aged /O; 



20-2 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



she d. Dec. 13, 1864, aj^ecl 78. He was a man of great activity and 
enterprise, and did much to build up the village in the east ])art of 
tiie town. He caused a tower to be erected on the high land in the 
rear of the settlement, which, together with his residence, will be 
seen in the following engraving. 




50-51 

Oi) 



o6 



57 
58 
59 

60 



Hannah M., b. Aug. 12, 1812. 

Abigail, b. Dec. 3, 1814; m. Dec. 23, 1839, Stillman L. Lothrop of 
Boston. He d. in the West Indies, Nov. 22, 1859, aged 49 ; 
he had two sons, — Stillman Follen, b. May 1, 1841 ; m. Nov. 
18, 1867, Sarah Jane Holbrook of Winchester; George Langdon, 
b. Jan. 27, 1846. Mr. Lothrop, the father, is a descendant in a 
direct line from Mark Lothrop of Duxbury, b. 1G56. 

Ellen A., b. May 21, 1817 ; m. Dec. 8, 1853, Abner Stone, b in Lex, 
1812. They were m. at Hartford, Conn., by Rev. Thomas Rob- 
bins. They have two children, Ellen A., b. Oct. 7, 1854, and 
Mary R., b. July 17, 1860. 

Julia Ann, h. May'6, 1819 ; m. 1860, John Barrett of Concord. 

Mary L., b. March 23, 1824; d. 1832. 

Eli M., b. April 4, 1826 ; r. in New York, where he has a wife and 
one child, b. 1859. 

Martha, b. Jan. 21, 1829 ; d. same month. 



THE ROBINSON FAMILY. 

This family has never been very numerous in Lexington, nor were 
they among the earliest settlers. The first of the name which 
appears on our Records was 



GENEALOGICAI- REGISTER. 



203 



1-2- 



JoxATHAN Robinson, son of William, b. in Cambridge, April 
20, 1G82. I find on a cop.y of the Will of Richard Cutler of Cam- 
bridge, made a short time before his death in 1693, this endorsement : 
" For the two Robinsons, grandsons to the deceased." This paper 
being found among the papers left by Jonathan Robinson, and 
Richard Cutler having several dau., one of them may have m. a 
Robinson, the father of Jonathan. It appears by a deed in posses- 
sion_ of the family, that Isaac Powers of Camb.', sold to Jonathan 
Robinson of Camb., weaver, in 1706, a lot of land at Camb. Farms, 
bounded northerly by Concord road, easterly by land of Joanna 
^Vinship, south(!rIy by land of John Dickson, and westerly by land 
of the heirs of Samuel Winship. This and other deeds of land to 
Jonathan Robinson, bounded by the Winships, Whitmores, and 
Bowmans, leaves no doubt but that he resided on or near the place 
now occupied by Mr. Jonas Gammell, at the termination of Oak 

street. Jonathan Robinson m. Ruth , and probably came to 

the Farms about 1706. He d. 1753, and she d. April 25, 175'J. He 
filled the honorable office of tythingman in 1735, and in 1711: was on 
a committee to " dignify and seat the meeting house." 

\JonatJian, b. July 25, 1707. 

liuth, h. June 29, 1709; d. Oct. 23, 1722. 

Abigail, b. Feb. 4, 1711; m. Nathaniel Bacon of Lexington. 

\James, b. Aug. 30, 1715; m. 1751, Anna Trask. 

Li/dia, b. Aug. 29, 1718; m. Caleb Simonds. 

IJannah, b. Jan. 8, 1721 ; d. Oct. 24, 1721. 



Jonathan Robinson m. Elizabeth 
the ch. July 18, 1742. He d. 1748. 



They were ad. to 



2- 8 Elizabeth, b. June 20, 1732. 
10 Wiiooh, b. Feb. 3, 1739. 



9 Jonailian, b. Sept. 29, 1733. 
11 Sithmit, bap. July 17, 1743. 



1-5- 



Jamks RoiUNSON m. May 23, 1751, Anna Trask. She d. and he 

m. second, Margaret , by whom he had eight children. He 

was ad. to the ch. March 10, 1765. She d. Nov. 5, 1767, and he m. 

third, Elizabeth , by whom he had three children. He d. 

Aug. 12, 1774. 

Rvth, b. Jan. 28, 1753. 

]Jo.ieph, b. March 18, 1755; m. Mrs. Betty Hadley. 

Sikiii, h. Feb. 20, 1757; m. and had a child which d. Dec. 17, 1777. 

Asa, b. Jan. 19, 1759 ; was in the campaign to N. Y., 1(76. 

James, b. Nov. 26, 1760; m. May 25, 1787, JudithReed of Woburn. 

He was a soldier in the Continental army. 
Rhoda, b. J\lav 10, 1763 ; d. young. 
^Ebenezer, h. Feb. 14, 1765; d. in Vt., 1857, aged 92. 
Per-b-is, bap. Feb. 1, 1767. 

Bhoda, bap. Oct. 20, 1771; m. May 24, 1781, Simeon Snow. 
Lydia, bap. Jan. 5, 1772. 22 James, bap. Dec. 1, 1773. 



5-12 
13 
14 
15 
16 

17 

18 
19 
20 
21 

o_io- Jacob Robinson m. Elizabeth Draper. They were ad. to the 

ch. March 21, 1775. 

10-23 \Jacoh, b. Oct. 28, 1762; m. Hannah Simonds. 

24 Elizabeth, b. March 6, 1765; d. Dec. 29, 1767. 

25 \Jesse, b. July 14, 1767; m. Rebecca Tidd. 

26 \Jonathan, b. June 20, 1769 ; was twice married. 

27 1 Betty, b. Feb. 26, 1772 ; m. White of Watertown. 



204 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



5-13- 



13-30 

31 
32 

33 



5-18- 



10-23- 



23-34 
35 



An7ia, h. June 28, 1774; m. 



Gardner of Cambridge. 



Nathan, b. Dec. 1, 1775; d. Sept. 22, 1776. 



Joseph Robinson m. Mrs. Betty Hadley, wid. of Samuel Had- 
ley, who was killed April 19, 1775. lie was a member of Capt. 
Parker's company, and joined in the first act of the Revolutionary 
drama. Nor did his zeal in the cause of liberty cease witfe the 
opening scene. He enlisted with the eight months' men in 1775, 
and served with the twelve months' men the year following, and sub- 
sequently entered the continental line. He lived to enjoy the 
bounty of his country, and to see her prosperous and happy, and d. 
April 14, 1830, aged 75. She d. Feb. 9, 1831. 

Ehoda. b. May 17, 1781 ; m. May 17, 1810, John Gammell of Charles- 
town, and d. Sept. 11, 1861. 

Margaret, b. Feb. 20, 1783. 

Nancy, b. Jan. 30, 1785 ; m. July 20, 1809, Thomas Cutler of West 
Cambridge. 

Joseph, h. July 14, 1787; m. Lydia Gair of Boston. He d. May 
18, 1822. 



Ebenezer Robinson d. in South Reading, Vt., Oct. 31, 1857, in 
his 92d year. He was too young to take part in the opening scene 
of the Revolution ; but before he was sixteen he enlisted with others 
in a privateer. While on this voyage, having made two prizes, and 
sent them into Boston, they fell in with several armed ships, and 
after a desperate struggle in which he was slightly wountlud, they 
were made prisoners. He was taken to New York, and confined in 
an old prison ship, where from the packed state of the ship, scanty 
supply of provision, and other inhuman treatment, he suffered evi-ry 
thing but death. After about six months' confinement in this loath- 
some prison, he was exchanged; and in a weak, ragged, and penni- 
less condition, was obliged to beg his way home to Lexington, 
suffering at one time the cold repulses and scoffings of the Tories, 
and cheered and encouraged at others, by the generosity of the 
Patriots. Having reached home, and recovered from his imprison- 
ment and suffering, young Robinson enlisted into the Continental 
army for three years — being then seventeen years of age. For a 
few months he was stationed at AVest Point, and was then ordered to 
New York, where he was connected with the body guard of Wash- 
ington. On the return of peace, having served about two years, he 
returned to Lexington, where he remained till 1788, when he in 
company with an older brother moved to South Reading, Vt., then 
an almost unbroken wilderness. In 1792, he erected a frame house, 
and m. Hannah Ackley, who had recently immigrated to that place 
from Connecticut. He was highly esteemed as a man and a citizen, 
and filled with honor several military and civil offices. He was 
always devoted to the cause of liberty, and died respected by his 
fellow-citizens. 



Jacob Robinson m. Aug. 26, 1790, Hannah Simonds, dau. of 
John and Mary (Tufts) Simonds. Thev were ad. to the ch. April 
4, 1791. He d. Sept. 12, 1848, aged 84. She d. Oct. 18, 1853, 
aged 80. He was selectman in 1805 and 1806, and an assessor 
several years. 

^ Jacob, b. April 24, 1791 ; m. Ann Hall, 
Charles, b. May 5, 1793 ; d. Sept. 24, 1801. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



205 



36 

37 

38 
39 
40 

41 

42 



19-25- 



43 

10-26- 

23-34- 
23-39- 

89-45 
46 



Hannah, b. April 25, 1795; in. April 8, 1821, Charles Tufts of 

Cliarlestown, founder of Tiifts Colloije. 
John, b. April 30, 1797; d. Sept. 26, isOl. 
George, b. Dec. 2, 1799; d. Sept. 22, 1801. 
\Charles, b. May 5, 1.S02; m. Oct. 16, 1827, Mary Davis. 
John,_ b. Au-r. 19, 1804. He has for many years labored under a 

quiet kind of insanity. 
Harriet, b. Nov. 6, 1806; m. Thomas C. Gilmor. 
Mary Ann, b. Feb. 2, 1812; m. May, 1841, Sylvester Harrington. 



Jesse Roiuxsox m. Nov. 24, 1793, Rebecca Tidd of Acton. 
They moved to Bedford, where they had several other children than 
the two mentioned below. 



Rebecca, h. Feb. 14, 1795. 



44 Jesse, b. June 4, 1797. 



Jonathan Robinson m. Joanna Jennings. She d. and he m. 
May 1, 1831, Mary Jennings. He had no children. 



Jacob Robinson m. Jan. 9, 1818, Ann Hall of Cambridge. She 
d. April 19, 1850, aged 57, and he m. Oct. 13, 1850, Luciiida Davis 
of Medford. He had no chihlren by either wife. He was an asses- 
sor three years. He was also a of justice of the peace. 



Charles Robinson m. Oct. 16, 1827, Mary Davis of Con., dau. 
of Abel and Lavinia (Hosmer) Davis. Lavinia Hosmer was a dau. 
of Joseph, who acted as adjutant at Concord, April 19, 1775. He 
has served as selectman several years. 

Charles, b. Nov. 6, 1829; m. July 4, 1858, Rebecca T.Ames of 
Cliarlestown, where he resides and does business as a lawyer. He 
has also been a trial justice, and mayor of the city. 

George D., b. Jan. 20, 1834. He grad. H. C. 1856, and was en- 
gaged some eight or ten years as a teacher of the High School at 
Chicopee. He m. ^vov. 24, 1859, Hannah p]. Stevens, dau. of 
William and Nan<'y Stevens. She d. Sept. 5, 1864, aged 31 years. 
He read law with his brother, and is now in practice in Chicopee. 
He m. second, July 11, 1867, Susan E. Simonds of Lex., dau. of 
J. F. Simonds. He has Walter S., b. March 22, 1861. 



There are other Robinsons in town not connected with the preced- 
ing family, whose descent as far as ascertained is as follows : 

Jonathan Robinson of New Market, N. H., m. Mary Chase of 
Exeter, by whom lie had ten children. Noah, their seventh son b. 
in Stratham, May 7, 1757, m. for his first Avife, Nancy Wiggin of 
Stratham. In 1790, after serving his country tlirough the whole 
period of the Revolution, he moved to New Hampton in that State, 
which was then a howling wilderness. His wife dying, he ni. June 
26, 1805, Mrs. Elizabeth Brown of Portsmouth, N. H. He d. Feb. 
10, 1827. He had by his two wives seven sons and two daughters. 

Simon W. Robinson, the fourth son of Capt. Noah, b. Feb. 19, 
1792, m. Hannah T. Danforth of Billerica, by whom he had four 
children— two sons and two daughters, viz. Sarah, b. Aug. 6, 1817; 
John B., b. May 30, 1819 ; Henrij B., b. Oct. 3, 1821, and d. March 
25, 1826; Hannah A., b. Dec. 22, 1823, d. Feb. 7, 1856. He came 
to Boston in 1813 and went into business, where he remained thirty- 
four years, when he came to Lex. in 1847. His wife d. Oct., 1843, 
84 



206 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 
3 

4 
6 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 

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12 
13 
14 
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17 
18 
19 

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and he m. 1847, Mrs. Elizabeth G. Little of Bucksport, Me. Mr. 
Robinson, when in Boston was elected to the Legislature, and has 
also represented the town of Lexinjjton in that body. He has for 
many years held a commission of justice of the peace. 



Gkohge W. Robinson, a son of Capt. Noah by his second wife, 
was b. Feb. 23, 1808, and ni. Dec. 5, 1830, Maria Jewett, dau. of 
Nathaniel Jewett of Charlestown. He came to Lex. 1848, where 
the last three of his children were born. He is enjijaged in mercan- 
tile business in Boston. The following are his children. George 
Henry, b. Sept. 26, 1833, d. at sea on his passage home from the 
East Indies, Feb. 24, 1858; Frances Maria, b. Feb. 26, 1836; 
Emily HamUet, b. March 1, 1840, d. Oct. 30, 1841; Frederick 
Osborn, b. May 11, 1842; he has spent several years in mercantile 
pursuits at the Mauritius ; Theodore Parker, b. July 29#1845 ; Wil- 
liam Howard, b. June 13, 1848 ; Sarah Elizabeth, b. Nov. 24, 1852 ; 
Edith Jewett, b. Mav 28, 1858. 



THE RUSSELL FAMILY. 

William Russell and his wife Martha, the ancestors of the Lex- 
ington Russells came over from England early, and like many of the 
early emigrants, did not at once fix upon their location. They were 
in Camb. 1645, and were members of the church there. He d. Feb. 
14, 1662. She m. March 24, 1665, Humphrey Bradshaw, and in 
1683, Thomas Hall, and d. 1694. Several of their children were b. 
in England. 

j Joseph, b. 1636 ; m. June 23, 1662, Mary Belcher ; d. June 26, 1691. 

]Berijamin, probably b. in England; m. Rebecca . 

Phebe, probably b. in England ; d. July 8, 1642. 

\John, b. Sept. 11, 1645; m. Elizabeth . 

Martha, b. . 

\I'hilip, b. 1650; m. April 19, 1680, Joanna Cutler. 

\William, b. April 28, 1655; m. Abigail Winship, 

\Jason, b. Nov. 14, 1658 ; ra. June 27, 1684, Mary Hubbard. 

Joyce, b. March 31, 1660; m. Oct. 13, 1680, Edmund Rice of Sud. 



Joseph Russell m. June 23, 1662, Mary Belcher, 
in Camb. She d. June 23, 1691. 



They resided 



Mary, b. Jan. 8, 1665. 

Martha, b. June 27, 1666; d. May 26, 1691. 
Abigail, b. May 12, 1668 ; m. Matthew Bridge. 
Prudence, b. May 30, 1670. 
Joseph, b. July 15, 1673 ; d. young. 

Walter, b. May 30, 1676 ; m. Elizabeth Winship, dau. of Edward 
Winship, 2d. They resided at W. Camb. and had a large family. 

\ Joseph, ? ^„.:„„ ,, ^ oi -./jqa . S resided in Lexington. 

Jeremit 



'^S i twins, b. June 21, 1680 ; 
lah, ^ ' ' 



John, b. May 5, 1683. 



21 Samuel, b. Sept. 9, 1685. 



Benjamix Russell m. Rebecca . They resided in Camb. 

and had Rebecca, d. 1673 ; Jason, Benjamin, William, Joyce, and 
Surah. 



John Russeli, ni. Elizabeth . He was at Camb. Farms at 

the organization of the parish in 1693, and was the largest subscriber 
for the meeting house. He was one of the original members of the 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



207 



5-22 
24 
25 
27 



1-7- 



7-28 

29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
3o 
36 

1-8- 



1-D- 



2-18- 



ch. m 1696. and his wife removed her relation from the oh. in Camb. 
to that of Lex. soon after. Ho was not onlv a man of weaUh, but 
was an active and valuable citizen, and lilK-d various olTices under 
the parish and town organization. The record of his family is (luite 
defective. Probably d. March G, 1733. 

jJohn, b. Nov. 9, 1671. 23 Thomas, b. Sept. 13, 1C73. 

Maltha, b. Sept. 1, 1675; d. Dec. 7, 1675. 
Benjamin, b. April 2, 1677. 26 Abie/ail, b. April 18, 1686. 

Patience, b. May 27, 1688. 27^ Esther, b. Dec. 19, 1700. 

They probably had children between 1676 and 1686. 

Philip Russell m. April 19, 1680, Joanna Cutler, dau. of James 
Cutler, b. 1660, and d. Mov. 26, 17i»3, aged 43; and he m. second, 
Oct. 18, 1705, Sarah Brooks of Med. The name of Philip Russell id 
borne upon our earliest parish and town records ; and he appears to 
have enjoyed the confidence of the people, not only in the new settle- 
ment but in the old town. Though residing in the precinct, he was 
one of the selectmen of Old Camb. in I7t0 and 1701. lie was a sub- 
scriber for the meeting house at the Farms in 1692, and on the com- 
mittee to "seat the meeting house," when it was ready for occupa- 
tion. He d. Feb. 7, 1730, aged 80 years. The record of his fauiily 
is iuipcrfect, but from the probate files we have been enabled to pre- 
sent the following. 

Joanna, b. Dec. 30, 1684; m. about 1716, William Munroe as his 

second wife. She was ad. to the ch. Dec. 24, 1727. 
\Philip, b. Sept. 18, 1688; d. March 3, 1773, aged 85. 
Samuel, b. Jan. 12, 1691. 
Jemima, h. 1692 ; m. William Locke. 

\Jamex, b. ; m. Mary . 

^William, b. ; ni. Elizabeth . 

Sarah, b. ; m. April 2^, 1739, Joseph Russell. 

Ahiqail, b. Oct. 27, 1700 ; m. Sprague. 

Susanna, b. Oct. 27, 1706. 



William Russell m. March 18, 1683, Abigail Winship, dau. of 
Lieut. Edward Winship of Camb. We have little knowledsje of the 
family, as they probably never came to Lex. They had William, b. 
1687, who m. Mary, and d. in Lex. Nov. 25, 1731 ; Abigail, b. Dec. 
31, 1688. d. unm. June 20, 1710; Edward, b. 1694, d. June 21, 
1695. They probably had other children. 



Jason Russell m. May 27, 1684, Mary Hubbard of Camb.. where 
they resided. They had Jason, b. 1687, John, Martha, Hubbard, 
Thomas Elizabeth, and Noah. The late Col. Thomas Russell of W. 
Camb. was a descendant of this family, being a son of Thomas, son of 
Jason, son of Hubbard. ^ 

Joseph Russell m. Jane . He was in the French war. 

lied Dec 20 1763. The want of records leaves us almost without 
knowied-e" of 'this family. The probate files furnish a few facts. 
Thev bad at least Jabez, Ephraim, and Joseph. Joseph m. Aprd 2b, 
1739 Sarah Russell, dau. of Philip Russell. They were cousms. 
They haStwo children, one b. Jan. 11, d. Jan. 13. 174(.; Sarah h 
Feb -^8, 1740, and d. June 10, 1741. Sarah, t'e mothered. May 
29 1742, and Joseph, the husband, d March 23. 1/43.. Thus Ins 
fami V became extinct. Joseph, the husband of Jane, m h.s Will, 



208 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



18-37 
5-22- 



22-38 
40 
42 

7-29- 



29-44 
45 
46 
47 
48 
49 
50 

7-32- 



32-51 
53 
54 
6G 
68 

7-33- 



33-59 
CO 
62 

18-37- 



37-G3 
65 
67 

29-48- 



proved 1763, speaks of wife Jane, clau. Abigail Bowman, and sons 
Thomas, Jabez, and Ephraim. Of the latter alone have we any 
full record. 

] Ephraim, b. 1730; m. Miriam Wheeler of Bedford. 



48-68 



John Russell m. Rebecca . They were ad. to the ch. in 

Lex. April 10, 1715. He d. June 14, 1746. 



Rebecca, b. June 24, 1711. 
Abigail, b. Feb. 15, 1716. 
Solomon, b. Aug. 5, 1723. 



39 Adonijali, b. Feb. 25, 1713. 
41 John, b. April 26, 1719. 
43 Joseph, b. Aug. 13, 1729. 



PniLiP Russell m. Sarah . They were ad. to the ch. Oct. 

5, 1718. She d. Dec. 17, 1767 ; he d. March 3, 1773. He was con- 
stable in 1733, and subsequently he served on the school committee. 

Sarah, b. May 22, 1718. 

Millicent, b. Dec. 29, 1720; m. Joshua Bond. 

Mary, b. May 13, 1722; d. Aug. 12, 1736. 

Phebe, b. April 14, 1725; d. July 29, 1736. 

'[Philip, b. A])ril 5, 1727; m. April 24, 1750, Lydia Eaton of Read. 

\Joseph, b. June 19, 1729 ; m. Hannah . 

Joanna, b. Nov. 21, 1731. 



James Russell m. about 1706, Mary . They wer^ ad. to the 

ch. in Lex. May 24, 1719. He was one of the subscribers for the 
purchase of the Common, 1711. He d. April 1, 1748. 

Mary, bap. Aug. 3, 1707. 52 James, bap. Aug. 21, 1709. 

Josiah, bap. April 1, 1711 ; moved to Plainfield, Conn. 
Samuel, bap. Nov. 9, 1712. 55 Joanna, b. April 8, 1714. 

Sarah, b. Jan. 8, 1716. 57 Abigail, b. April 29, 1718. 

Lucy, b. April 15, 1720; m. Nov. 23, 1738, Moses Goodnow, Sud. 



William Russell m. Elizabeth . He was constable in 1722, 

and 1723. He d. Nov. 25, 1731. He held a commission of captain. 

Nathaniel, bap. Feb. 23, 1707 ; m. and had Abigail, b. Mar. 10, 1728. 



Lydia, bap. June 3. 1711. 
Joel, b. Aug. 2, 1716. 



61 Submit, bap. Dec. 28, 1712. 



Ephuaim Russell ra. Jan. 9, 1755, Miriam Wheeler of Bed. 
They were ad. to the ch. in Lex. Dec. 5, 1756. 



Ephraim, b. Nov. 1, 1755. 
Nathan, bap. Dec. 9, 1759. 
Joseph, bap. Dec. 11, 1764. 



64 Solomon, b. Jan. 29, 1758. 
66 Calvin, bap. Jan. 17, 1762. 
G7h Dorcas, bap. March 30, 1766. 



Philip Russell m. April 24, 1750, Lydia Eaton of Reading, by 
whom he had one son, Amos. She d. Oct. 5, 1751, and he m. sec- 
ond, June 22, 1758, Lydia Dodge, by whom he had nine children. 
He d. Jan. 19, 1816, agtd 89; she d. Feb. 28, 1772. In his Will, 
dated 1796, he mentions sons Amos, Nathan, and Jonas, and dau. 
Phebe Merriam and Lucy Harrington. 

Amos, b. Dec. 5, 1750 ; m. Feb. 23, 1773, Betty Munroe and moved 



to Gardner, where they had Samuel and Sarah. 
June 2i), 1801. 



He d. in Lux. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



209 



69 
70 
71 

72 

73 

74 
75 
76 

77 



29-49- 



Lydia, b. Nor. 9, 1758 ; d. Mav 25, 1777, aged 19. 
\Nathan, b. March 1, 1760; m.'june 18, 1795, Sybil Blood. 
Sarah, b. March 24, 1761; m. Dec. 21, 1780, Jonas Locke, and d. 

1799. 
Thomas, h. April 10, 1762 ; d. Nov. 15, 1763. 
Phebe, h. May 24, 1764 ; m. 1783, Joseph Merriam of Bed. She d. 

May 29, 1845. 
nomas, b. Feb. 18, 1766; d. May 14, 1766. 
Jonas, b. April 29. 1767 ; d. Nov. 21, 1847, aged 81. 
Luc;/, b. Nov. 7, 1768 ; m. 1792, Joseph Harrington. 
A child, b. March 16, 1771 ; d. May 27, 1771. 



Joseph Russell m. Hannah . She d. Sept. 15, 1808, aged 

83. He d. Oct. 17, 1802, aged 73. They had Hannaii. b. Aug. 12, 
1764. Her mother, her last-surviving parent, dying 1808, Hannah 
was left alone, and she lived about thirty years the sole occupant of 
the house, and d. 1838, unm., aged 74 years. Her house was near 
the present residence of Col. Philip Russell. 



48-70- 



70-78 
79 



82 
83 
84 



80 



Nathan Russell m. June 18, 1795, Sybil Blood of Carlisle, who 
was b. June 25, 1765. She d. Jan. 28, 1853, aged 88, and he d. 
Jan. 9, 1848, aged 88. 

^Philip, h. Aug. 6, 1796; m. March 16, 1837, Sabra Wood of Bar. 
Nathan, h. July 4, 1798 ; m. Mary A. Thayer of West Canib. She 

d. Feb. 12, 1830, and he m. second, Nov. 14, 183U, Elizabeth 

Farwell of Cainb. She d. July 3, 1852, and he m. third, 1854, 

Abigail Whitney. His wives were all of Camb. where he resided, 

and died. 
Thomas, b. Feb. 2, 1800 ; m. July 24, 1828, Cynthia Jones. They 

resided in Cambridge. 
Bowen, b. March 24, 1802; m. first. May 12, 1825, Susan K. Locke. 

She d. Dec. 19, 1826, and he ni. second, June 6, 1833, Mehitabel 

Locke. They resided at West Cambridge. 
Mary, b. Feb. 22, 1804; ? m. Nov. 24, 1829, Isaac B. Smith. 
Stepheii, b. Feb. 22, 1804. S 

Lydia, h. Sept. 30, 1806 ; ) d. Nov. 26, 1844, unm. 
Sally, b. Sept. 30, 1806 ; \ m. Oct. 16, 1834, Thomas Joyce, whose 

na.ne was afterwards changed to Thomas J. NVhite. He resided 

in Cambridge. 
Betsey, b. May 2, 1808. 

It is worthy of remark that in the above family there were nine 
children born in less than twelve years. This is ^xp a.ned by the 
remarkable fact that there were two pairs of twins in the lamily. 



70-78- 



78-87 



89 
90 



I'HiLiP Russell m. March 16, 1837, Sabra ^yood of Burlington. 
She 1 Oct 10 1862. The confidence reposed in him by his iel low 
fizensi manifest from the various offices he has been caled to hU. 
He w": ^;:.ctman thirteen years, assessor ^ve jears and^represe - 
MfivP nine vears. He was also actively engagedin the m i ui > . 
ani passed Sough the various grades till he enjoyed the title of 
colonel. 



Sabra Aim, b. Feb. 3. 1838; d. May 15, 1862. 
pTZ Marshall, b. June 9, 1839; m. Rebecca — 
one child, Sabra. b. Oct. l"^- l^*'"^- , , ., ,... 
Herm, A»slin, b. Nov. 16, 1841 ; d. March lo. 180b. 
Martha Ella, b. Nov. 18, 18-^0. 



They have 



210 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 



1- 2 
4 
6 



We have found more than ordinary difficulty in tracinjr the Russell 
family. There were lliissells in town who probably did not descend 
Irom William and Martha. There were Russells in Charlestown and 
in Woburn, and probably some of the name came into Lexington. 
Early upon our records we find the name of Jonathan Russell, who 
appeared to have been a man of some note, as he filled the office of 
constable in 1717, and subsequently was otherwise noticed. He was 
ad. to the ch. Dec. 19, 1708. He may have come to Lex. from Wo. 

Jonathan Russell m. Elizabeth . 

Elizabeth, b. July 15, 1702. 3 Mary, b. Jan. 1, 1705. 

Jfmathan, b. April 5, 1707; dismissed to Acton, April, 1742. 
Jane, b, April 19, 1711; m. Feb. 11, 1735, Benjamin Lawrence. 
Ruth, b. May 24, 1714. 7 Ebenezer, b. May 1. 1717. 

Samuel, b. Feb. 3, 1723. 9 Hester, b. April 4, 1725. 



Eleazer Russell m. Nov. 23, 1738, Tabitha Prentice. They 
were ad. to the ch. of Lex. Aug. 19, 1739. 



Martha, b. Feb. 1739. 



3 Thaddeus, b. Jan. 27, 1742. 



David Russell m. Abigail . They were ad. to the ch. Dec. 

19, 1708. He was an assessor, 1710. He may have come from 
Charlestown or Woburn. 



David, bap. Oct. 29, 1699. 
Abigail, bap. Sept. 9, 1705. 
Jason, bap. July 23, 1710. 



3 John, bap. Dec. 6, 1702. 
5 Hannah, bap. June 6, 1708. 
7 Elizabeth, b. July 1, 1716. 



The following baptisms we are unable to classify. 



William Russell, bap. Feb. 12, 1716. 
Martha, 



Mary, 



twins, bap. Feb. 17, 1716. 



Eleazer, bap. May 12, 1717. 
Isaac, bap. Sept. 1, 1729. 
Jonathan, bap. May 11, 1735. 
Azubah, bap. May 22, 1741. 
Mary, bap. April 3, 1748. 



5 Esther, bap. May 23, 1725. 

7 Keziah, bap. Nov. 22, 1730. 

9 James, bap. April 22, 1739. 

11 Ebenezer, bap. Aug. 9, 1741. 



The following transient baptisms of the Russells do not fall in 
with any consecutive record. 

Mary, of James Russell, jr., bap. Aug. 25, 1734 ; probably d. young. 
Mary, of James, jr., b. April, 1736. 

Thomas Russell, of Josiah, bap. May 25, 1739. 
Hannah Russell, of Josiah, bap. July 28, 1745. 

May have been the children of Josiah Russell, the son of James, 
(No. 35). Josiah (No. 63) was at one time in Connecticut. He 
might have returned. 



Col. Joshua Russell from Wo. resided for a time in Lex., but 
has no descendants in town at the present day. 



John A. Russell, son of Jeremiah Russell of West Camb., b. 
Jan. 17, 1813; m. Oct. 11, 1840, Lydia M. Locke, dau. of Jonas 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



211 



and Abigail (White) Locke, b. May 3, 1816. He came to Lex. 
1833. They have Leonora, b. Aug. 3, 1843 ; John Adams, h May 
5, 184G ; Amy M., b. June 3, 1819, d. Sept. 10, 1803 ; Cella, b. July 
■4, 1851. 



1- 2 
4 

6 

7 

1-6- 



THE SAVILLE FAMILY. 

Edward Saville of Weymouth, and William Savili.e of Brain- 
tree, were both in the country as early as 1G40. But it is not known 
from which, if from either, the family we design to trace descended. 

TnoMAS Saville, said to have come from Maiden, settled in 
Gloucester, in a part of the town called Squam, where he d. at the 
age of 84. He m. 1722, Mary Haraden. They had several children, 
among whom was Jesse, who was one of his majesty's custom house 
officers in 1770. The opposition to British taxation rendered every 
officer of the crown unpopular. Saville shared the fate of all such 
officers. His house was assailed, and he was treated with violence. 
It does not appear, however, that he espoused the cause of Great 
Britain. Babson in his History of Gloucester, says of him, "lie 
lived a useful and retired life, and d. March 11, 1823, at an advanced 
age." He had several sons ; John went to sea and was taken prisoner 
and cari'ied to England, and never returned ; Oliver, d. on a voyage 
to India ; David, was lost at sea. Besides these, he had Thomas, 
James, and William. 

Thomas Saville b. Aug. 18, 17G4; m. ]\Iay 10, 1787, Betsey 
Haraden, b. June 15, 1764. He d. May 7, 1845; she d. Sept. 23, 
1836. They had several children who d. in infancy. Besides they 
had the following. 

Betsey, b. 1788; d. 1816. 3 Thomas, b. 1791; d. 1809. 

John, b. 1793; d. 1833. 5 Martha B., b. April 22, 1802. 

\David, b. June 2, 1804 : m. Sept. 12, 1830, Ann W. Leonard. 
James, b. Jan. 29, 1808. 8 Laura, b. April 5, 1810. 



David Saville m. Sept. 12, 1830, Ann W. Leonard, dan. of 
Rev. Ezra and Nancy (Woodbury) Leonard, b. July 19, 1808. 
Mr. Leonard, the iatlier-in-law of Mr. Saville, was a Congregation- 
alist clergyman in Gloucester. In the course of his numstry he 
embraced^the doctrine of universal salvation, and such was his influ- 
ence in his parish, and such his hold upon their esteem and affections, 
that his whole congregation either adopted his views, or quietly 
tolerated them, so that no rupture occurred in the society, and he 
continued to be their pastor. Mr. Saville resided in (iloucester till 
1845 when he moved to Charlestown, and in 1849 he removed to 
Lexiii^-ton. His father being a seafaring man, he accompanied him 
on'vova-es at an early age, and continued in the calling of a mariner 
till he became master of a vessel. He was taken prisoner on the 
coast of Chili by a privateer and set on shore, where he was f^^.rced 
into the armv, from which he escaped and shipped on board a whaler. 
In his vovages he visited dillerent parts of both continents, lie was 
i„ the W'est India and South American trade; ma.ie voyages to the 
Ba k. and the Mediterranean, and left the sea about 83.. In 18o(> 
fnd 1838 he represented his native town in the Legislature, and n as 
?or some years an inspector in the Boston Custom House. Since 
1849 he his spent most of his time in California, keeping up his 
residence in Lexington, where his family reside. 



212 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



6- 9 



1- 2 

4 

6 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

1-7- 



Lennard A,, b. Jan. 31, 1833; m. June 5, 1862, Rebecca H. Gonld, 
dau. of James Gould of Lex. He has spent five years in Cali- 
fornia. They have two children, Fred Clijford, b. Feb. 21, 1803; 
Anna Miizzey, b. Sept. 19, 18G6. He is in trade in Lex. ; was 
chosen town clerk, 18(58. 

John, b. July 7, 1835; d. Jan. 6, 1838. 

Annie W., b. July 8, 1838; ra. Dec. 13. 1860, David W. Muzzey. 

Clifford, b. July 19, 1840. He was nine months in the service in 
North Carolina in the late Rebellion. 

David, b. May 8, 1843; he was killed at Gloucester, Sept 29, 1853, 
by the accidental discharge of a gun. 

Frank Edward, b. Dec. 24, 1846. He was b. in Charlestown, while 
his brothers and sisters were all b. in Gloucester, 



THE SIMONDS FAMILY. 

The Simondses of Lexington, originated in Woburn, and came to 
this place about 1680. The first notice of them in the Woburn 
records, is in 1644. When they came to the country is unknown. 

William Simonds of Wo. m. Jan. 28, 1644, Judith Hayward, 
dau of James Hayward. He settled in Wo., about a mile and a 
half westerly of the centre of the town, where he built a house which 
was used as a fort during the Indian wars. He was one of the pro- 
prietors of the town, and became a considerable landholder. He was 
denominated a planter. He served, as most of the men at that day 
did, in the military movements of the times. He was admitted a 
freeman in 1670. He d. in 1670, leaving a wife and a large family 
of children. His widow survived him twenty years, and d. Jan. 5, 
1690. 

Sarah, b. Aug. 8, 1644. 3 Judith, b. May 13, 1646. 

Mary, b Jan. 19, 1648. 

Cahb, b. Aug. 26, 1649 ; m. Sept. 1677, Sarah Bacon, 

William, b. April 25, 1651. 

\Joseph, b. Sept. 28, 1652 ; d. Aug. 12. 1733, in Lexington. 

Benjamin, b. ALarch 28, 1654; m Rebecca . 

Tabatha, h. July 30, 1656 ; d. same day. 

James, b. Oct. 11, 1657 ; m. Feb. 19, 1685, Susanna Blodgett. 
' Bethiah, b. Feb. 11, 1659; m, Aug. 13, 1696, John Walker, 
Huldah, b. Jan. 23, 1660; m. May 10, 1683, Samuel Blodgett. 



Joseph Simonds m. March 7, 1681, Mary Tidd, dau. of John 
and Rebecca (Wood) Tidd. Mr. Simonds and his lather-in-law 
both came from Wo. and settled in the same neighborhood, near 
where Mr. Charles Johnson now resides. The locality is marked by 
the huge and venerable elms which have braved the tempests of nearly 
two centuries. His name is found on the earliest records of Lex., he 
bf'ing a subscriber to the first meeting house in 1692. His name is 
also borne on the first tax bill in 1693, and was among the eight or 
ten highest tax payers on the list. In 1695, we find the name of 
Sergeant Joseph Simonds among the assessors, along with Sergeant 
Thomas Cutler and Corporal William Reed, so that at that early 
day he seems to have been on the high road of military promotion. 
He was one of the selectmen at the first organization under the town 
charter, in 1713. He subsequently served on the school committee, 
and filled other important offices in the town. He and his wife, 
Mary, were admitted to the church under Mr. Estabrook, in 1698. 
He d. Aug. 12, 1733, aged 86, and his wife d. Jan. 4, 1732, aged 77. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



213 



7-13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 

7-15- 



One stone in the grave yard bears the names of both of tliom The 
record of this family is very imperfect,— the birth of only four of 
their children is recorded. His Will, dated Jan. IG, 1733, and 
))roved Sept. 21, 1733, mentions sons Joshua, Joseph. Daniel' and 
Jonathan, and dau. Ilebecca Wellington, JNIary Grimes, Abigail 
Knight, and Elizabeth Brown. Daniel was made executor of "his 
Will. 

Rebecca, b. June 11, 1682; m. Thomas Wellington of Watertown. 
Mary, b. Dec. 15, 1684; m. William Grimes. 
\Joslma, b. Jan. 23, 1687; d. Nov. 3, 1768, aged 82. 
Joseph, b. June 8, 1689. .- ^ 
\Damel, b. 1692; d. April 3, 1776. 

^Jonathan, b. ; d. Dec. 22, 1748. 

Abigail, b. ; m. Knight. 

Elizabeth, bap. Nov. 13, 1698; m. Jonathan Brown. 



15-21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 

7-17- 



17-28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 



7-18- 



JosHUA SiMONDS m. Hannah Poulter of Le.x;. He was constable 
in 1728, school committee in 1732, and selectman in 1733 and 1746. 
He d. Nov. 3, 1768, aged 82; and she d. Nov. 11, 1789, at the ad- 
vanced age of 96. His Will, dated June 29, 1767, and proved Nov. 
22, 1768, mentions Hannah, his wife, and his sons Joshua and Jo- 
seph, and his dau. Sarah Bowman, Hannah Brooks and Betty Reed. 
He made ample provision for his wife, which I will notice, as it shows 
the habits and cnstoms of the times. After describing the portion 
of his house which she might occupy, he provides that she shall be 
furnished with a good horse, two good cows, six bushels of corn, 
three of rye, two of wheat, two of malt, fifty pounds of pork, hun- 
dred pounds of beef, two barrels of good cider, three bushels of win- 
ter apples, a sufficiency of suitable sauce, twelve pounds of flax, six 
pounds of wool, and six cords of wood, to be furnished annually 
during her life. 

Joshua, b. Feb. 11, 1721 ; d. Aug. 29, 1724. 

John, b. Ang. 1, 1724; d. Sept. 1, 1728. 

Harah, b. Aug. 11, 1727 ; m. June 24, 1756, Francis Bowman, Bed. 

Hannah, b. o"ct. 17. 1729 ; m. Brooks. 

Betty, b. Jan. 22, 1732 ; m. April 13, 1757, Hammon Reed. 

^Joshua, b. May 26, 1736; m. Martha Bowers. 

\joseph, b. Oct. 1, 1739 ; m. March 2, 1769, Elizabeth Stone. 



Daniel Simonds m. Nov. 29, 1716, Abigail Smith of Waltham. 
The same year, according to the good old custom, he was chosen 
hoo-reeve. To 'him this was a rising-post, for subsequently, viz. in 
1740 and 1755, we find his name among the selectmen. He and his 
wife united with the church in Lexington, 1751. He d. April 3, 
1776, aged 83. 

ilfan/,b. March 20, 1718. 

fi)amH, b. Nov. 28, 1719; m. Nov. 13, 17o0, Mary Mixter. 
\Nathan, b. Sept. 10, 1722. 
Jane, b. Dec. 1724; d. March 12, 1/25. 
AInaail b April 22, 1732 ; d. Nov. 2, 1734. 

aZu b aL. 30, 1736 ; m. May 29, 1753, Isaiah Tay of Woburn 
Saiah, 'b. April 25, 1739 ; m. April 22, 1756, Abraham Merriam of 
Concord. 

Jonathan Simonds m. Lydia Bowman. He appears to have 
been a considerable landholder. His homestead contained one bun- 
85 



214 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



18-35 
"36 
37 

38 
39 
40 
41 
42 

15-26- 



/ 



26-43 
44 
45 
46 
47 
48 
49 
60 

15-27- 



27-51 
62 

17-29- 



29-53 
54 
56 
67 



rlrcMl and two acres, V'omidofl easterly on land of Thomas Blodgett, 
Robert Fiske, and Wohurn line, westerly by land of Joshua Sinionds 
an<l the town ro;id. northeily on land of Joshua Sinionds, Jonathan 
Robinson, and Tliomas lladiey, and southerly on land of Joshua 
Sinionds. Sunuiel R.iynioiid, Robert Fiske, and 'J'honias Blod;;i'tt. 
llis whole estate at his decease was valued in the enrreney of tlie day 
at £3, -51 'j'iiis di'scription of his homestead fixes his residence in 
the north-easterly part of the town, near the present corner of Wo. 
and Bur. He d. Dee, 22, 1748. He was one of the selectmen ia 
1732. 

Jonathan, b. April 26, 1715. 

Lemuel, b. June 1, 1717; d. June 2, 1764. 

Joseph, b. June 7, 1721. 

Frances, ) . . , -c u i it.h S d. in early infancy. 
, '> twins, b. Feb. 1, 1724: < , i_,-^ •' ^ 

Amos, ^ ' ' t^- 17o0. 

Francis, b. July 12, 1726. 

\John, b. Jan. 5, 1730; m. Mary Tufts. 

Ebenezer, b. May 30, 1735. 



Joshua Simonds m. Martha Bowers of Billerica. They were 
admitted to the church, Sept. 7, 1756. He was a large landholder, 
owning real estate not only in Lex. and other towns in Massachu- 
setts, but in Hollis, X. H. He d. July 24, 1805, aged 69; she d. 
June 24, 1819, aged 77. He was among the brave men who met the 
British on the 19th of April, 1775. He went into the meeting house 
for jiovvder, and finding himself cut off from bis company, cocked his 
gun and placed the muzzle on an open cask of powder, resolved to 
blow up the house in case the British should enter it. 

Martha, b. Oct. 1, 1766; m. Aug. 18, 1785, Rufus Merriam. 
Elizabeth, b. May 24, 1768 ; d. young. 
\Joshua, b. Jan. 1, 1770; m. Abigail Cutler. 
Elizabeth, b. July 4, 1772 ; m. Robert Parker. 
\William, b. Aug. 18, 1774; m. Susan Pierce. 
Lucy, b. Dec. 15, 1776 ; d. Nov. 4, 1824, unm. 
jJonathan, b. Feb. 22, 1779; m. Mrs. Hill of Boston. 
Hannah, b. July, 1786 ; m. July 31, 1809, Eli Robbins. 



Joseph Simonds m. March 2, 1769, Elizabeth Stone. They 
were admitted to the church, April 15, 1770. He d. March 18, 1813, 
aged 73 ; she d. June 10, 1806, aged 63. He was an ensign in Capt. 
Parker's company in 1775. 

Betty, b. May 30, 1769 ; d. Aug. 6, 1795, aged 26. • 
■\Joseph, b. Sept. 29, 1771 ; m. Mary Viles. 



Daniel Simonds m. Nov. 13, 1750, Mary Mixer, dau. of Maj. 
Joseph and Mary (Ball) Mixer. He d. Feb. 9, 1761, and his wid. 
m. May 26, 1763, Andrew Munroe. 

Daniel, b. Nov. 26, 1751; d. Feb. 9, 1761. 

Mary, b. Nov. 9, 1753. 55 Abigail, b. Feb. 15, 1756. 

Joseph, b. April 2, 1758. 

Lucy, b. Aug. 18, 1761, about six months after the death of her 
father. Her mother m. Andrew Munroe, by whom she had two 
sons, the last of whom was born one month after the death of his 
father. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



215 



17-30- 



30-58 

59 
60 

61 

62 

63 

18-41- 



41-64 
65 
66 
67 
68 
69 
70 

26-45- 



45-71 
72 

73 

74 
75 
76 



26-47- 



47-77 

78 



K^^'^'^^r^ ?"^o^'r>s in. Smith of Walt. She d. and he m. 

Abigail Cutler of Bur. He resided at one time in Wo. In 176> 
Nathan Simonds, wife, and children, came from Wo. to Lex. atid 
resided in the house of Daniel Simonds. He was one of the select- 
men in 1776. 

Jonas, b. . He entered the army of the United States, rose 

to a colonelcy, and d. in the service. 
Wavid, b. 1769; m. July 23, 1795, Jernsha Locke. 
Svpplif, b. ; ui. Betsey Brown of Boston. He was drowned 

in Boston. 
Nathaniel, b. ; m. Sept. 21. 1800', Dolly Johnson, dan. of 

Francis Johnson of Wo. and d. in Cliarlestown, wiicre he resided. 
Joel, b. ; m. Susan Hammond of Murblehead. They resided 

in Charlestown, where he died. 
Abigail, b. ; ni. Nathaniel Hill of West Cambridge. 



John Simonds ni. ]\Iary Tufts, dau. of Benjamin and Mary 
(Hutchinson) Tufts of Med. They lived at the corner of Burlington 
and (jrove streets. Their first six cliiklren were all bap. at one 
time, viz. March 11, 1770. He d. Dec. 6, 1812, aged 83. 

Lydia, b. Jan. 13, 1757; m. James Wyman. 

\Ebenezer, b. Aug. 15, 17 8; m. Anne Bradbury. 

Mary, b. July 19, 1761 ; m. July 28, 1794, John Angier of Maiden. 

Rebecca, b. Aug. 1, 17fi3 ; m. A\'illiam Diamond. 

\Lemuel, b. Aug. 26, 1765; m. Mary Maxwell of Bedford, 

Hannah, b. Aug. 7, 1767; m. Aug 26, 1790, Jacob Robinson. 

Sarah, b. Nov. 26, 1776 ; m. Nov. 3, 1800, Jonathan Locke. 



79 



Joshua Simonds m. Jan. 5, 1794, Abigail Cutler, dau of Thomas 
Cutler. She was b May 2, 1771, and d. Aug 1837, aged 60. He 
d. Jan. 1, 1858, aged 88. He kept a public house in Lex. about 
fifty-eight years, at the foot of Fiske Hill, so called, on Monument 
street ; antl the rest of the period, commencing with 1802, at his late 
residence on Bedlbrd street. 

Joseph, b. March 1, 1795. 

Abigail, h. March 14, 1797; m. June 3, 1837, Michael Crosby of 

Bed. as his second wife. 
Franklin, b. June 10, 1799 ; went to Walpolc, N. H. where he m. 

Spauliiing. 

\Joshua, b. May 29, 1801 ; m. Lucy J. Winn of Salem 

Maria, b. June 30, 1807; d. unmarried. 

Vti'i b April 17, 1810; m. P:ilen Crosby, dau. of Michael Crosby. 

the husband of his sister Abigail by his first wife. Otis Simonds 

resides in Connecticut. 



William Simonds m Aug. 18, 1799, Susan Pierce dau of Isaac 
and Hannah Fierce of Walt. She d Feb. 4 1847. in her b8t i ,-ear 
and he d. 1858. They were ad. to the ch. June lo. 1813. "« "^q^t 
a tavern on Concord avenue eighteen years, commencing with 181U. 

Their first child, b. Deo. 13, 1799 and d the next day 
Eumphreu, b. June 6. 1801 ; m. Emeline (x.zeley. He went to Aer 
oXans: where he d. Sept. 7, 1833, leaving a wile and two chil- 

cX b^ U:^t^o, <!. April 17. 1805, by his clothes taking fire. 



216 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



80 

81 

82 
83 
84 
85 
86 
87 



26-49- 



27-52- 



52-89 
90 

91 
92 
93 



30-59- 



59-94 
95 
96 

97 

98 



41-65- 



65- 90 
100 



William, h. Oct. 21, 1805 ; moved to Walt, where he m. 1836, Mar- 
tha Pierce. 

Jonathan Bowers, b. Aug. 2, 1807 ; m. 1832, Harriet Childs of Walt, 
where they reside. 

Srcsan, b. July 18, 1809; d. Ancr. 18, 1813. 

Alice, b. Dec. 3, 1811; d. March 3, 1815. 

Their eighth child, b. March 15, 1814; d. same day. 

jCyrus P., b. April 10, 1815; m. Mary Ann Russell. 

\Eli, b. Aug. 4, 1817 ; m. Elizabeth Swan. 

Isaac Mason, b. Oct. 15, 1819 ; d. March 21, 1821. 

Rvfiis, b. Feb. 10, 1822; d Dec. 17, 1832. 



Jonathan Simonds m. Dec. 8, 1816, Mrs. Patty Hills, wid. of 
Capt. S. C. Hills, and daughter of Erasmus Pierce of Boston. He 
fitted for college, but prefering a more active life, went to Boston. 
About 1809, he entered the army of the United States, was stationed 
at Burlington, Vt., where he was promoted to a captaincy. In 1811, 
he resigned his commission and returned to Boston, where he estab- 
lished himself as a broker, and where he d. He had two children, 
Albert, b. April 17, 1817, and George W.. b. March 1, 1820, who 
resided for some years with his uncle, Eli Robbins, at East Lex. 
He has since gone to New York. 



Joseph Simonds m. Mary Viles, dau. of Joel and Mary (Bow- 
man) Viles. He d. Nov. 21, 1834, and she d. March 5, 1867, in her 
9-'d year. He was representative sixteen years, selectman five years, 
and assessor three years. He was often placed on important com- 
mittees, and was one of the leading men of the town. 

Twins, b. 1803 ; d. soon. 

Eliza, b. March 26, 1804; m. July 21, 1831, Abraham French, lives 
in Lowell. 

Mary Ann, b. June 6, 1806; living, unmarried. 

\Joseph Frederick, h. Oct. 26, 1810; m. Susan MuUiken. 

Marcellus, b. 1812 ; d, 1849, aged 36. He m. May 12, 1846, Maria 
Augusta Ball of Con., by whom he had Marcella Augusta. His 
wid. m. William Heard of Con. and now lives in Detroit. 



David Simonds m. July 23, 1795, Jerusha Locke, dau. of Reu- 
ben and Jerusha (Richardson) Locke. She d. March, 1867, aged 93. 

Nahhy, b. Dec. 17, 1795 ; m. James Bailey. 

Betsey, b. June 4, 1797 ; m. June 6, 1819, William Walker. "-^' 

Bradley, b. Dec. 19, 1799 ; m. May 26, 1823, Mary A. Pierce of 

Wo. and moved to Ashby. 
Lydia, b. Feb. 15, 1802 ; d. unmarried. 
Nathan, h. April 16, 1816; m. Amanda Parks of Line, and moved 

to California. 



Ebenezer Simonds went to Med. about 1780, where he m. April 
30, 1785, Anne Bradbury of that place. His children were all bora 
in Med. On the death of his father in 1812, he returned to Lex. 
and took up his abode on the old homestead. He d. Aug. 23, 1845, 
aged 87, and she d. July 12, 1820, aged 61. They were severely 
afflicted in the loss of their children. He was one of the patriotic 
band who defied British aggression on the 19th of April, 1775. 

Nancy, b. Jan. 18, 1786; d. Jan. 29, 1800. 

Mary, b. May 4, 1788; m. Thomas Iladley of Peterboro', N. H., 
and d. 1828. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



217 



101 
102 
10;5 
104 
105 
106 
107 
108 

41-68- 
68-109 

no 

111 
11-2 
113 
114 
115 

45-74- 



71-116 
47-86- 



85-118 
120 

47-85- 



85-121 
122 

52-92- 



92-124 

125 
126 

127 



128 

129 
130 



Abigail, b. Aug. 21, 1790 ; d. June 18, 1817. 

Judith, b. Aug. 27, 1792 ; d. May 15, 1815. 

\Ehenezer, b Feb. 6, 1795 ; m. Rachel Nichols, and d. Jan. 27, 1867. 

Henry, b. Dec. 22, J797 ; d. Dec. 15, 1842. 

Charles, b. Aug. 6, 1801; d. Aug. 6, 1815. 

Elizabeth,). . , -, nr ^or^, ? d. Oct. 10, 1804. 

William, r^^^^' ^- J^^-25. 1804; 5 

John, b. Feb. 8, 1807 ; d. Dec. 30, 1823. 



Lemuel Simonds m. Mary Maxwell of Bedford. 

Betsey, b. ; m. William Holden of Woburn. 

Daniel, b. ; m. Susan Stearns of Line, where he lived and d. 

Mary, b. ; ra. Jones of Boston. 

Harriet, b. ; m. George Blake and moved into the country. 

Benjamin, b. ; d. 1838, unmarried. 

Abigail, b 



; m. and moved into the country. 



\Qeorge, b. Oct. 11, 1807 ; m. Jan. 5, 1835, Hannah Estabrook. 



Joshua Simonds m. Dec. 25, 1842, Lucy J. Winn of Salem, who 
was b. April 18, 1818. 



Marcus, b. Oct. 1, 1843. 



117 Abbie Jane, b. Ap. 25, 1849. 



Cyrus P. Simonds m. June 6, 1841, Mary Ann Russell, dau. of 
Bill Russell of Woburn. 



Rufus, b. Oct. 6, 1843. 
Cyrus W.,h. May 26, 1848. 



119 Marietta G., b. July 18, 1845. 



Eli Simonds m. Sept. 4, 1842, Elizabeth Swan of West Camb. 
He resides on his father's homestead on Concord avenue. He has 
filled the principal town offices,— overseer, selectman, &c. 

Alice b. June 8, 1843. 

William Henry, b. Nov. 1, 1844. 123 Frank, b. May 12, 1848. 



65-103- 



103-132 
133 



Joseph Frederick Simonds m. May 7, 1835, Susan MuUiken, 
dau. of John and Susan (Reed) Mulliken. He was selectman, 1848, 
'49, and assessor, 1857. 

Mary Caroline, b. April 1, 18367^. Nov. 27, 1862, Dr. W. S. Mil- 

ler of Boston. „,, 

Charles Frederick, b. March 11, 1837 ; d. Aug. 4, 1842. 

f^Zlfh ''iu'lv VlsloJ^He entered the U. S. service, 1861. was 
•""'J^de/atValvern Hill. Va.. and d. of the wound in N. Y. Hos- 

stJ!!:h.OcUll 1842; m. July. 1867. George D. Robinson, as 
his second wife. 

'^ „ Qrvrnvn^ m Feb 15, 1824, Rachel Nichols, dau. of 

Ebenezer Simonds m. xeu. y, . 

Adna Nichols and Sarah (Lonng),b. Aug. ^1^9.. Hed.Jan.-/, 

1867. aged 72. 

S»w„b.Dec.8,1824; d. Oct. 7, 1825 
1 IImr>,L., b. March 2b, 162G ; uumarned. 



218 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



134 



135 
136 
137 



68-115- 



115-138 



139 
140 
142 



1- 2 

3 
4 

5 



Francis K., b. Au^, 22, 1828 ; m. June 1, 1853, Charlotte B. Swett, 
wid. of Rev. AVilliam Gray Swett, and dau. of Ellas Phinncy, Esq. 
Their children are Henry, b. July 10, 1854, in Burlington, Vt,, 
where they then resided, and Franklin P., b. in Lex. June 25, 
1856. She had by her first husband one dau. C. B. W. G. Swett, 
b. Feb. 8, 1843. 

Susan L., b. March 25, 1832 ; d. March 5, 1839. 

Rachel Ann, ) .-^^ , Mo««k in ia^a . S ^- March 7, 1839. 

Mary E., \ *^'°'' ^- ^^'"^^ ^^' ^^^^ ' \ d. Oct. 14, 1838. 



George Simonds m. 
Attai Estabrook. 



Jan. 5, 1835, Hannah Estabrook, dau. of 



John, b. April 23, 1836 ; m. Katy Louisa Nichols of Charlestown, 

where they reside. 
Oeorge, b. June 14, 1838 ; m. Dec. 28, 1863, Mary E. Bannoh. 
Phidelia, b. Dec. 21, 1840. 141 Rosanna, b. Dec. 16, 1842. 

A7ina, b. March 29, 1848. 143 Ella, b. Nov. 25, 1853. 



THE SMITH FAMILY. 

In looking into the early records of almost any town in the Com- 
monwealth, we should naturally expect to find the name of Smith; 
and if John himself was not there, we should infer that he had left 
his kinsmen, Joseph, and Thomas, and Samuel, and had gone on a 
tour to visit his old friend, Mr. Jones. In regard to Lex. we are 
not left to matters of inference ; for in looking at the first tax ever 
imposed by the parish, in 1693, we find that both John and Thomas 
are there, acting the part of good citizens, by contributing to the 
support of religious institutions. But though we have record 
evidence that John and Thomas were at Camb. Farms in 1693, we 
are not so certain whence they came or who were their ancestors. 
The Smiths were so numerous in Wat., Lex., and other neighboring 
towns, and the Christian names of John and Joseph and Thomas and 
Samuel being so common in all the families, it becomes exceedingly 
difficult to trace them and preserve the personal identity, or even the 
family to which any one of them belongs. Living as they did. and 
still do, on the borders of the town, near the line of Wat. and Walt., 
there will, almost as a matter of course, be some passing and repass- 
ing of the town line, which increases the difficulty in making the 
genealogy perfectly accurate. 

According to the best information we can obtain, the Lex. Smiths 
came from Wat. On the earliest list of proprietors of that town, in 
1636, are four of the name of Smith, viz., John, sen., John, jr., 
Thomas, and Francis. 

John Smith, sen., had a wife by the name of Isabella, who d. 
Oct. 12, 1639, aged 60 years. It is probable that John and Isabella 
were the parents of John, jr., and Thomas, and perhaps of Francis 
and Daniel. John, sen., d. July 12, 1639, aged 60. 

John, ad. freeman. May 22, 1639. He may have been the John 
Smith who d. in Lancaster in 1669. 

Francis was ad. freeman. May 18, 1631. 

Daniel was a resident in AVat. as early as 1642. 

\Thomas came to America iu the summer of 1G35, and was ad> free- 
man, May 17, ltJ37. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



219 



1-5- 



5- 6 
7 
8 
9 

10 
11 
12 
13 
14 

5-8- 



8-15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 

5-9- 

9-21 
22 
24 
25 

5-10- 



10-20 



Thomas Smith m. Mary, dau. of William Knapn. He d. March 
10, 1693, aged 92. 

James, b. Sept. 18, 1037; he moved to Lancaster. 
John, h. and d. Nov. 1639. 

\Thoinas, h. Au^. 26, 1610; d. in Lex. Dec. 25, 1727. 
\Jvhn, b. Dec. 10, 1611 ; ni. Mary Reeves. 
\Joseph, b. June 10, 1643; d. June, 1711. 

3Iari/. b. ; m. 1067, John Stratton. 

Ephralm, b. blind, a town charge from 1707 to 1737. 

Jonathan, b. 1659 ; ad. freeman 1690. 
Sarah, d. before her father, leaving children. 

Thomas Smith m. 1663, Mary Hosmer, dau. of James Ilosmer 
of Con., where his eldest three children were born. He moved to 
Lex., where he and his wife were ad. to the ch. June, 1701, by a let- 
ter of dismission from Weymouth. He was taxed here in 1693, and 
in 1700 we find honorable mention of him. In the delicate work of 
seating the meeting house, we find that John Stone and Thomas 
Smith, " were Plast in y*^ fore seatt of y*^ body of seats." He d. 
Dec. 25, 1727, aged 88, and she d. Oct. 1, 1719, aged 64. Their 
names and deaths are inscribed on one stone in the Lex. Old Grave 
Yard. 

] Thomas, b. Concord; ni. Mary . 

James, b. in Concord; d. of casualty in Wat. in 1674. 

John, b. in Concord. 

Samuel, bap. in Wat. ; d. April 22, 1670. 

\Joseph, b. March 4, 1687 ; bap. in Wat. ; m. Hannah Tidd. 

\ Benjamin, b. Sept. 24, 1689. 



8-15- 



8-19- 



19-31 



John Smith m. April 1, 1665, Mary Beers. 

Mart/, b. June 15, 1667. „ -.^^rv 

\John, b. Aug. 8, 1668. 23 Abigail, b. June 29, 1070. 

Hannah, b. Dec. 27, 1672; m. Oct. 20, 1093, Wdliam Fiske. 
Sarah, b. June 7, 1675. 25i Satnuel, b. March 10, 1680. 



Joseph Smith m. Dec. 1, 1674, Hannah Tidd, dau. of John and 
Rebecca Tidd, then of Wo. but afterwards of Lexm^gton. 



She d. in 



/osew/i, b. Aprill9, 1677. 

John, b. April 5, 1678; m. Jan. 15,.1713 Jane Barnard 
Lex Sept. 16, 1763, aged 86 ; said to be of \Valtham. 
\Daniel, b! Sept. 26, 1681 ; m. 1708, Mary Burndge of Newton 
Hannah, bap. Dec. 4, 1687 ; m. 1708, David Mead. 
Rebecca, bap. Dec, 4, 1087. 



Thomas Smith m. Mary . They were ad. to the ch. in Lex. 

March 2 171o! It is supposed that he returned to Wat and prob- 
aWr™- a second wife, Abigail, by whom he had AUgad and Buth, 
and d. 1736. 



T ^„ QvTTTH m Oct 14 1701, Mary Richards, b. May 15, 
Joseph ^mith m. uci. i-*, ^'^.^' ■'^r Wat Tlicv were in 

1680 dau. of William and Mary Richards of Wat. ll.ty were m 
Lex as early as 1702. their first_child being bap. that year. 

Mary, b. April 3, IJOL 



l^S«;bSne-2a,1703id.Feb.7,1728. 



220 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



3-20- 



20-41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
46 
47 

9-22- 



22-48 



10-28- 



28-53 

54 
55 
6G 
68 
69 
60 
61 

19-33- 



33-62 
63 
64 
65 



\JIezeUah, b. April 2, 1706 ; m. Feb. 24, 1725, Elizabeth Wellington. 
\Ehenezer, b. Aug. 15, 1708; m. Abigail, wid. of Benjamin Welling- 
ton, jr. 
Joseph, b. Aug. 30, 1711 ; d. young. 
\ Samuel, b. June 14, 1714; d. May 4, 1760. 

Hannah, b. Jan. 21, 1716; m. Feb. 19, 1737, Timotby Davis, Bed. 
Joseph, b. June 4, 1719; d. Nov. 11, 1740. 

Abigail, b. Sept. 6, 1722 ; m. Feb. 22, 1746, Henry Gale of Weston. 
\Josiah, b. July 6, 1724 ; m. Sarah Francis. 



Benjamin Smith m. July 9, 1713, Martha Comee. She d. Nov. 
19, 1749, and he m. May 3, 1750, Mrs. Esther Green, He d. Dec. 
9, 1779, aged 90. He was for a long time very popular with his 
townsmen, being often elected to public office. He was twelve 
years on the board of selectmen. They had the misfortune to lose 
five of their children young. 

\Benjamin, b. July 20, 1714 ; m. Anna Parker. 
Daniel, b. Dec. 15, 1715; d. Feb. 8, 1740. 
Ezekiel, b. April 28, 1717 ; d. Dec. 12, 1739. 
Martha, b. June 3, 1720 ; d. Sept. 26, 1728. 
TJiomas, b. Aug. 11, 1723; d. May 27, 1726. 
Solomon, b. Sept. 11, 1725; d. July 26, 1733. 
\ Thomas, b. April 15, 1727. 



John Smith m. Mary . He was probably the Jolin Smith 

who was taxed at Camb. Farms in 1793; but did not reside there 
permanently till some time after, as his name is not upon the tax 
bills for several of the subsequent years. Probably the John Smith 
who d. Feb. 4, 1743. 

Isaac, b. Sept. 20, 1695. 49 Sarah, b. Feb. 3, 1698. 

Eunice, b. Sej)t. 1, 1704. 51 Ohadiah, b. May 16, 1708. 

\Jesse, b. April 1, 1711; m. April 26, 1733, Experience Ward of 
Westboro'. 



Daniel Smith m. May 25, 1708, Mary Burridge of Newton. She 
was ad. to the ch. in Lex. May 26. 1717, and four of their children 
were bap., viz., Mary, Jonathan, Betsey, and Lydia, Nov. 2, 1718. 
He d. March 5, 1757. 

Mary, b. March 13, 1709; m. Dec. 30, 1730, Jabez Wyman of Wo. 

Daniel, b. March 10, 1711. 

\Jonathan, b. Oct. 15, 1713; m. Abigail Stratton. 

Betsey, b. Feb. 11, 1715. 57 Lydia, b. May 3, 1718. 

Sarah, b. July 28, 1723; m. Jan. 14, 1742, Abiel Richardson. 

Lucy, b. June 3, 1725 ; ra. Benjamin Wellington of Brookfield. 

Abigail, b. Feb. 22, 1728. 

Eunice, b. June 4, 1730 ; m. Jan. 4, 1750, Joseph Underwood. 



Hezekiah Smith m. Feb. 14, 1726, Elizabeth Wellington of 
Wat. He d. Oct. 16, 1760, and his wid. m. May 18, 1762, Dea. 
James Brown. They were ad. to the ch. Sept. 26, 1736. He was 
selectman, 1756. 

]Abijali, b. Feb. 26, 1727; m. Jan. 18, 1750, Mary Lawrence. 
Elizabeth, b. July 9, 1728 ; m. 1750, Amos Tidd. 
Kezia, b. Nov. 30, 1734 ; m. April 3, 1751, Samuel Green. 
\William, b. Jan. 16, 1736; m. Abigail Smith. 



19-34- 



34-70 
71 
72 
73 

74 
7o 

19-3G- 



3G-7G 

77 
78 
7'J 

80 
82 
83 
84 
85 

19-40- 



40-8G 
87 
88 
89 
90 
91 
92 
93 
94 
95 
9G 

20-41- 



41-97 
98 
99 

100 



GEXEALOGICAL llEGISTER. 221 

^Joseph h May 21, 1743; m. first, Lucy Stn„.., .sctouJ, ALI^mII 

lii<,'oldsby. ° 

^xrah, h. Marfli 28, 174G. G8 Amo^, h. April M 1748 

Ilaunah, b. April 14, 1750. 



Ebexezer Smith ni. Ahh^nW Wc'Ilinp;ton, wid. of Bcujatuin AVel- 
iiigton, ji-. They were very unfortunate in tlieir eliildrm, iiaviu" 
lost fbuv in thiee years. He was a nicinlier of Capt. Parker's eo. in 
1775, and was called to Canib. May 10, and June 17, 1775. 

\Ehenezer. h. Sept. 20, 1710; m. Dec. 29, 17G3, rriscilla Diamond. 

Mori/, b. D.^c. 23, 1743; d. Dec. 1, 175(;. 

Abigail, b. Dec. 2, 174G ; d. June 28, 1753. 

TImddeus, b. Nov. 24, 1748; d. 1753. 

Ezddel, b. April 15, 1751 ; d. June 20, 1753. 

Thaddeus, h. Sept. 25, 1753; one of Capt. Parker's company. 



Samuel Smith m. Mary . He d. May 4, 17G0, aged 46 

years, and she d. Sept. 8. 1763, aged 4G years. We find no record 
of the birth of their first seven children, yet the papers connected 
with the settlement of his estate, show that he had the children named 
below, and their birth must have been nearly as set down. 

MarT/, b. about 1737. 

Lucy, h. about 1739; m. Benjamin Wellington of Brookfield. 
\Samuel, h. about 1741 ; m. Aug. 30, 1764, Abigail Harrington. 
Anna, b. about 1743 ; m. April 10, 1764, Simeon Leonard of Bridge- 
water. 
Amos, b. about 1746. 81 Jonathan, h. about 1748. 

Elizabeth, b. about 1751. 
Abigail, b. March 27, 1754; d. June 1, 1757. 

]John, b. Aug. 21, 1756 ; m. Nov. 15, 1781, Sarah Lawrence of Lex. 
Abigail, b. April 3, 1759. 



JosiAH Smith m. Nov. 15, 1750, Sarah Francis of Medford. 
She d. April 27, 1757, and he m. Jan. 1, 1758, Hannah Brown. He 
was one of the brave defenders of his country's rights on the 19th of 
April, 1775. He was selectman several years. 

Josiah, h. Dec. 1, 1751 ; d. July 1, 1753. 

\Josiah, h. Nov. 26, 1753; m. Feb. 6, 1777, Polly Barber. 

^Abraham, b. July 23, 1755 ; m. Martha Bowman. 

Ebenezer, b. Dec. 4, 1758; d. unm. Sept. 1777. 

Sarah, b. July 26, 1760; m. Sept. 30, 1779, David Penney. 

Hannah, b. July 13, 1762. • „ „ t, 

\Isaac, b. Feb. 1, 1764; m. Aug. 6, 1798, Sally lies. 

\Jacob, b. June 24, 1765 ; ra. Susan Pierce ot U altham. 

Sumnna, b. May 22, 1767 ; m. Reuben P'erce , . ,, ^ 

Elijah, b. May 28. 1769 ; m. Lydia Stearns of Walt. ; d. in Med. 

\Joel,h. June 1, 1771. 



Benjamin Smith m. Nov. 17, 1734, Anna Parker, who d. a wid. 
in Walt. June 10, 1768. 

Solomon, b. Oct. 27, 1738; d. April 16, 1741. 

^Benjamin, b. March 11, 1741. , 

Anna, b. March 31, 1743; m. William Munroe, son of ^\ill.am and 

Marllth. April 19, 1745; m. May 27. 1771. Ebenezer Munroe. 
86 



222 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



101 

102 
10^3 



20-47- 



47-104 
105 



22-52- 



52-107 

108 



28-55- 



55-110 
111 
112 
113 
114 
115 
IIG 
117 
118 
119 



33-62- 



62-120 
121 

33-65- 



Esther, b. April 10, 1751 ; m. Simeon Snow of Holden, and d. Jan, 

14, 1780. 
David, b. Aug. 15, 1756. He was a member of Capt. Parker's co. 
\Thomas, b. July 24, 1760; m. Oct. 3, 1782, Sarah Taylor, Chariest. 



Thomas Smith m. April 12, 1753, Sarah Raymond. They lived 
probably in Wo. now Burlington; for in 1754, they were ad. to the 
eh. in Lex. by a letter of dismission from the second church in Wo. 



Solnmnn, b. June 12, 1754. 
Ezekiel, b. Nov. 24, 1755. 



106 perhaps Sarah, b. 



Jesse Smith m. April 26. 1733, Experience Ward of Westboro', 
dau. of Oliver and Hannah (Brigham) Ward of Northboro'. 



Abiezer, b. May 2, 1734. 
Israel, b. Aug. 26, 1735. 



109 Elizabeth,? 



Jonathan Smith m. Aug. 30, 1738, Abigail Stratton of Walt. 
He d. March 23, 1801, aged 88. He was one of the sons of liberty 
in the Battle of Lexington, and was called to Camb. on the 17th of 
June, 1775. He was on the board of selectmen, 1771. He was a 
lieutenant in the militia. 

Abigail, b. May 29. 1739 ; m. William Smith. 
John, h. Aug. 12, 1743. 

Dorcas, b. June 3, 1746; m. April 4, 1764, John Wood of Camb. 
\Jonathan, b. Oct. 4, 1748; d. Nov. 29, 1819, aged 71. 
Phinehas, b. Feb. 7, 1751 ; d. in Charlestown. 
Timothy, b. Aug. 11, 1753; ad. to the ch. Sept. 17, 1775. 
Susanna, h. Jan. 7, 1756; m. March 25, 1784, Lydia Pierce, Walt. 
Daniel, bap. April 24, 1758; m. and d. in Charlestown. 
Amasa, bap. May 9, 1762; d. Oct. 10, 1812. 

Nathan, bap. March 25, 1764; m. April 24, 1794, Katharine Bacon. 
They moved to Fitzwilliam, N. H., where he d. 1853. 



Abijah Smith m. Jan. 18, 1750. Mary Lawrence, dau. of Jona- 
than and Elizabeth Lawrence, b. Nov. 30, 1729. She d. May 22, 
1775. He was generally known as " Lieut. Smith." 



Abijah, bap. Sept. 1, 1750. 
A child, which d. Oct. 8, 1760. 



122 Mary, bap. Jan. 11, 1761. 



Wii.MAM Smith ni. Oct. 20, 1757, Abigail Smith, dau. of Jona- 
than and Abigail (Stratton) Smith of Lex. He d. 1811, aged 75. 
He was a member of Capt. Parker's co , and was in service both on 
the 19th of April, and on the 17th of June, 1775. 

65-123 Abigail, bap. Aug. 20, 1758; m. Svlvanus Wood of Burlington. 
124 \William, bap. Dec. 27, 1761 ; m. Jan. 22, 1789, Jane Pierce, Walt. 
Lydia, b. July 3, 1764; m. May 21, 1789, Abner Matthews of Line. 
Betty, bap. Dec. 4, 1765 ; m. Jonas Bacon of Bed. They moved to 

Billerica. 
Amos, bap. Oct. 8, 1775 ; d. in infancy. 



125 
126 

127 



33-66- 



JosEPH Smith m. Jan. 17, 1765, Lucy Stone. She d. June 29, 
1772, and he m. second, March 13, 1777, Abigail Ingoldsby of Lex., 
b. Oct. 13, 1750. He was on the Common on the 19th of April, 
when the British fired upon the Americans, was afterwards captain, 
and d. Aug. 19, 1805, 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



223 



66-128 
129 
130 
131 
132 
133 
lU 

135 
130 
137 
138 
139 



140 



34-70- 



70-141 
143 
144 
145 



Joseph, b. Nov. 8, 17G5 ; d. Feb. 26, 1766. 

Joseph, b. Jan. 26, 1767; m. Susan Dakin of Maine. 

Hezekiah, b. April 17, 1769. He went to Providence. 

\Jonas, b. March 19, 1771; m. Pollv Underwood. 

Lucy, b. Feb. 25, 1778; m. Enoch Cory of Marlboro'. 

John Ingoldshy, b. Ah<t. 30, 1779. He moved to Providence. 

Betsey, b. Sept. 14, 1781. She m. a Tileston and moved to Wind- 
sor, Vt. 

\Amos, b. Feb. 12, 1784; m. Catharine S. Langdon of Boston. 

Timothy, b. Oct. 27, 1786. 

James Millcdge, b. April 4, 1790. 

Abigail Cook, b. June 29, 1792; m. Jonas Miinroe. 

Fialph, b. March 26, 1795 ; m. 1816, Rebecca Belcher. She d. Aug. 
1, 1829, and he m. March 4, 1830, Mrs. Atma M. (Adams) Hop- 
kins. He d. June 2, 1853. He resided in Boston. He had a 
family of eleven children, seven of whom are married. 

^Billings, h. Oct. 6, 1797 ; d. May 3, 1847, 



Ebenezer Smith m. Dec. 29, 1763, Priscilla Diamond. He was 
one who was called to Camb. during the Battle of Bunker Hill. She 
d. Sept. 18, 1773. 



142 Diamond, b. Nov. 25, 1767. 



Mary, b. Oct. 17, 1764. 

Ezeidel, b. March 26, 1769. 

Edmund, b. June 21, 1771; d. Jan. 16, 1772. 

Lucy, b. April 11, 1773. 



36-78- 



78-146 



36-84- 



Samuel Smith m. Aug. 30, 1764, Elizabeth Harrington. They 
were ad. to the ch. Nov. 25, 1764. when their first child was bap. 
About 1768, they removed to New Hampshire. In 1772, Samuel and 
Elizabeth Smith were dismissed to " Mason, N. H., in order to the 
gathering of a church there." They may have had other children. 

Samuel, bap. Nov. 25, 1764. 147 Elizabeth, bap. Feb. 1, 1767. 



40-87- 



87-148 
149 
150 

151 
152 
153 



John Smith m. Nov. 15, 1784, Sarah Lawrence, dau. of Bezaleel 
Lawrence. We confess our inability to trace John Smith, or to keep 
a record of his whereabout. His name appears on the tax bill from 
1784 to 1788 ; but in 1789, we iind that the assessors of that year, 
inserted his name as though he was an inhabitant, and erased it as 
though he was not. 



Josiah Smith m. Feb. 6. 1777. Polly Barber of Lex. He d. 
Nov 20 1826, of leprosy, aged 73. He and his wife were ad. to 
the c'h May 14, 1780. She was a dau. of a captain in the British 
ervic; She d. May 10, 1838, aged 84. He was in Capt. Parker's 
CO. at the opening of the Revolution. He was an asssessor six or 
eight years. 

Pollv b Jan. 2, 1777 ; m. March 7, 1799, Abijah Pierce of Lex. 
tFJne^er b. Dec. 1,1780; m. Anna Underwood ^ ^,, . 

/amrb. Nov. 29.' 1785; in. Feb. 4. 1808. Abner B. Phelps of 

tjSfb^April 17, 1789; m Lucincla Wyman of Medford. 



224 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



40-88- 



155 



40-92- 



92-15G 
157 

158 
159 
160 



40-93- 



93-161 



162 



40-96- 



96-163 

164 

165 
166 
167 
168 
169 
170 



41-98- 



98-171 
172 



173 



41-103- 



103-174 
175 



Abraham Smith m. May 8, 1788, Martha Bowman. He was ad. 
to the oh. May 25, 1777. He d. Jan. 9, 1826, aged 70, and she d, 
Aug. 22, 1839, aged 81. He was one of the heroes of the opening 
scene of the Revolution in 1775. 

Oliver, bap. April 19, 1789; he is now living, in his 79th year. 

William Boiuman, bap. Feb. 23, 1794; m. Dec. 10, 1835, Mary 
Smith, dau. of Isaac and Mary. He d. Nov. 7, 1867. Children, 
Abrain B., b. May 18. 1836, m. March 23, 1862, Annette A. Allen, 
and has Mary L., b. Dec. 8, 1862, Lottie A., b. March 10, 1865; 
Edwin Oliver, b. March 23, 1839, d. Sept. 10, 1849; Martha B. 
b. June 28, 1831. 



Isaac Smith m. Aug. 6, 1798, Sally lies. He d. Dec. 6, 1840, 
aged 77. She d. Sept. 25, 1861, aged 86. 

Eliza, b. Jan. 22, 1800; m. ]\raTd724, 1831, Charles Blodgett. 
Susan Pierce, b. July 21, 1801 ; m. May 18, 1823, Francis Kittridge 

Dudley of Weston. 
Mary, b. Jan. 16, 1803; m. 1835, William Bowman Smith. 
iJohn, b. Oct. 17, 1804; m. Oct. 16, 1831, Hannah Fillebrown. 
Martha Botcman, b. Jan. 20, 1809; d. May 30, 1851, unm. 



Jacob Smith m. Susan Pierce of Walt. She d. April 9, 1735, 
aged 62 ; he d. Aug. 3, 1844, aged 79. 

Isaac Brooks, b. Jan. 16, 1803; m. Nov. 24, 1829, Mary Russell, 
dau. of Nathan and Sybil Russell. She d. May 15, 1849, aged 45, 
and he m. second. May 19, 1850, Sarah Poor. He had by his first 
wife Mary Frances, b. Sept. 10, 1830, d. Aprll'26, 1847 ; Susan- 
Pierce, b. March 9, 1836, d. Sept. 21, 1849. 

\William Henry, b. Jan. 7, 1809 ; m. Susan B. Cutter. 



Joel Smith m. Sept. 21, 1794, Elizabeth Stearns of Walt. She 
d. April 1, 1836, and he m. second, June 9, 1839, wid. Zervlah Hall 
of Brewsfer. 

Lois, b. Feb. 18, 1795 ; m. first, June 9, 1822, Jonathan Sanderson, 
and second, June 19, 1832, Patrick Sullivan. 

\Josliua Stearns, b. May 9, 1796 ; m. April 24, 1822, Maria Law- 
rence. 

Levi, b. Aug. 10, 1798 ; d. Feb. 8, 1799. 

Levi, b. Aug. 5, 1800 ; d. Oct. 5, same year. 

Isaac, b. Aug. 31, 1803. He r. in Manchester, N. H. 

Eli Francis, b. Nov. 24, 1805; ra. wid. Livermore, r. in Waltham, 

Priscilla, b. Oct. 14, 1808; m. Darius Wellington of Waltham. 

James, b. Dec. 2, 1813; d. unmarried. 



Benjamin Smith ra. Mary Lee. 

24. 1768. 



They were ad. to the ch. June 



Anna, b. April 2, 1770; m. Abijah Wyman of Burlington. 
Benjamin, b. Sept. 1, 1774. He went to Townsend, where he m. a 

Turner, and was killed by the upsetting of a cart. 
David, b. Sept. 29, 1776. He went to Ashby and m. a Foster. 



Thomas Smith m. Oct. 3, 1782, Sarah Taylor of Cbarlestown, 
b. March 12, 1760. He d. Aug. 11, 1807. 

Sarali, b. Oct. 17, 1783; m, John Underwood. 

Abigail, b. March 30, 1785 ; ra. Sept. 27, 1S09, David Tuttle. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



225 



176 

177 

178 
179 
180 
181 
182 
183 



55-113- 



TJiomas, b. June 12, 1788; d. Aug. 12. 1809, unm. 

William Taylor, b. Aug. 3, 1789 ; m. May 27, 1812, Cynthia Child 

of Gardner. They are both living. No issue. 
Charles, b. July 27, 1791; m. Hannah Hammond. 
Patii/, b. Aug. 10, 1793; m. David Tuttle as his second wife. 
Jonas Leonard, b. Juno 11, 1795; d. March 16, 1801. 
Larkin, b. Oct. 15, 1797 ; m. Lucy S. Smith, dau. of Jonas. 
\Ebenezer R., b. Dec. 3, 1799; m. Almira Reed. 
Jonas Leonard, b. April 10, 1803; m. Sarah Cowley of Wat. They 

had a child which d. young. He d. Dec. 10, 1845. 



113-184 
185 
186 

187 
188 
189 

190 

191 

192 
193 
194 



65-124- 



JoNATRAN Smith m. first, June 15, 1771. Lydia Muzzy. She 
d. Nov. 7, 1785, and he m. second, Oct. 16, 1788, Abigail Marrett. 
She d. March 30, 1794, and he m. third, March 17. 1795, Ruth 
Fiske, dau. of Dr. Joseph and Hepzibah Fiske. He had four chil- 
dren by his first wife, three by his second, and four by his third. 
He d. Nov. 29, 1819, aged 71. He resided on Main street, on the 
place owned by Mr. Cotterell. He was a tanner. 

Svsanna, b. ]\Larch 4, 1772 ; m. Nov. 27, 1794, Joshua Russell. 

Jlhoda, b. April 29, 1774 ; d. same day. 

Samuel, b. Feb. 6, 1778; d. same day. 

Samuel, b. April 15, 1780. 

Harriet, b. Jan. 6, 1791 ; m. Jan. 1, 1823, Imla Parker. 

Cyrus, a twin, b. Dec. 20, 1792. He went to Boston, where he had 

a family. . 

Augustus, a twin, b. Dec. 20, 1792 ; he was found drowned m a 

watering trough, unmarried. 
Hepzibah,h. Oct. 5, 1795; m. April 19, 1821, Benjamin Eaton of 

Woburn. 
Abigail, b. May 16, 1797; m. Joseph Johnson. 
Ruth, b. June 30, 1799 ; m. Lot Eaton of Woburn. 
Jonathan, b. May 16, 1802 ; left Lex. and never returned. 



Willi ui Smith m. Jan. 22, 1789, Jane Pierce of Walt. daii. of 
Ephraira and Lucy (White) Pierce. Record very defective. He d. 
Oct. 13, 1846, aged 85. ^'- ■" ^'■ 



She d. March 11, 1850, aged 81. 



124-195 Abigail, b. 
196 Lovina, b. ■ 



66-131- 



131-197 

198 
199 



66-135- 



135-200 
201 



; m. Oliver Locke. 



Jonas Smith m. March 26. 1798, Polly Underwood. He d. 
Sept. 12, 1811. 

AMOS SMITH ™. April 7 1808. CaAarine S Lang^o" '^^^-J 
^r'^\?r'l-nrSd:af i^'Sri\"n. Jl He .. Ju,, 19. 
ml a|e°d I Xe 1 May 20, 1857. aged 83 y.ars. 

Wi i».,*". b- JJ-f is\T' io'olfc'liswiln II. Roscr,. 

1 Lucy Catharine, b. Oct. 1, Ibii , m. ^^^ , 



226 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



203 



66-140- 



140-204 
205 
206 
207 
208 

87-149- 



149-209 

210 
211 

212 
213 
214 
215 
216 
217 

81-151- 



151-218 
219 
220 
221 
222 
22a 
224 



Amos, h. Nov. 29, 1816, after the death of his father. He grad. H. 
C. 1838, entered the ministry, and was settled in Boston, Dec. 7, 
1842, colleague with Rev. Dr. Parkman. In 1848, he left Boston, 
and was settled, Nov. 26 of that year, at Leominster. In 1856, he 
left Leominster, and took charge of a new society at Belmont. He 
was installed over that society, April 26, 1857. 



Billings Smith m. Nov. 19, 1820, Sarah C. Blodgett. She d. 
May 30, 1836, aged 35, and he m. second, March 8, 1837, Maria A. 
Wi'nship. He d. May 3, 1847, aged 50. He was a captain. 

\Blllinqs, b. Sept. 25, 1821 ; ra. Feb. 10, 1847, Martha Child, Walt. 

Ellen A., b. July 29, 1824 ; m. Feb. 10, 1846, Joseph A. Wellington. 

James M., b. June 8, 1827 ; d. iu California. 

Sarah C, b. May 9, 1836. 

George M., b. July 15, 1842; d. Sept. 24, 1843. 



Ebexezer Smith m. Dec. 5, 1807, Anna Underwood. 
Sept. 6, 1849, aged 65. He d. June 15, 1860, aged 79. 



She d. 



She 



Mary Ann, b. April 21, 1811 ; m. April 7, 1835, Isaac Childs. 

d. 1859. 

Emily Jane, b. Sept. 20, 1813; d. Sept. 20, 1817. 
Maria, b. Jan. 10, 1816; m. Feb. 20, 1834, W. F. Ad.ams of Acton. 

She m. second, Jonas Hanscomb of Moultonboro', N. H. 
Emih/ Jane, b. July 18, 1818; d. June 28, 1820. 
Elizabeth Nichols, b. Aug. 8, 1820; m. Ap. 8, 1841, Alonzo Goddard. 
Adeline, { b. Oct. 28, 1822 ; m. May 1, 1842, Sam. Cooper of Chariest. 
Addison, ^ b. Oct. 28, 1822 ; m. June 22. 1846, Dorcas Ireland of Som. 
Dorcas Wade, b. Sept. 5, 1824 ; m. Elbridge Farmer of W. Camb. 
Josiah, b. July 23, 1827; m. Nov. 22, 1849, Aurilla Snow. 



JosiAH Smith m. May, 1817, Lucinda Wyman of Med. She d. 
April 4, 1853, aged 60. He is living, in the 79th year of his age, as 
spry and active as most men at sixty. He has been long and exten- 
sively known as a master of the fife. Commencing at an early age, 
he has played nearly seventy years for military companies. Such 
has been his reputation as a fifer, that he has been engaged by some 
of the most celebrated companies in the State, to play for them on 
their annual parades and on festive occasions. The Ancient and 
Honorable Artillery Company have been regaled by his music on 
their annual parade for the last half century, and thousands of our 
citizens, from Bangor, Me., to Alexandria, Va., have been excited 
to patriotic emotions by the piercing notes of his favorite instrument. 
Nor has his labor in this line been confined to the " piping times of 
peace." In the war of 1812, he was three months in the service, and 
in the late war many a soldier has left the Commonwealth to defend 
our free institutions, with his breast heaving with patriotism excited 
by the music of this venerable fifer. 

James T., b. April 19, 1819; d. Aug. 11, 1821. 

Oliver, b. Dec. 6, 1820 ; m. Dec. 20, 1849, Louisa Porter. 

EmelineL., b. Aug. 17, 1822; m. Jan. 21, 1841, Charles Clark. 

Caroline, b. July 9, 1824; m. March 3, 1844, John Earle, jr. 

Ocorge //., b. June 11, 1826; m. Jan. 9, 1851, Eliza Melvin. 

Charles C, b. May 2, 1829; d. April 6, 1830. 

Charles C, b. Jan. 5, 1831 ; m. Lucinda Brown. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



227 



225 
226 

87-152- 

152-227 
228 
229 
230 
231 
232 

92-159- 
159-233 

234 
93-1C2- 

162-235 

236 
237 
238 

96-164- 

164-239 

240 

241 

242 
243 
244 

245 
246 

103-182- 



182-247 
248 



Josiali Granville, b. June 16, 1833; m. Oct. 29, 1862, Georgia L 
Houghton. " 

Ethalinda Jane, b. May 25, 1840; m. Aug. 15, 1861, Francis M 
Sawyer. 



Elias Smith m. Aug. 8, 1819, Harriet Hastings, dau. of Samuel 
and Lydia Hastings, b. July 12. 1795. 

Sarah PMps, b. May 8, 1820; m. March 28, 1830, Ebenczer 

Whittum. They reside in Boston, and have one chiM. 
Mary Robhins, b. Aug. 5, 1821; m. Oct. 7, 1846, David Hall of 

Walpole. They r. in Lexington. 
Julia Ann, b. July 31, 1823; m. Dec. 3, 1846, George Arnold of 

Charlestown. 
James Bastings, b. Aug. 11, 1825; ra. June, 1849, Eliza A. Aren- 

burg of J^unenburg, Nova Scotia. 
Elias Ecerett, b. Aug. 7, 1827 ; m. May 27, 1854, Melvina J. Meers 

of Hartford, Vt. ; r. in Belmont. 
Albert Bradford, b. June 9, 1829 ; m. Sarah A. Bryant. They have 

Etta A., b. Sept. 4, 1863. 



John Smith m. Oct. 16, 1831, Hannah Fillebrown of W. Caiub. 

Adeline R., b. Sept. 15, 1832; m. Sept. 12, 1858, Francis II. Knee- 
land of Sweden, Me.; r. in Lex. He served three years in the 
late war. They have Ada F., b. July 19, 1861. 

John F., b. Nov. 20, 1834; d. Aug. 24, 1856. 



William Henry Smith m. Nov. 29, 1834, Susan B. Cutter, dau. 
of Stephen and Sally (Barker) Cutter. She d. Sept. 18, 1857, 
aged 48. 

George Henry, b. May 11, 1841. He was three years in the service 

of the United Slates in tiie Rebellion. 
Susan Rebecca, b. June 29, 1843. 
Sarah Jane, b. March 11, 1846. 
Mary Frances, b. July 8, 1848. 



Joshua S. Smith m. April 24, 1822, Maria Lawrence, dau. of 
Phinehas Lawrence. He d. Jan. 7, 1865. 

Levi James, b. May 15, 1823 ; m. Laura A. George of Cornish, Vt. ; 

r. in Lex. till about 1852. 
Charles L., b. Nov. 16, 1824 ; m. Patience Clarke of Me. They are 

now residing in Charlton. /-, , 

Alden Bradford, b. Aug. 1, 1829 ; m. Hannah Clarke of East Camb. 

r. in Lexington. 
Meline Auqnsta, b. Jan. 28, 1830. 
Maria Louisa, b Dec. 6, 1832 ; d. Jan 21 18o2. _ 
Windsor, b. April 19, 1836; m, Anna lord of Provincetown ; r. in 

Boston. , ^ rr ,0-4 

Anna Arbelle, b. Oct. 25, 1840; d. Oct. 7, 18o4. 

Marshall Broivn, b. March 8, 1843. 



Ebenezer R. Smith m. Jan. 29, 1829, Almira Reed. She d. 
Feb. 12, 1860, aged 56. 

Sarah E b. Oct. 27, 1829 ; ni. April 23, 1851, Edmund Reed, Bur. 
Eustis B.', b. March 6. 1832 ; d. Dec. 10, 1832. 



228 



mSTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



249 

250 
252 



140-204- 



204-253 
255 
257 



1- 2 
3 
4 
5 



AJmira J., b. Oct. 1, 1833 ; d. Nov. 22, 1834. 

Almira Jane, b. Oct. 24, 1835. 251 Eustis Reed, b. June 30, 1839. 

Odavia, b. July 16, 1841. 



BiLLixGS Smith m. Feb. 10, 1847, Martha Childs, dau. of Isaac 
Childs of Walt. He traded several years in Lexington, where he 
now resides, but is doing business in Boston, in the grain line. 



Billings, b. July 19, 1848. 
Martha R., b. April 29, 1853. 
Alice M., b. Feb. 24, 1867. 



254 Lucy R., b. Nov. 18, 1850. 
256 Ralph, b. Sept. 28, 1857. 



William Smith b. May 26, 1794, in Walt. ; came to Lex. Jan. 8, 
1819, m. April, 1820, Mary Fiske, dau. of Isaac and Sarah (Flagg) 
Fiske of Walt. She d. March 19, 1823, leaving one child. He ni. 
July 22, 1824, Mary C. Green, dau. of Jonas and Hannah (Child) 
Green of Walt. She d. Feb. 13, 1829. She had two children. He 
m. Nov. 1832, Joan, wid. of Oliver Locke. Capt. William Smith, 
though not a Lexington man by birth, is from the same parent stock 
as the families above traced. He was son of Elijah Smith, b Jan. 
30, 1760, who was the son oi Jonas Smith, b. June 7, 1719, who was 
the son of Zachariah Smith, b. May 16, 1687, who was the son of 
Jonathan (No. 13 in the foregoing table of the Smith family), and 
Jonathan was a brother of Thomas, John, and Jo.seph, who settled 
in Lex., and they Avere sons of Thomas, who was born in England 
and came to this country, 1635, with his father, John. 

William E., b. Dec. 22, 1820; he resides in Boston. 

Franklin O., b. May 23, 1825; d. Sept. 19, 1826. 

Charles G., b. Sept. 25, 1827 ; d. March 25, 1829. 

Mary E. B., b. Jan. 3, 1834; m. May 21, 1861, William P. F. 
Meserve. They reside in Boston, and have three chil., Josephine 
C, b. Nov. 2, 1862; William S., b. June 28, 1864; Harry F., b. 
May 7, 1867. 



Webster Smith, like Capt, William above, is a Lexington man by 
adoption, but is of the same parent stock as the Lexington families. 
His father, Jonas Smith, b. Feb. 6, 1788, was son of Zachariah, b. 
Aug. 22, 1749, who was son of Jonas, b. June 7, 1719. Here the 
ancestors of William and Webster unite ; and by tracing them back 
through Zachariah, we come to Jonathan (No. 13 in the foregoing 
register of the Smiths), and thence to the first emigrant. These 
Smiths generally resided in Waltham. 

Jonas Smith of Line. m. 1815, Abigail Fiske, dau. of Phinehas. 
She d. April 13, 1862. They have had Abigail, d. in infancy; 
Francis, b. April 8, 1822, m. Abigail Baker ; Webster, h. May 24, 
1825 ; Sarah Caroline, b. June 7, 1828, m. Samuel Pierce. 

Webster Smith, the second son of Jonas, purchased the well 
known Phinney Place, and came to Lex. about 1852. He m. April 
5, 18G3, Caroline Cormic, dau. of Peter and Mary Cormic of Pictou, 
Nova Scotia. They have one child, Abhie Fiske, b. July 4, 1865. 
He was one of the selectmen during the Rebellion, when many 
important duties were devolved upon that Board. 



There are other Smiths in Lexington, who have come into town 
recently, but do not belong to the same original stock. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



229 



1- 2 

3 
4 



William L. Smith came to Lex. from Sterling about 1820. He 
m. Hannah Lane of Bed. He d. July, 1857, aged GO. 

WiUiam H., b. Dec. 10, 1820 ; m. May 20, 1849, Susan L. Ilolbrook. 
He was a trader in the East Village. He was killed by falling 
from his wagon, 1867. He had one child, George Edwin, b. Julv 
27, 1854. ^ 

Adeline A., b. June 20, 1827; m. May 1, 184G, Horatio Locke of 
West Cambridge. 

Oeorge 0., b. Jan. 5, 1802; is in business in Boston. 



1- 2 
3 



There is still another family of Smiths in Lexington. 

Sylvanus W. Smith came to Lex. from Newton, 1831. Abid 
Smith of Smithfield, R. I., removed to Needham, Mass., where he d. 
Feb. 18()1. His son, Enoch Smith, was b. in Needham, but settled 
in Newton, where he d. Nov. 25, 1S34. He m. Elizabeth Woods, 
dau. of George Woods of Rox. She d. Oct. 11, 1848. Sylvanus 
W. Smith, son of Enoch and Elizabeth, was b. in Newton, Aug. 2, 
1808, and m. July 6, 1834, Catharine Adams of Lex., dau. of Zab- 
diel and Susan, b. April 26, 1813. They have had three children, 
Susan E.y b. July 9, 1835; Ellen E., b. Nov. 25, 1837, d. Aug. 7, 
1848; Emma A., b. Oct. 5, 1848. Sylvanus W. Smith has served 
several years as overseer of the poor and as selectman. He is also 
a magistrate. 



THE SPAULDING FAMILY. 

Though the name of Spaulding is quite common, no fiimily of that 
name has reside<l in Lexington till a period comparatively recent. 
The Spauldings probably originated in Braintree, where Edward and 
his wife Margaret settled, and where she d. 1640. He had Edward 
and Benjamin b. in Braintree before 1644, and Andrew b. Nov. 19, 
1653 in Chelmsford, to which place he had removed. Andrew was a 
deacon of the church there. The descendants of Edtcard Spaulding 
became numerous in that and some of the neighboring towns. Ed- 
ward Spaulding was chosen into office in Chelmsford in 1654, and is 
said to have planted the first orchard in the town. The late Dr. 
Spaulding of Lexington descended from this stock. 

Stillman Spaulding, son of Job and Sarah (Proctor) Spaulding 
of Chelmsford, m. May 13, 1819, Lucy Butterfield, dau. of John and 
Rebecca (Kendall) Butterfield of the same town. Having studied 
medicine, he established himself in Lex. about 1820, and continued 
in practice to the time of his death, May 26, 1860. He was in his 
72d year. 

John B., b. June 29, 1823 ; d. May 4, 1832. . 

Susan B., b. July 31, 1826; m. Jan. 23, 184o, Wdliam J. Currier, 

who is in practice of medicine in Lexington. 
Nathaniel E., b. Nov. 23, 1829; ra. June 14, 1858, Henrietta D. 

Palfrey of Boston. 
Louisa B., b. Feb. 16, 1833; d. next day ,^ „ _ ... „ 

John B., b. Sept. 11, 1836; m. Oct. 3, 1861, Mary Bates Saville of 

Gloucester. 



There are other Spauldings ia Lexington, from whom no returns 
have been received. 
87 



230 



HISTORY or LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 
3 
4 
5 
6 

7 
8 



1-5- 



6-10 
11 
12 
13 
14 

15 



STAPLES. — Rev. Nauor Augustus Staples, who was settled 
in Lc-xin<;toii, was son ol Jason and Pliila (Tu(l) Staples of Mendon. 
He was b. Aufj. 24, 1830; m. Sept. 24, 1854, jNIargaret Shipping, 
dau. of Charles and Martha (Eddawes) Shipping of Philadelphia, 
Pa. He grad. at IMeadville Tlieological School in 1854, and was 
ordained at Lexington, Sept. 20, 1854. He was dismissed at his 
own request, jS'ov. 30, 185G, and was settled over a new society 
foruied in Milwaukee, 111. After the breaking out of the Rebellion, 
he united himself with one of the Illinois regiments as chaplain. His 
health became impaired and he left the service. Having partially 
recovered his health, he settled over a society in Brooklyn, N. Y. 
His zeal and unsparing devotion to his profession gradually under- 
mined his constitution, and he d. Feb. 5, 1864. Mr. Staples was a 
man of brilliant talents, and though he died young, had acquired a 
high reputation as a preacher. Their first child, Frederick A. Staples, 
was b. in Lex. Dec. 11, 1855. , 



THE STEARNS FAMILY. 

There have been a few Stearnses in Lexington in every period of 
her history, and yet if is impossible to give a connected genealogy 
of them. This arises from the tact that the first family of that name 
became nearly if not quite extinct, and also from the fact that they 
descended from two distinct families. 

Isaac Stearns came to this country in IGoO, probably in the same 
ship with Gov. Winthrop and Richard Saltonstall, and settled in 
Wat., near Mount Auburn He was made freeman, 1630, which, is 
the earliest date of any such admissions. He was selectman several 
years, and d. June 19, 1671, leaving a wid., Mary, who d. April 2, 
1677. Two or three of their children were born in England. Isaac 
Stearns, in his Will, dated only a few days before his death, says, 
" My will is that my kinsman, Charles Stearns, shall have ten 
pounds of my estate." This Charles Stearns is the ancestor of a 
portion of the Lex. Stearnses. 

Mary, b. in Eng. ; m. July 9, 1646, Isaac Learned of Woburn. 

Hannah, b. in Eng. ; m. in Wat. Dec. 25, 1650, Henry Freeman. 

John, b. in Eng. ; settled in Billerica, where he d. 1668. 

\Isaac, b. Jan 6, 1633 ; m. June 24, 1660, Sarah Beers. 

Sarah, b. Sept. 22, 1635; m. June 7, 1655, Dea. Samuel Stone of 

Camb. She d. Oct. 6, 1700. 
Samuel, b. April 24, 1638 ; d. Aug. 3, 1683. 
Elizabeth, b. ; m. April 13, 1664, Samuel Manning of Camb. ; 

r. in Billerica. 
Abigail, b. ; m. April 27, 1666, Dea. John Morse. 



Isaac Stearns m. June 24, 1660, Sarah Beers, and settled in 
Lex. He d. Aug. 2, 1676, and his wid. m. July 23, 1677, Thomas 
Wheeler of Concord. 

Sarah, b. Jan. 14, 1662; m. Dec. 27, 1678, John "Wheeler of Con. 
Marij, b. Oct. 8, 1663; m. Jan. 1, 1694, John Cutler. 

\Isaac, b. April 26, 1666; m. Elizabeth . 

'fSaimiel, b. Jan. 11, 1668 ; m. Phebe . 

Abigail, b. ; m. Nov. 29, 1692, Samuel Hartwell, and d. 

May 11, 1709. 
Joh7i, b. 1675. He r. in Con., afterwards in Bil., where he d. 1734. 



GENEALOGICAL llEGISTER. 



231 



5-12- 



12-16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 



5-13- 



13-25 

26 
27 
28 
29 

30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 



Isaac Stearns m. Elizabeth . He was a subscriber to the 

first meeting house, 1692, and was taxed the year following. He 
was ad. to the eh. May 8, 1699, by a letter from the eh. in Wat. 
He was constable in 1710. His iirSt four children were recorded in 
Camb., the others in Lex. His children settled in iStoughton. 

Isaac, } , . , ^ 

Simon, \ *'^^'"^' ^- ^^^- 1^' '^^^'^ i both went to Stoughton. 

Jabesh, b. Jan. 27, 1700; d. Apiil 30, 1700, 

Jonathan, b. Nov. 20, 1701 ; r. in Stoughton. 

Hannah, b. Jan. 26, 1704. 

Mary, b. Nov. 10, 17(16; m. about 1729, Dr. Edward Esty of 

Stoughton, who lived to be one hundred years old. They had 

fourteen children, twelve died without families. 
Martha, bap. Feb. 7, 1709; m. Nov. 1, 1734, Daniel Talbot of 

Stoughton. 
Ebenezer, bap. July 8, 1711 ; was a Baptist clergyman in Stoughton. 
Abigail, bap. Nov. 12, 1713. 



Samuel Stearns m. Phebe . He was in the precinct at its 

organization, and was taxed 1694, was an assessor 1711, '13, '17, 
and was a tythingman, 1718. He was killed by a casualty, Nov. 19, 
1721, and his widow settled his estate. She moved to Littletoti in 
1730, with a portion of her children. The rest appeared to have 
scattered in dillereut directions. 

Sarah, b. Jan. 15, 1697; m. May 21, 1729, William Wheeler of 

Stoughton. 
Mary, b. June 27, 1699; m. John Powers of Shutesbury. 
Abigail, b. Feb. 18, 1700; m. Joseph Temple of Con. 
Samuel, b. March 7, 1702; resided in Hollis, N. H. 
Ridh, b. May 25, 1704; m. Feb. 5, 1724, Oliver Lawrence of Wat. 

and d. 1725. 

Phebe, b. Feb. 23, 1706; m. Cimimings of Uxbridge. 

Rebecca, b. April 15, 1708; m Whittemore. 

Thomas, b. July 4, 1710; resided in Littleton. 

John. b. July 23, 1712; r. in Dedham and Attleboro'. 

Joseph, bap. April 15, 1715. 

Benjamin, b. Jan. 6, 1720; resided in Rutland. 

This branch of the Stearns fjimily appears to have become extinct 
in Lexington; though other branches liom time to time crop out in 
the town. 



Phixehas Steahns of Waltham. b. Feb. 28, 1738, son of Dea. 
Isaac, m. July 9, 1761, Mary Wellington, who d Feb. 13, 1790. 
He moved to Lexington as early as 1768. A part of their children 
were b. in Lex., and several of them m into ]>ex. families. He was 
in the Revolution. He was selectman 1781 and 1782. 

Sarah, b. Dec. 24, 1761; m. Isaac Hastings of Lexington. 
Mary, b. March 6, 1764; m. William Stearns, and d. 1814. 
Peleg, b. April 25, 1766; m. May 22 1794, Susan Pliinnry. 
John,hA\>. April 24, 1768; m. May -n, 1794, Cli.loe Piiiuney. 

The foref^oing two brothers were m at the same tuiic, and their 
wives were'^sisters, dau. of Benjamin Phinney of Lexington. 
Phinehas, bap. June 1, 1770; d. young. 
Susanna, b. Aug. 8, 1774; in. 18i)0, James Wyeth of Camb 



8 I Isaac, b, Kov. 3, 1776 ; d. youn^ 



232 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 



1-4- 



4- 9 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 

16 
17 

18 
20 

21 



4-13- 



13-22 
23 
24 
25 
26 

13-26- 



Rebecca, b. Aug. 24, 1778; m. April 11, 1805, David Wellington. 
Dorcas, b. May 8, 1780; m. Dec. 11, 1808, Luke Child. 



Samuel Stearns b. Oct. 23, 1761, son of Samuel of Walt., m. 
1799, Elizabeth Brown, dau. of Capt. Francis Brown of Lex., re- 
sided for a short time in Lex., where he d. June 13, 1805. They 
had Samuel, b. in Walt. Aug. 20, 1800 ; and Charles and Edwin, 
twins, b. in Lex. May 22, 1804. Charles d. in Boston, 1830, unm. 
and Edwin went to Middletown, Conn., where he became prominent, 
having been bank commissioner, aide to the Governor, representative 
and senator, and State treasurer. 



Charles Stearns of Wat. was admitted freeman, May 6, 1646. 
He was "kinsman" of Isaac Stearns, mentioned in his Will, 1671. 
In 1680, he was elected constable in Wat., but declined serving. It 
is supposed that soon after this he moved to Lynn End (now Lynn- 
field) with his son, Shubael. His first wife, Hannah, d. in Wat. 
1651, and he m. second, June 22, 1654, Rebecca Gibson, dau. of 
John Gibson of Cambridge. 

Samtiel, h. in Wat. June 2, 1650 ; settled in Watertown. 
Shvhael, b. in Camb. Sept. 20, 1655 ; settled in Lynnfield. 
jJoltn, b. in Camb. Jan. 24, 1657 ; r. in Lexington. 

Isaac, b. ; settled in Salem, and d. previous to 1692. 

Charles, b. • ; slain in the King's service prior to 1695. 

Rebecca, b. ; m. Jan. 25, 1693, Thomas Trains. 

Mai-tha, b. ; m. Hutchinson. 



John Stearns m. Judith Lawrence. She d. and he m. April 2, 
1713, Mary Norcross, He resided in Lex., where he was taxed in 
the first tax bill, 1693. He d. Feb. 22, 1722. Living near the line 
of Wat., most of his children were bap. in that town. 

Rebecca, b. March 21, 1682. 10 Judith, bap. June 22, 1690. 

Sarah, bap. June 22, 1690. 

Oeorge, bap. June 22, 1690; d. June 26, 1760; r. in Waltham. 

\Benjamin, bap. June 22, 1690 ; m. Hepzibah Shattuck. 

John, bap. May 11, 1701 ; m. Deliverance Bigelow ; r. in Worcester. 

Thomas, bap. May 11, 1701; he settled in Worcester, and kept a 
public house. 

Daniel, bap. May 11, 1701. 

Isaac, bap. May 11, 1701 ; m. Mehitabel Frost; r. in Boston. 

Mary, bap. May 11, 1701. 19 Elizabeth, bap. May 11, 1701. 

Abigail, b. in Lex. May 12, 1700 ; m. April 2, 1724, Jonas Har- 
rington. 

Charles, b. in Lex. Oct. 22, 1702 ; he was ad. to the ch. Jan. 15, 
1721, and dismissed April 13, 1729, to a church in Carolina. 



Benjamin Stearns m. Sept. 6, 1721, Hepzibah Shattuck, wid. of 
Nathaniel. Her maiden name was Hastings. 

Hepzibah, bap. Sept. 1, 1722; d. 1723. 

Benjamin, b. 1723 ; d. 1724. 

Hepzibah, b. March 7, 1725; m. 1744, Josiah Smith of Weston. 

Uicy, b. Jan. 24, 1727 ; m. Feb. 28, 1748, James Smith of Weston. 

\Benjamin, b. Dec. 27, 1728 ; m. in Newton, Hannah Seger. 

Benjamin Stearns m. Sept. 11, 1754, Hannah Seger of l^ewton. 
They were ad. to the ch. in Lex. June 22, 1766. On the 13th of 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



233 



26-27 

28 



26-27- 



27-38 

39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
46 



47 



27-41- 



41-48 
49 
50 
61 
52 
53 
54 
55 
50 
57 
68 



41-49- 

49-59 
60 
61 



July of that year, five of their children were baptized. He d. May 
26, 1801, aged 73; she d. Nov. 25, 1805, aged 69. He was in the 
campaign to White Plains, in 1776. 

\Asahel, bap. July 13, 1766; m. Marv Smith. 

Habakkuk, bap. July 13, 1766; m. April 18, 1785, Eunice Child, 

and settled in Line, where he d. Feb. 15, 1822, and his wid. d. 

Nov. 1822. 
Nahiim, bap. July 13, 1766. 
Martha, bap. July 13, 1766; d. May 9, 1791. 
Ishmael, bap. July 13, 1766; r. in VValt. and d. 1820. 
Noah,h^p. Sept. 21, 1766; m. June 5, 1806, Prudence Winship of 

Lexington. 
Hannah, bap. Sept. 21, 1766; m. Feb. 17, 1785, John Parker. 

They were the parents of Rev. Theodore Parker. 
Hiram, bap. Oct. 16, 1768. 
Jeptha, m. in Weston, Nov. 1, 1798, Sally Fiske. 

Animi, h. ; m. in Boston, Jan. 31, 1804, Polly Stearns. 

Elisha, bap. April 27, 1777. 



AsAHEL Stearns m. Mary Smith. They made their peace with 
the ch. in Lex. Sept. 25, 1785, and two of their children were bap. 
Oct. 2, 1785. He was a member of Capt. Parker's co. 1775, was 
one of the eight months' men in 1775, and was in the continental line. 

Nathan, bap. Oct. 2, 1785; m. May 21, 1807, Susanna Adams. He 

d. 1845. 

Moses, bap. Aug. 13, 1786; m. Harthan ; resided in Lex. 

Amos, bap. July 6, 1788; m. Nancy Blodgett ; r. in Lowell. 

\Joel, bap. June 20, 1790; m. Betsey Parker. 

Matthew, bap. June 17, 1792; m. Nabby Brooks. 

lihoda, bap. July 27, 1794 ; ra. Charles Gove. 

Leonard, bap. Aug. 28, 1796; m. Hannah Wilson; r. in Belmont. 

Marshall, bap. Aug. 26, 1798; m. Elvira Flagg. 

Ltither, bap. Sept 12, 1800; m. Oct. 5, 1830, Lydia Varnum. They 

had four children, who d. young. 
Otis, bap. Nov. 14, 1802; m. Lydia . 



Joel Stearns m. Betsey Parker. 

Joh7i, b. about 1816; r. in Charlestown. 
\Ocorge, b. Nov. 3, 1818; m. Lavinia Hadley. _ 

David, b. ; m. Adeline Withington ; r. in Charlestown. 

Almira, b. about 1822; m. George Webber of Waltham. 
Ambrose M., b. 1824; m. Cynthia Viles of Walt. ; r. in Chariest. 

Abner, b. ; m. Charlotte Bigelow of Line. ; r. in Chariest. 

Henry, b. ; m. Marie Piper of Walt. ; resides there. 

Jane] b. ; m. Sept. 22, 1844, Nathan Boynton ; r. Westboro'. 

Edward, b. • ; d. 1863. 

Ophelia, b. ; m. George Rawson ; r. in Boston. 

Albert, b. ■ ; ni. Lizzie Grace; r. in Waltham. 

There being no record of the family, they may not be arranged in 
the order of their birth. 

George Stearns m. Dec. 25, 1844, Lavinia Hadley, dau. of 
Sewell Hadley. 

Oeorrje Arthur, b. March 12, 1846. 
Adelaide, b. Dec. 16, 1848. 
Charles Herbert, h. Dec. 7, 1854. 



234 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 

3 



THE STETSON FAMILY. 

Caleb Stetson is a son of Thomas Stetson of Kingston, and was 
b. July 12, 1793. He grad. H. C. 1822, and was settled as a clergy- 
man at Modford, Feb. 28, 1827. He left Medford, and was settled 
at South Sc'ituate. Mr. Stetson is a lineal descendant from the 
original emigrant, Robert Stetson, who settled in Scituate, commonly 
called " Cornet Robert," he being a cornet of the first company of 
horse in Plymouth Colony. He was seventeen years a deputy to 
the General Court, and was active in King Phillip's War. He d. 
Feb. 1, 1702, aged 90 years. Thomas, his third son, had a family 
of twelve children. Elislia, the fifth son of Thomas, bap. 1686, m. 
about 1706, Abigail Brewster, by whom he had five children. Elislia^ 
his only son, b. 1718, m. 17-42, Sarah Adams, and had ten children. 
Thomas, his third son, b. March 9, 1752, m. Sept. 3, 1778, Elizabeth 
Cook of Kingston, and had eleven children. He was a shipmaster 
about thirty years, when he left the sea, and settled on a farm in 
Harvard, where he d. 1820. His children, of whom Caleb was the 
ninth, were born in Kingston. 

Caleb Stetson m. Aug. 22, 1827, Julia Ann Merriam, dau. of 
Rufus and Martha (Simonds) Merriam of Lexington. After leaving 
South Scituate, he came to Lex. to reside on the old homestead of 
his fiither-in-law, in 1860. 

Frederic D., b. July, 1828 ; went abroad .for his health, and was lost 
at sea on his passage from Palermo, March 10, 1846. 

Thomas M., b. June 15, 1830; grad. H. C. 1849, read law, and is 
in practice at New Bedford. He m. Sept. 10, 1856, Caroline 
Dawes, dau. of Hon. Thomas D. Elliott of New Bedford. 

Julia, b. April 1, 1834; m. Dec. 5, 1867, Sergeant C. Whitcher of 
Boston ; r. in Lexington. 

Osgood, b. Oct. 5, 1837 ; d. Oct. 9, 1838. 

Edward G., b. Nov. 4, 1840; grad. H. C. 1863, is studyihg law. 

Abbij, b. Sept. 10, 1844; ra. March 8, 1866, A. Augustus Griffing. 

Ellen W., b. July 31, 1847. 



STEVENS. — The family here traced is said to have descended 
from John Stevens, one of the first settlers of Andover, but in the 
absence of the records we are unable to fill up the line of descent. 

Cyrus Stevens of Gloucester m. about 1796, Hannah Elwell of 
that town. They had Caroline, h. 1797 ; William, h. 1799 ; two 
children who d. in early infancy; George, b. 1802; Henry, b. 1804; 
James, b. 1807. 

William Stevens, son of Cyrus and Hannah, m. May 13, 1822, 
Nancy Pierce, dau. of Henry and Abigail (Knights) Pierce. He 
settled in Gloucester and subsequently in Charlestown, and from 
thence cams to Lex. about 1845. He engaged in mercantile pur- 
suits, and afterwards was a clerk in the Boston Custom House 
twelve years. He d. Aug. 28, 1862, aged 63. They had the fol- 
lowing children, Anna P., h. Dec. 29, 1823, d. Oct. 8, 1824; Wil- 
liam H., b. April 13, 18-'6, m. June 5, 1848, Caroline E. Goodrich 
of Charlestown. they reside in California, and have two children; 
Thoma>ine L., b. March 25, 1828; Ann C, b. Feb. 28, 1831, m. 
June 2, 1852, Horace B. Davis, and has two children; Hannah E., 
b. June 2, 1833, m. Nov. 27, 1857, George D Robinson, and d. 
April 5, 18G4, leaving one child; Mary, b. Nov. 12, 1844. 




(&M <&/J/rjv. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



235 



THE STONE FAMILY. 

The Stones were early in the country, and have become very 
numerous in all parts of the State. They were among the early 
settlers in Lexington, and were numerous, respectable, and influen- 
tial. There were so many of the same name, that they were in many 
instances in the Lex. Records, designated by their geographical 
position, as John Stone East and John Stone West, Samuel Stone 
East and Samuel Stone West. But the family are now, and for some 
time have been, nearly or quite extinct in the town. 

Gregory Stone, their original ancestor, came to this country 
with his family in 16.S5, and settled in Cambridge. He was one of 
the members of the first church, and was one of its deacons. He 
had six children, four sons and two daughters. He was also step- 
father of John and Lydia Cooper, two children of his wife by her 
first husband in England. Dea. Stone d. Nov. 30, 1672, aged 82. 
She d. June 24, 1674. He was ad. freeman, 1636 ; was one of the 
proprietors of Watertown, and a representative in 1638. 



John, b. in Eng. about 1619 ; m. Anne 



He was one of the 



proprietors of Sudbury, bad several grants of land there, and 
settled on the Sudbury river near the Falls, being the place where 
the village of Saxonville, in Framingham, is now situated. He 
had twelve children, and bis descendants have been numerous in 
Sudbury, Framingham, and other towns in that neighborhood. 
None of them came to Lexington. 

Daniel, was a " chirurgeon," and resided in Boston. 

\Davld, settled on his father's "Cambridge Farms," where lie owned 
a large tract in the southwestern part of the town, including what 
is now a part of Lincoln, where Gregory Stone, one of his descend- 
ants lived on the old homestead. 

Samuel, like his brother David, settled on his father's large tract, 
residing about a mile easterly of his brother, near the junction of 
our present Lincoln and Weston streets, where stood the old 
mansion, occupied by the Stones for more than a century. 

Elizabeth, m. Potter, and resided in Ipswich. 

Sarah, m. July 12, 1653, Joseph JNIerriam of Con. and was the mo- 
ther of Joseph, John, Robert, and Thomas Merriam, who settled 
in Lex. in the immediate neighborhood of the Stones. She d. 
in Lex. April 8, 1704, aged 71, and hence was born 1633. 



David Stone m. Elizabeth 



about 1648, and had David, 



but the mother and child soon d., and he m. second, Dorcas , 

and had several children. He was made freeman, 1647. He d. Jan. 
16, 1704, and she d. Aug. 13, 1704. His name does not appear upon 
the first records of the precinct, except as a tax payer, and his tax 
being small, he had probably disposed of most of his property to his 
sons, and had in a manner retired from business, as he was between 
seventy and eighty years of age. The record of his family, and 
that of his sons, is exceedingly defective, and hence I can give no 
full account of them. ' 

\David, b. April 9, 1650; m. Dec. 31, 1674, Sarah Hildreth. 

\Daniel, b. . 10 Dorcas, b. Dec. 18, 1652. 

\John, b. 1654 ; m. Mary . 

\Samuel, b. June 19, 1656 ; m. Hannah . 

Nathaniel, b. ■ ■. 



236 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1-5- 



5-14 
15 

16 
17 
18 
19 

4-8- 



8-20 



4-9- 



4-11- 



11-22 
23 

24 



4-12- 



Samuel Stone was b. 1635, the year his father came to the coun- 
try. He m. June 7, 1655, Sarah Stearns of Wat., by whom he had 
ten or twelve children, about half of whom d. young. It is difficult 
to say at what time Samuel Stone and his brother David came to 
Cambridge Farms, but it is probable that they settled hare about the 
time of their marriage, that is. about 1648 and 1655 respectively; 
and as the country was at that time unsettled, they would naturally 
precede their families, and so may have been here a year earlier. 
They were at all events among the first settlers. 

SamuePs name is borne upon our first records, being a subscriber 
for the first meeting house in 1692, and was taxed on the precinct 
tax bill in 1693, where his tax was higher than that of any other 
citizen, showing that he was a man of large landed property. 

At the first organization of the precinct, no man was more promi- 
nent than Samuel Stone, Sen. He was chosen deacon at the organi- 
zation of the ch., was assessor, and was on almost every important 
committee. He d. Sept. 27, 1715, aged 80 years and 7 months. 
His first wife, Sarah, d. Oct. 4, 1700, and he m. second, Abigail 
, who d. in Wo., 1728, aged 71. 



\Samuel, b. Oct. 1, 1656 ; m. Dorcas Jones of Concord. 

Sarah, b. Feb. 5, 1660 ; m. Edward Converse of Woburn, where 

she was living 1709. 
\John, b. May 12, 1663 ; m. Rachel Shepard of Concord. 
Lydia, b. Nov. 25, 1665 ; m. Francis Bowman. 
jjoscph, b. 1671; ra. Sarah Wait. ? 
Amia, b. June 30, 1673 ; m. it is supposed, John Merry. 



David Stone m. Dec. 
of any connected record, 
genealogy of this family. 

Sarah, b. March 6, 1676. 



31, 1674, Sarah Hildreth. In the absence 
I shall not attempt to give any connected 
He probably d. Sept. 21, 1679. 

21 Elizabeth, b. Jan. 6, 1679. 



Daniel Stone m. Sarah . The following is all that can be 

gleaned of this family from the Lex. Records. Daniel Stone was a 
subscriber for the meeting house In 1692, and was taxed in the pre- 
cinct the year following. I find no record of the birth of his chil- 
dren. In 1700, Gregory Stone, Lydia Stone, and Susanna Stone, 
children of Daniel Stone, were baptized. With this meagre record, 
we dismiss the family, observing that there is a marked difference 
between the Stones denominated East and those denominated West ; 
the former kept up a good record in the town and church, while the 
latter did not. 



John Stone m. Mary . Of this family but little appears of 

record. John Stone West, was a subscriber for the meeting house in 
1692, and his name appears subsequently in the precinct tax bills. 
His wife was ad. to the ch. June 14, 1699. 

Mary, bap. Nov. 13, 1698. 

Abigail, bap. Nov. 13, 1698 ; m. Jan. 9, 1724, John Cutler. 
Benjamin, bap. Feb. 1702 ; probably m., as we find Mary of Ben- 
jamin Stone, bap. Oct. 13, 1728. 



Samuel Stone m. Hannah . David, his father, in 1699, 

deeded him land on which Samuel's house stood. He subscribed for 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



237 



25 



5-14- 



14-26 

27 
28 
29 
30 
31 

5-16- 



10-32 
33 
34 
35 
36 



5-18- 



18-38 
39 

40 

41 
42 
43 



the first meeting house, designating himself "David's son " The 
records give very little information concerning his family. 

Mart/, bap. Nov. 13, 1698. 



14-26- 



26-44 
45 



Samuel Stone m. June 12, 1679, Dorcas Jones of Concord. 
He was designated Samuel Stone East, to distinijuish him from his 
cousin Samuel, who was called Samuel Stone West. He was one of 
the original members of the church in 1696, and his wife was received 
in 1698, from the church in Concord. He d. June 17, 1743, aged 
87; she d.^Sept. 24, 1746, aged 87. He was- chosen deacon ofUie 
eh. Nov. 1715, to fill the vacancy in that office occasioned by the 
death of his father. He was selectman, 1714, '15, '23. 

\ Samuel, b. Aug. 12, 1684; m. Abigail Reed of Woburn. 

\JosepK b. Feb. 8, 1687 ; m. Mary . 

\ Jonathan, b. Feb. 2, 1689; m. Chary Adams. 

Sarah, b. ; m. Thomas Cutler. 

Elizabeth, b. 1693; m. March 18, 1710, John Lawrence. 
Rebecca, b. 1696 ; m. Benjamin Heed. 



John Stone m. April 27, 1687, Rachel Shepard of Con. He 
was a subscriber for the first meeting house, and to distinguish him 
from his cousin, and to show that he was on the high road of military 
promotion, he was designated corporal. They were admitted to the 
church Jan. 18, 1708. He d. Feb. 3, 1713, in his 49th year. 

Rachel, b. 1688; d. Ausr. 31, 1695. 

\John, b. Dec. 15, 1689^ m. April 8, 1714, Mary Reed. 

Mary. b. Sept. 26, 1692; m. John Bowman. 

Anna, b. Nov. 27, 1694; m, Dec. 8, 1718, Josiah Parker, 

Rachel, b. June 6, 1697; m. Jan. 1721, Jonathan Butterfield of 

Cambridge. 
Ruth, b. Aug. 27, 1700. 

Joseph Stone m. Sarah Wait. He d. Jan. 17, 1703, aged 32. 
He was taxed in the preciatt, 1693. 

Lydia, b. about 1693. 

Isaac, b. about 1695; m. July 24, 1722, Elizabeth Brown of Sud- 
bury. He moved to Shrewsbury. 

Joseph, b. about 1697 ; m. Lydia Parkhurst of Weston, and resided 
in Framingham. . „ -r , ^ , 

AUqail, bap. Jan. 1, 1699; m. Jan. 9, lr23, John Cutler. 

Sarah, bap. Nov. 1700 ; m. Nov. 5, 1719, Joseph Blodgett 

Tahitha, bap. Jan. 3, 1703; ra. in Weston, Aug. 26, l/2b, Samuel 
Warren. 



SvMUEL Stone m. April 3, 1706, Abigail Reed of Wo. dau. of 
Dea Geor-'e Reed. June 8, 1718. Samuel Stone and wife were dis- 
missed from the ch. of Lex. to the ch. of Sud., where they then lived ; 
subsequently they removed to Rutland Afterwards they returned 
to Lex^ and were readmitted, Nov. 11, 1/44. He d. Aprd 5, 1/09 ; 
she d. Jan. 16, 1767. 

Abigail, b. April 21, 1707 ; m. April 2, 1724, Micah Stone of Fr.a- 

SaZcfrDec. 8, 1708; ra. Oct. 20, 1732, Mindwell Stevens of 
Rutland, where he settled and bad a family. 



238 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



46 

47 

48 
49 
50 



\Jonas, b. Dec. 3, 1710; he was twice married. 

Elizabeth, b, Dec. 21, 1713; m. Jan. 12, 1731, John Stone, settled 

in Rutland. 
Tabilha, h. Jan. 9, 171G; m. John Noyes of Sudbury. 
Mary, b. March 9, 1718; m. Thomas Bent of Sudbury. 
Susanna, b. April 24, 1/20; m. Elijah Bent of Sudbury. 



14-27- 



27-51 
52 
53 
54 
55 
56 
57 

58 

69 
60 

14-28- 

28-61 
62 
63 

64 

65 

66 
67 
68 
16-33- 



33-69 
70 
71 

72 
73 
74 



26-46- 



JosEPH Stone m. Mary — 
1753. He was selectman, 1743. 



His Will was proved May 21, 



Ephraim, b. Nov. 20, 1710; resided in Stow. 

Mary, }h. June 26, 1714; m. William Keyes of Harvard. 

Joseph, \ b. June 26, 1714; r. in Brookfield. 

Abigail, b. Sept. 2G, 1716; m. Josiah Shattuck of Cambridge. 

\Samuel, b. Aug. 13, 1718; m. Jane . 

Sarah, b. Feb. 29, 1720; m. Dea. Jonas Stone as his second wife. 
James, b. Aug. 7, 1722 ; resided in Weston, dismissed to that church 

1749. 
Elizabeth, b. Feb. 7, 1724 ; m. Jan. 15, 1752, Benjamin Sampson of 

Leominster. 
Dorcas, b. April 11, 1725; m. Benjamin Stone of Harvard. 
Bartholomeio, b. June 19, 1727 ; d. young. 



Jonathan Stone m. Nov. 17, 1712, Chary Adams of Concord. 

Margaret, b. Oct. 25, 1713; d. Dec. 30, 1713. 

Dorcas, b. March 25, 1715; m. Nov. 13, 1733, Joseph Wellington. 

Margaret, b. Sept. 15, 1718; m. March 13, 1735, Thomas Welling- 
ton, jr. 

Rebecca, ) b. Jan. 7, 1723 ; m. Timothy Wellington. 

Love, \ b. J^n. 7, 1723 ; m. June 11, 1747, Samuel Whittemore of 
Cambridge. 

Jonathan, bap. March 14, 1725; m. 1747, Martha Cutler of West 
Cambridge. 

Samuel, b. June 10, 1727 ; m. first, Martha Earle of Boston, second, 
Mrs. Eunice Underwood of Lexington. 

Josiah, b. Nov. 10, 1729 ; m. Abigail . 



John Stone m. April 8, 1714, Mary Reed, dau. of Capt. William 
Reed. He d. Aug. 7, 1762, aged 73, and she d. Oct. 16, 1772, aged 
78. In his Will, dated Nov. 11, 1756, he gave £5 to the church, 
of which he was deacon. He was selectman 1734, and for eight 
subsequent years, and assessor 1746. 

John, b. July 11, 1715; d. March 22, 1736, aged 21 years. 

Mary, b. Feb. 26, 1717 ; she was insane. 

^»ma, b. Nov. 22, 1718; m. July 28, 1737, Robert Munroe, who 

was killed on the Common, April 19, 1775. 
Nathan, b. Sept. 21, 1723 ; d. July 13, 1740, aged 16 years. 
Ruth, b. July 5, 1725; d. July 19, 1740, aged 15 years. 
Lydia, b. Sept. 20, 1729 ; m. June 6, 1751, Nathaniel Mulliken, 

who d. Nov. 23, 1767, aged 46, and she m. Jonathan Harrington. 

She d. Nov. 13, 1785. 



Jonas Stone m. Elizabeth Adams. He moved to Rutland, where 
his wife d. April 3, 1751, when he returned to Lexington, where he 
m. May 12, 1752, his cousin, Sarah Stone, dau. of Joseph. He d. 
Oct. 29, 1790, aged 80, and she d, Nov. 4, 1780, aged 61. He was 
selectman thirteen years, assessor nine years, and treasurer from 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



239 



46-75 
76 

11 
78 
79 
80 

27-55- 



46-77- 



77-81 
82 



83 



1755 to 1778; was on the committee of correspondence in 1773 and 
177G, was representative from 1771 to 1777, delegate to the first 
and second Provincial Congresses in 1774 and 1775. 

Elizabeth, b. 1733; d. Dec. 27, 17.52. 

Deborah, b. 173G ; m. April 13, 1753, Samuel Bass of Boston. 

\Jonas, b. 1741; ra. June 12, 175G. Sarah Buckman. 

Lucy, b, 1743; m. Jan. 17, 1765, Joseph Smith, 

Hannah, h. 1746 ; m. June 29, 1769, Thomas Barrett of Concord 

Zerviah, b. 1749 ; d. Dec. 27, 1752. 



Samuel Stone ra. Jane , who d. 1786, aged 66, and he d. in 

Lex. March 31, 1768. They had two children recorded, Elizabeth, 
b. June 5, 1743; Buth,h. Nov. 26, 1744, m. July 21, 1768, John 
Buckman, jr. 



Jonas Stone m. June 12, 1766, Sarah Buckman. He d. April 
24, 1814, aged 73, and she d. Sept. 24, 1825, aged 78. He was a 
member of Capt. Parker's company in 1775. 

Sarah, b. Dec. 1767. 

Samuel, b. Dec. 27, 1769; m. Sally Child. He d. Oct. 11, 1824, 
and she d. Oct. 9, 1824. They were both buried in the same 
grave, the same day. They had Samuel, b, March 27, 1794, who 
m. Mary Spaulding. 

Elizabeth, b. Nov. 13, 1770. 



The Stones of Lexington seemed to disappear rather suddenly, 
and to have left a record so imperfect, that it is impossible to state 
their genealogy, or the place to which they removed. It would be 
injustice, however, not to mention the generous act of one of that 
name, whose family we are unable to trace. At a town meeting in 
Lex. held June 15, 1761, "I\lr. Isaac Stone came into said meeting 
and gave the Town a Bell for the Town's use forever ; which Bell 
was there, and weighed four hundred sixty-three pounds, for which 
the Moderator in the name of the Town returned him thanks." 



1- 



THE STOWE FAMILY. 

William Stowe was born in New Haven, Conn, and m. Emeline 
Thomas of that place. Like many other young men, he was thrown 
in early life upon his own resources. He entered the army and 
served several years, mostly upon the frontier. After his discharge, 
he returned to his native place, and by his own personal elforts quali- 
fied himself to enter the Newton Theological School. When he left 
that institution, he commenced preaching as a Baptist clergyman m 
Charlestown, Mass. After laboring there about eight years, he went 
to Martha's Vineyard. He subsequently united with the Episcopa- 
lians and settled at Bristol, R. L After a ministry of six or seven 
vears he received a call at Port Huron, Mich., which he accepted, 
'and where he still remains. Though in a great degree self-taught, 
he has become quite a proficient in some departments of science and 
literature. He has had eight children, two of whom d. young. 

2 Rev William T. Stowe, his oldest son, was b Aug. 30, 1841 

He qualified himself by his own efforts to enter the aw school at 

AlbaTv from which he' graduated, and was admitted to the bar nj 

diat Sv i" '860. Having a desire to enter the ministry, he turned 

h L at ention to the Gospel rather than to the law. and commenced 



240 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



2- 3 
4 
5 



preaching under the auspices of the Universalists. In 1862, he was 
settled in Brattleboro', Vt., where he remained till he came to Lex. 
in 1864. Since that time he has preached for the United Societies in 
the East Village. He m. June 7, 1861, Maria Hartness, dau. of 
John Hartness of Albany. 

William H., b. in Brat. March 28, 1862. 
Mary Blasdel, b. in Lex. June 11, 1865. 
John, b, in Lex. July 25, 1867. 



SUMNER. — William Sxjmner, son of Roger of England, came 
to this country about 1635, with his wife Mary, by whom he had a 
family in Dorchester. William, one of his sons, m. Elizabeth Cle- 
ment, and had among other children, Clement, b. Sept. 6, 1671, who 
m. May 18, 1698, Margaret Harris, and had Benjamin, b. May 28, 

1711, who m. Mercy . He d, July 21, 1795. His wife d. Feb. 

22, 1768. James, a son of Benjamin and Mercy, was b. 1740, and 

d. 1814. He m. first, Alice Waldron, second, Byles, and 

third, Hannah Ridgeway. By his wife Alice he had James, b. 1763, 
who m. Elizabeth Foster of Beverly, and d. Oct. 23, 1814. James 
and Elizabeth had a son, James, b. May 4, 1788, and d. April, 1849. 
He m. Sarah Badger of Boston. They had six children b. in Bos- 
ton, where their ancestors for several generations had resided, viz., 
James D., b. 1816 ; Elizabeth, b. March, 1818, ra. Charles Southack ; 
Sarah Ann, b. Jan. 27, 1820, m. May 9, 1839, Charles Brown of 
Lex. ; Mary B., b. 1822, m. John Tilton ; Catharine, b. — , d. young. 

James Dudley Sumner, the eldest child of James, was b. May 
14, 1816, and m. Feb. 13, 1840, Sarah Maria Johnson, b. April 22, 
1816. They r. in Lex. and have had Maria Carlton, b. Dec. 17, 
1842, d. April 13, 1856, and James Frank, b. Aug. 18, 1857. 



THORNING.— In December, 1781, Thomas Cutler, in conformity 
to the law then existing, gave notice to the selectmen, that he had 
taken into his house to reside John TJiorning and wife, and their 
dau. Sarah, with Eunice Philips, also William llwrning ; and that 
they came from Lincoln. John Thorning by his wife Betsey had, 
in addition to Sarah, Frederick A., b. Dec. 27, 1790. William 
Thorning, who came to Lex. with John, m. June 18, 1782, Eunice 
Phillips, who came to Lex. with John, and had a large family. They 
resided on Wood street, in the house now occupied by Mr. Medill. 
He d. March 23, 1829, aged 72; she d. Feb. 10, 1849, aged 93. 
His children were William, b. March 21, 1783 ; Abigail, b. April 
26, 1784 ; John, b. June 29, 1785 ; Eunice, b. Jan. 28, 1787 ; Sally, 
b. Dec. 29, 1788, d. Aug. 27, 1846, aged 57, unm. ; Polly, b. Nov. 2, 
1790, m. Sept. 10, 1823, Leonard Wood of Wo. ; Dorcas, b. June 
14, 1792, m. Aug. 25, 1821, William Child of Groton ; Isaac, b. 
June 7, 1794; Cyriis, b. June 18, 1796; Leonard, b. Aug. 8, 1799, 
m. May 17, 1827, Almira Whitney. 



THE TIDD FAMILY. 

There is some obscurity in the early history of the Tidds in 
this country. 

John Tidd, the original ancestor of the family, it is probable, 
came over and settled in Charlestown in 1637. He moved to 



1- 2 



2- 3 
4 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 241 

Woburn in 1640, and d. Auc;. 3, 1643. His name was spoiled 
lead, and sonietnnes Teed, which was the common spelling j,, the 
early Lexington records. Most if not all his children were born 
abroad. His Will, dated Jan. 4, 1642, and proved Sept. ,''), 1613, 
mentions sons John and Joseph, and dan. Mary, who probalily m.' 
Francis Kendall, and three grand-children, the youngest chifdren 
of Ebenezer, deceased. His son John came to Lex., and is the 
ancestor of the Tidds of this town. 

John Tidd, b. 1625, and m. in Wo. April 14, 16o0, Rebecca 
Wood of that town. She d. Jan. 10, 1717, aged 92. He moved to 
Camb. Farms, 1686, and settled upon the farm where Mr. Charles 
Tidd now resides. He appears to have been somewhat extensively 
engaged in dealing in real estate. He became one of the proprietors 
of Cainb., for in the division of the land in 1683 above tlie "eight 
mile line," John Tidd received his distributive share. He also pur- 
chased lands of David Mackgeney, William Carly, David Fiske, and 
others. The homestead appears to have been bought of David 
Fiske, and conveyed by deed dated June 1, 1686. It was a lot of 
forty acres. Here the first house for the Tidds was probably erected, 
and the property remains in the hands of the lineal descendants at the 
present day,— a period of more than one hundred and eighty years. 

On our earliest records, viz., a subscription for building a meet- 
ing house, in 1692, we find the name of John Tidd, or Teed, as the 
name was frequently spelt, and also the names of his sons Joseph 
and Samuel; and on the tax bill for 1693, we find the names of John 
and his sons Joseph, Samuel, and Daniel. The same year John 
Tidd was chosen one of the assessors, and one of a committee to 
purchase of the town of Cambridge a tract of land for the support of 
the ministry. He d. April 12, 1703, aged 78. His Will, dated Aug. 
7, 1701, and proved May 31, 1703, gives a general view of his 
descendants. He gives a considerable portion of his property to his 
son John, with a provision that he shall pay a certain sum to Daniel 
and Mary Tidd, the children of his son Daniel, deceased. He gives 
twenty shillings to each of his four oldest grand-sons (not including 
Daniel mentioned above), viz., Joseph Smith, John Tidd, Thomas 
Blodgett, and Joseph Simonds. He also makes a bequest to his four 
oldes't grand-daughters, viz., Elizabeth Tidd, Rebecca Simonds, 
Hannah Smith, and Rebecca Blodgett. His children were all born 
in Woburn. 

Hannah, b. Sept 21, 1652; m. Dec. 1, 1674, Joseph Smith of Wat. 

John b. Feb. 26, 1654; m. about 1678, Elizabeth , by whom he 

had between 1679 and 1691 five children, Elizabeth, John, Joseph, 
Rebecca, and Mary. None of them probably ever came to Lex. 

to reside. , rr • * 

Mam b Nov. 13, 1656 ; m. Joshua Simonds of Lexington. _ 

Samuel,'h. June 16, 1659; d. May 9, 1699, unm. His heirs signed 
an agreement about his property, by which it appears that his 
brotlfers, John and Joseph, and his sisters, Hannah Smith, Mary 
Simonds, and Rebecca Blodgett, were living at his decease ; that 
his brother Daniel died before him, leaving two children, Daniel 
and Mary, and their mother, Lydia. Samuel Tidd was in the lU- 
fated expedition to Canada, in 1690. 

'^Joseph, b. Jan. 20. 1660; d D^^. 2b 1730. 

They subsequently removed to Lex. and were the ancestors ot 
most of the ilodgetts which have ever resided m the town. 



242 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



2-7- 



7-10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 

2-8- 



8-16 
17 

7-11- 



11-18 
19 



20 



Joseph Tidd m. Mary , who d. Jan. 23, 1694, aged 23. 

Their child d. Jan, 23, 1696. He m. second, Mary , who d. Jan. 

9, 1718, aged 32. - By her he had at least six children ; of the birth of 

some of them we find no record. He m. third, Mary . He d. 

Dec. 26, 1730, and she d. Jan. 4, 1731. Tradition says they both d. 
of the small pox. He was a man of handsome property for that day. 
His son Joseph administered upon his estate, which was inventoried 
at £ 967, 105. 6d, his real estate being £809 of that sum. He was 
constable in 1699, was appointed on several important committees, 
and was one of the selectmen in 1714. 



A child, b. 



d. Feb. 3, 1703. 



\Joseph, bap. May, 1707 ; d. Sept. 2, 1772. 

Samuel, h. May 29, 1709; settled in Western (now Warren). 

Sarah, b. Nov. 19, 1711 ; m. John Bridge, and d. March 14, 1754. 

Betty, b. May 29, 1714; m. Gershom Flagg of Woburn. 

Mary, b. ; m. David Cutler of Lex. 



Daniel Tidd m. Dec. 4, 1694, Lydia Carter of Camb. He was 
residing in Lex., and was upon the tax bill in 1694, '95, '96, but d. 
on the 29th of Feb. of the last year, leaving a widow, who d. Aug. 
15, 1727, aged 55. 

\Daniel, b. about 1695; m. Hepzibah Reed. 
Mary, b. about 1697. 



Joseph Tidd m. July 31, 1731, Dorothy Stickney. He d. Sept. 
2, 1772, aged 66, and she d. 1790, aged 78. They were ad. to 
the ch. in Lex. Aug. 1, 1756. He resided upon the old home- 
stead. He was a large owner of real estate, having lands not only 
in Lex. but in New Braintree, Woburn, Templeton, and Phillipston. 
His VV^ill, dated Oct. 4, 1770, and proved Dec. 15, 1772, mentions 
wife Dorothy, sons Benjamin, John, Joseph, and Ebenezer, and 
dau. Mary Jennison and Sarah Joslin. He made Benjamin and 
John executors of his Will, and gave them the greater part of his 
property, — they to pay out certain legacies and provide for their 
mother. The provisions of his Will in relation to the support of his 
wid. cast some light upon the manners, customs, and mode of living 
at that day, and hence we will give a few items. After mentioning 
a certain portion of the house which she should occupy, it is provided 
that John and Benjamin shall furnish her annually six cords of wood, 
cut fit for the fire, attliey/o?i^ door of the house, two barrels of cider, 
one bushel of malt, six bushels of Indian meal or corn, six bushels of 
rye, one hundred pounds of pork, seventy pounds of beef, four pounds 
of good wool, ten pounds of flax, &c. He was selectman, 1761, 
'66, '67. 

Mary, b. Jan. 7, 1732; m. Feb. 12, 1756, Josiah Jennison of Lex. 

Joseph, b. May 11, 1734; m. Dec. 7, 1762, Sarah Munroe, dau. of 
William and Sarah (Mason) Munroe. He moved to New Brain- 
tree, where he was a lieutenant, when that title implied more than 
it does at present. 

Ebenezer, b. Aug. 16, 1737 ; he moved to New Braintree in 1768, 
where he resided. Among his children was Ebenezer, who was a 
prominent man in his day. He was a captain of a company of 
cavalry, served many years as selectman, and filled other town 
offices. His son, Hollis Tidd (grand-son of Ebenezer of Lex.), 
has for many years been a leading citizen in that small but very 
intelligent town. He was an aide to Geu. Crawford, served on the 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



243 



21 

22 
23 



8-lG- 



lG-24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 

11-22- 



school committee more than thirty years, as one of the selectmen 
and as one of the assessors some fifteen or sixteen years each, 
represented the town in the legislature two years, and has for 
many years held the office of justice of the peace. 

Sarah, b. March 8, 1739 ; m. Nov. 23, 1763, Samuel Joslin of New 
Braintree. 

\Benjamin, b. June 21, 1742; m. Joanna Fitch of Bedford. 

\John, b. Oct. 26, 1749 ; m. Elizabeth Reed. 



Daniel Tidd m. April 19, 1742, Hepzibah Reed, dau. of Capt. 
William and Abigail (Kendall) Reed. He d. Jan. 16, 1776, aged 
81 ; she d. April 11, 1777, aged 72. He was on the board of select- 
men nine years, on the board of assessors ten years, and town clerk 
nine years. 

A son, b. Jan. 22; d. Jan. 24, 1725. 

Daniel, b. Feb. 26, 1726; d. Jan. 31, 1759. 

\Ainos, b. Jan. 12, 1729; m. Elizabeth Smith. 

Hepzibah, b. Aug. 22, 1730; d. Apiil 11, 1777. 

Lydia, b. July 6, 1732 ; m. Feb. 16, 1775, Samuel Hastings. 

John, b. Sept. 13, 1734; d. Nov. 27, 1743. 

\WiUlam, b. July 11, 1736; m. Jan. 9, 1766, Ruth Munroe. 

Ahicjail, b. Jan. 12, 1738; m, Dec. 4. 1760, Amos Marrett of Camb. 

'rSamuel, b. Jan. 12, 1741; m. Feb. 28, 1771, Rebecca Simonds. 

Betty, b. Oct. 24, 1742; m. July 15, 1766, Uriah Cotting of Walt. 



22-34 
36 

11-23- 



Benjamin Tidd m. Jan. 6, 1774, Joanna Fitch. They were ad. 
to the ch. Oct. 13, 1776, and were dismissed to the ch. at New Brain- 
tree, Oct. 24, 1790, to which place they had removed, and where 
land was left him by his father's Will. Several of his fiimily had 
already located themselves in that town, where their descendants are 
at the present day. Benjamin Tidd remained in Lexington till after 
the close of the Revolutionary struggle, and like most of the citizens 
of the town, was enrolled in that patriotic band commanded by Par- 
ker He was on the Common on the I9th of April, and marched to 
Cambridge on the memorable 17th of June, 1775 ; and served at 
Dorchester the year following. He was one of the committee of 
correspondence in 1780. The three children mentioned below were 
baptized in Lex. They probably removed with their parents to New 
Braintree, where other children may have been added to the lamily. 

Benjamin, bap. Nov. 10, 1776. 
Lydia, bap. Sept, 16, 1781. 



35 Sarah, bap. Sept. 20, 1778. 



23-37 
38 
39 



John Tidd m. Elizabeth, dau. of Isaac and Elizabeth Reed of 
Wo She d. Sept. 18, 1799, and he m. 1802, Susannah I.dd of 
Rin 1-e N. H. She d. Sept. 12, 1824, aged 68. He d. March '9, 
1812 a.'ed 63. John and'Elizabeth Tidd were ad. to the ch. M.ay 
ig 1791 when three of their children were baptized. John fidd 
was a member of Capt. Parker's company, and was upon the Corn- 
was ''^''T'J'l ■ J of the American Revolution. He was 

'"''" fSlasfto leave the ground, and was pursued by a British 
among the I'lst to eaye tne g , _ ^^^^ ^^^^.^^ j^^ ^^^ 

Ltr; n^r tttr^utdrthe^BHtish Ued him of his arms, and 

left him for dead. 

t/»J», b. March 2, 1779 ; m- E-'tbcr Hayward of Acton. 
TK M.Tch'l"?7b5 ; Sled VbIoh a, a .erchant, a„d d. 
■" M ;ch-2" 1835 Ved SO. He m. Martha F. Adam.. 



244 



HISTOEY OF LEXINGTON. 



16-26- 



26-40 
42 
44 
46 

16-30- 



30-47 



16-32- 



32-48 
49 

23-37- 



37-50 
51 



52 
63 



37-52- 



Amos Tidd m. Elizabeth Smith, dau. of Hezekiah and Elizabeth 
(Wellington) Smith, who was b. July 9, 1728. They were m. 1750. 



Amos, bap. Dec. 1, 1751. 
Nathan, bap. Aug. 1, 1755. 
Daniel, bap. Feb. 10, 1760. 
Thaddeus, bap. Oct. 30, 1768. 



41 John, bap. July 15, 1753. 
43 Oliver, bap. March 28, 1758. 
45 Abijah, bap. Sept. 4, 1763. 



William Tidd m. Jan. 9, 1766, Ruth Munroe, dau. of Robert 
and Anna Munroe. They were ad. to the ch. Dec. 28, 1766. He 
was a lieutenant under Capt. Parker, in the company which dared 
to stand on their own pjirade ground in the face of ten times their 
number of British regulars, though commanded to throw down their 
arms and disperse. In affidavit taken in 1824, after describing the 
fire of the British on that morning, he says, " I then retreated up 
the north road, (Hancock street,) and was pursued by an officer on 
horseback (supposed to be Maj. PItcairn) calling out to me, ' Damn 
you, stop or you are a dead man.' I found I could not escape him, 
unless I left the road. I therefore sprang over a pair of bars, and 
made a stand, and discharged my gun at him ; upon which he imme- 
diately returned to the main body, which shortly after took up their 
march for Concord." 

Lieut. Tidd was also one of a detachment of Parker's company 
which m.arched to Cambridge on the 17th of June, at the time of the 
battle of Bunker Hill, where they remained two days, when they 
were dismissed. But his public service was not confined to the 
military alone. He filled various civil offices in town, being an 
assessor in 1776, '79, '80, '91, and one of the selectmen at the time 
of the Revolution, when great responsibility rested upon that board. 
He d. Oct. 25, 1826, aged 91. Ruth, his wife, d. May 14, 1839, at 
the advanced age of 97. 



Buth, bap. Jan. 11, 1767 ; m. Oct. 4, 1785, Nathan Chandler, 
was an only child, and d. Sept. 15, 1846, aged 80. 



She 



Samuel Tidd m. Feb. 28, 1771, Rebecca Simonds of Bedford. 
Like his brother William he took part In the events of the 19th of 
April and the 17th of June, 1775. They were ad. to the ch. Sept. 
29, 1771. In 1805, they were dismissed to the ch. of Bedford. He 
afterwards returned to Lexington. He was one of the committee 
of safety and correspondence in 1781. 

Beify, bap. Jan. 5, 1772; m. 1821, Noah Stearns. 
Bebecca, bap. Feb. 2, 1777. 



John Tidd m, Esther Hay ward of Acton. They were ad. to the 
ch. May 6, 1810, when two of their children were baptized. He d. 
Jan. 9, 1842, and she d. April 24, 1852. 

Elizabeth, h. June 2, 1800; d. Aug. 26, 1801. 

Elizabeth, b. Oct. 26, 1801 ; m. George P. Elliot of Lowell, by 

whom she had three children. George Henry, one of them, was 

graduated at West Point, entered the service of the United States 

as a lieutenant. She d. Jan. 19, 1835. 
\ Charles, b. Jan. 6, 1807. He has been twice married. 
Manj H., b. July 22, 1812; m. Daniel T. Watson, and moved to 

Franklin, N. H, She d. Aug. 30, 1864, at Miller's Farm, Penn. 



Charles Tidd m. June 7, 1830, Rebecca M. Nurse of Water- 
ford, Me. She d. Jan. 1817, and he m. second, Jan. 6, 1848, 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



245 



52-54 
55 
6G 



57 



Rebecca W. B. Trask. widow of Rev. William G. Trask of Taunton, 
and dau. of Col. Daniel Brooks of Lincoln. Mr. Tidd was town 
clerk from 1832 to 1838. He has taken an active part in the cause 
of education, has served many years on the school connnittee, and 
has been en;^aged as a teacher of youth more than thirty years, the 
last twenty-five of which were in Lexington, lie resides upon the 
old liomestead, in a house a part of which must have stood at least 
one hundred and seventy-five years, and was erected, not by hia 
great-grandfather, as stated by mistake in page •133, but by the 
grandfather of his great-grandfather. 

Charles Eustis, b. March 24, 1831 ; d. Aug. 25, 1833. 

Jacob Henry, b. March 20, 1833; d. Jan. 30, 1851, in California. 

Charles Lowell, b. Feb. 12, 1838 ; m. March 28, 18G6, Ellen A. 

Gooking of Portsmouth, N. H. lie served nine months as a vol- 

imteer in the late war. 
Esther Mary, b. April 26, 1841. 



TOWER. — This name appears early in New England. John 
Tower was in Ilingham in 1637, and came from Hingham, Eng. He 
m. Margaret Ibrook, and had at least three sons. He was engaged 
in settling Lancaster, and some of his descendants may have located 
in that town. At any rate we find the Towers somewhat numerous 
in the western portion of Middlesex county, and in the northern por- 
tion of Worcester. 

William A. Tower, son of Oren and Harriet Tower, was b. in 
Petersham, Feb. 26, 1»25, and m. April 29, 1847, Julia Uavis, dau. 
of Austin and Sally Davis of Lancaster. He came to Lex. in Oct. 
1855. He is engaged in business in Boston. He represented the 
Lexington District in the General Court in 1863. They have four 
children, Ellen M., b. in Lancaster, Feb. 28, 1848; Charlotte O., b. 
in Camb. Feb. 12, 1851; Augustus C, b. in Camb. July 3, 1853; 
Bichard 0., b. in Lex. Oct. 11, 1857. 



1- 2 

3 
4 
6 



THE TRASK FAMILY. 

About 1715, a family by the name of Trask came to Lex. and 
loc'ited themselves on the northwesterly side of the meadow, beyond 
Captain Reed's, near the line of Bedford. The place from whence 
thev came is not certainly known; but as the first of that name 
settled in Salem and Beverly, it is presumed that the family in Lex- 
in'-'ton are of the same stock. 

Nathaniel Tkask and his wife, Anna, had a dau. here as early 
as 1716 ; and he was chosen a highway surveyor in 1/20. He was 
n so one of the assessors in 1726, '39, and '40. He was a man of 
considerable property, standing on the tax bill for 1729 the tenth in 
no n tof amoLt^ He d. Aug. 4. 1753, aged o9, and b-nce mu 
have come to Lex. when he was a young man She was living in 

ex and was taxed in 1779. His property at his death was mvcn- 
^nrfed at £7 596. He had two hundred acres of land, and was a pro- 
prTe^tor n Narra^^^^^ Township No 6, now Templeton. Irom 
K; ii^perfect record of the family_we glean the following. 

Anna, b. May 20, 1716; m. Joseph Hill of Billerica. 
\John, b. Feb. 8, 1717 ; was of Wo. in 17o4. 
^S^;i;t^^\l 1723; d. at Epping.N.H.. 1789. 
89 



246 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1-3- 



3-10 
11 

12 
14 
15 
16 
17 



1-5- 



1-9- 



9-18 
19 

3-14- 



3-15- 

3-16- 
9-19- 



Elizabeih, b. April 21, 1725; m. 1751, James Robinson. 

Lydia, b. Nov. 27, 1730; m. Xov. 6, 1760, William Morris of 

Brentwood. 
Hannah, h. March 28, 1733; m. Samuel Stearns of Billerica. 
fJunatkan. h. Dec. 12, 1735; d, April 10, 1768, aged 33. 

John Tijask ni. Mary Green, b. Jan. 6, 1723. She was from 
Conn., and was sister to Ilenr ' Harrini;ton's second wile. He lived 
at one time in Wo., and d. Nov. 20, 1786, aged 69. 

Marij, b. Nov. 7. 1742. 

Isaac, h. Jan. 3, 1744 : m. April 6, 1767, Elizabeth Humble. He was 

a soldier in the French War. 
John, b. Feb. 28, 1746. 13 Sarali, b. April 3, 1748. 

\Joseph, b. June 28, 1751 ; m. Eunice Tufts. 
\ Nathaniel, b. about 1753; ra. Nancy Reed. 
\Elijah, b. about 1755 ; m. Sept. 8, 1793, Sally Benney. 
Lucy, b. about 1758 ; m. May 20, 1786, Daniel Bemis of Boston, to 

which place they moved. 



Nathaniel Tuask was grad. H. C. 1742, studied theology, and 
was settled at Keesboro\ now Epping, N. H., 1747. He was dis- 
missed from the Le.\. ch. to Keesboro' ; and to show their respect for 
him, Capt. William Reed, Capt. Benjamin Reed, and Mr. Jonathan 
Lawrence, three of his old neighbors, were sent as delegates to his 
ordination. He d. 1789, aged 66. 



Jonathan Trask m, Chloe . He d. April 10, 1768, aged 

33, and she m. April 16, 1781, Robert Harrington. She was ad. to 
the ch. 1775, when the two children mentioned below were baptized. 

Lydia, b. 1767. 

] Jonathan, b. 1768; m. Ruth Wood of Woburn. 



Joseph Trask m. March 26, 1776, Eunice Tufts of Med. He 
resided at first in Lex., but afterwards moved to Billerica, where he 
died. They had Nathan, Katharine, Eunice Tufts, Joseph, and per- 
haps other children. Joseph went South, where he died. 

Nathaniel Trask m. Nov. 14, 1780, Nancy Reed, dau. of 
Swethern Reed of Bur. He resided first in Lex., then in Charles- 
town, where he d. He had Nathaniel, Nancy, and Lydia. Na- 
thaniel had the misfortune to lose one of his hands in a mill. She d. 
July 20, 1789. 



Elijah Trask m. Sept. 8, 1793, Sally Benney. They moved to 
Boston, where he died at an advanced age. 



Jonathan Trask m. Sept. 8, 1790, Ruth Wood of Wo. The 
records furnish no information concerning their family. Tradition 
furnishes a few facts. They had children as follows: Jonathan; 
Charles, went to Charlestown ; Chloe, m. David Fiske ; Ruth, d. 
unm. ; Josiah, r. in Philadelphia. The records and the Trask family 
seemed to fade out together in Lexington. 



TUCKER.— Joseph Tucker of Milton m. Mary Dana of Pom- 
fret, Conn. Joseph, son of Joseph and Mary, b. about 1758, m. 
Sarah Hill of Stoughton. He d. 1819, aged 61 ; she d. May, 1828, 
aged 73. They had five children. Seth, son of Joseph and Sarah, 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



247 



1- 



b. 1786. m. Oct. 13, 1808, Eliza Kent of Concord, N. IL Slio was 
b. April 15, 1790. He d. Dec. 1.5. 1837. a<red .51 ; sl.e d. Muni. 11, 
1818, aged 68. They r. in New Hampshire, and had nine children. 

m. Nov. 27, 
24. 1811. He 
settled in Charlestown, Mass , where he remained till 1812, when ho 
removed to Lexington. He was captain of the artillery co in CMiarles- 
town. He has served in Lex. on the board of overseers ol'the poor, 
and represented the district in the Legislature in 1858. They have 
children. 



Charles K. Tucker, b. in Con. May 11, 1811, 
1886, Nancy S. Poor of Wolfboro', N. IL, b. March 5 



THE TUFTS FAMILY. 

Though tbe Tuftses came into Lex. late, we are able to trace them 
to the original emigrant. Peter Tufts was born in England, 1G17. 
He came to this country about 16o8, and settled in Maiden. He was 
the ancestor of a numerous family of that name settled in Maiden, 
Medford, and other towns. He was a large landholder in several 
towns in the vicinity. He had among other sons, Jalni, b. 1657. who 
m. Mary Putnam Their son Peter, h. 16*J6, m. Lydia Buckman, 
and settled in Milk Row, Charlestown. His son Peter, h. April 21, 
1728, m. April 19, 1750, Anne Adams. They had a family of tea 
children, among whom was the first of the name who came to Lex. 

Thomas Tufts, b. ALay 18, 17G6, m. Nov. 29, 1791. Rebecca 
Adams of Lincoln, b. Feb. 28, 1767. He d. June 10, 18;)0. aged 64. 
She d Feb. 20, 1858, aged 91. He was selectman, 1799 and 1800. 

Thomas, b Dec. 16, 1792. He was drowned in Ky., Oct. 8, 1817. 

Rebecca, b. Aug. 31, 1797; d. Sept. 13, l.s26. 

Marxhall, b. S.'pt. 26, 1802; was grad. H. C. 1827, studied theology 
with Dr. Holmes of Camb. Owing to mental aberration, he never 
officiated any length of time in his calling. He had great peculi- 
arities of character and conduct. He wrote and published several 
small volumes, one of which was, "The Shores of Vespucci." a 
romance 
thoi 
marks 
unfortunate man d. May 17, 1855. tt i • 

Eveline, b. Sept. 16, 1804; m. John Rochester of Logan, Ilockmg 
Co., Ohio, where she resides. 

\Bojven A., b. Jan. 29, 1807. 



mall volumes, one of which was, " ihe Shores ot Vespucci, a 
omance; he also attempted a tran.-lation of the Iliad, whit h, 
bough following pretty closely the translation of Pope, bore strong 
larks of the state of his mind, wandering on poetic leet. Ihe 



1-6- 



6- 



9 

10 
11 
12 

13 
14 
15 
16 
17 



BowEN A. Tufts m. Jan. 1. 1831, Sarah Ann Mead, dan. of 
Stephen Mead of Waltham. He lived upon his father's homestead, 
near the junction of Weston street and Concord avenue. He d. 

Miiy 28, 1867, aged 60. 

Bowen Russell, b. Dec. 20 1831 ; d Dec. 29. 183L 
Sarah Eleanor, h. .Nov. 17. l«f-^/- ^l^'V'., f' /^.f,?' 
Bowen Russell, b. April 3, 1834 ; d. March 20 18o6 
Thomas Edward, b. Oct. 16. 1836; d. Nov. U, lbo2. 

Sf&::t:i.a/Sf-1840; m. June 20. 1866. Selwin Z. 

Bowman. 

J^ficr^ A'e/5on, b. March 17, 1842. „- ,0,0 

Ada Elizabeth, b. April 12. 1843; d. Nov. 2., 1843. 

Kale, b. Feb. 10, 184.3 ; d. Dec. 9. lbo2. 

Alicf Ames, b. Feb. 10, 1847. 

iX b bee. 23. 1849; d. Dec. 2. 1852. 



248 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 
3 

4 
6 
6 

7 



THE TURNER FAMILY. 

Humphrey Turnek, the emigrant ancestor of the late Captain 
Turner of Lex., came to this country about 1628, and settled in 
Scituate. He m. Lydia Garner, who was b. in England, where they 
were married. Their son John m. 1645, Mary Brewster. She d. 
and he m. 1649, Ann James. He had nine children. Japheth, their 
oldest child, b. 1650, m. Hannah Hudson. He d. 1699. They had 
four children. Japheth, their third child, b. 1682, m. Hannah Hatch, 
and had four children. Japheth, their first child, m. 1725, Elizabeth 
Morse, and had eight children. Joseph, their fifth child, b. July 23, 
1734, m. Oct. 5, 1756, Mercy French, in Chester, Vt. He is said to 
have held a commission, and died in the French war, 1757. Joshua, 
their only child, b. Dec. 13, 1757, m. Aug. 22, 1781, Lydia Drury 
of Grafton, Mass. He d. Dec. 21, 1820, and she d. March 25, 1849, 
aged 86. They had a family often children. 

Larkin Turner, the oldest child of Joshua and Lvdia, was b. in 
Grafton, Dec. 7, 1781, and m. Sept. 11, 1808, Sally Gould of Read- 
ing, b. March 17, 1791. She d. April 24, 1832, in Charlestown, 
where they resided, and he m. May 23, 1833, Lucy P. Pierce of Lex., 
dau. of Abner and Grace Pierce, b. July 25, 1803. He d. Feb. 2, 
1861, aged 79. Capt. Turner was literally the architect of his own 
fortune. With limited early advantages, he entered upon a sea- 
faring life at the age of sixteen, and passing through all grades, at 
the age of twenty-two he took the command of a vessel fitted out by 
that prince of merchants, William Gray, Esq. During nearly forty 
years he followed the seas, and there were but few parts of the com- 
mercial world to which be had not navigated, with unusual success. 
Though he commenced his career with a very limited education, by 
industry and application he so informed himself, as to be enabled, as 
a merchant and shipmaster, to take a high rank in his calling. By 
his modest and gentlemanly bearing he gained many friends. In 
1831, John Randolph, then minister to Russia, did him the honor to 
make him his confidential agent and friend, — Capt. Turner at that 
time being at the Russian capital. During his voyages he made 
Charlestown the place of his residence, and in 1836 and 1837, he 
represented that town in the legislature. About 1840, he came to 
Lexington, where he spent the remainder of his days. All his chil- 
dren but the last were born in Charlestown. 

Sarah E., b. June 22, 1810; m. Jan. 24, 1832, Isaac W. Smith. 
Thomas L., b. Aug. 17, 1812; m. April 3, 1843, Elizabeth E. 

Whiton ; r. in Boston. 
Li/dia D., b. Feb. 20, 1820; m. Aug. 23, 1838, George I. Browne. 
Helen Oeorgiana, b. July 18, 1826 ; r. in Charlestown. 
Josephine Maria, b. Sept. 6, 1831 ; d. July 26, 1834. 
Harriet Josephine, b. July 18, 1834; m. June 21, 1865, Edward L. 

NicoU of Wheeling, Va. They have one child, b. Aug. 1867. 
Grace Ardelle, b. July 1, 1838 ; m. Dec. 8, 1859, H. B. Sampson. 

They have one child, George Walter, b. March 25, 1865. 
Eugene Drury, b. Dec. 30, 1842 ; d. Nov. 4, 1843. 



THE TUTTLE FAMILY. 

John Tuttle came to this country in the ship Planter, in 1635, 
and settled in Ipswich. He was b. in 1596, and hence was thirty- 
nine years old when he came to this country. He was made free- 



GENEALOGICAL KEGISTER. 



249 



1- 2 

3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 

1-3- 



man in 1639, and was representative in 1644, He d. 1656. He had 
four children when he came to America. Simon, his oldest son b 
1631, m. Sarah Co<iswell of Ipswich, and d. 1692. They had a 
family of eleven children. Charles, their second son, b. ]\Iarch 31 
1679, m. Ann Burnham. Their son, Charles, b. 17U8, m. Ann 
Jewett, and had four children. 

Jedediah Tuttle, son of Charles and Ann, wasb. Nov. 24 1753 
m. Lucia Smith of Leominster, b. Dec. 30, 1755. Her mother was a 
Rogers, said to have been a lineal descendant from John, the martyr. 
He d. Sept. 9, 1833, aged 80 years ; she d. Dec. 17, 1844, aged 
89 years. They settled in Winchendon. He was in the Revoki- 
tionary war; was at the Battle of Bunker Hill and at the takin"- of 
Burgoyne. 

James, b. Aug. 10, 1780; settled in Hopkinton, N. H. 
}David, b. Dec. 2, 1782 ; d. April 10, 1845. 
Jedediah, b. April 18, 1785 ; d. Sept. 15, 1847. 

Frances, b. March 9, 1788 ; m. Dexter. 

Clarissa, b. Nov. 2, 1790; m. Lord. 

Electus, b. Feb. 8, 1793; d. Sept. 1800. 
Silas, b. Nov. 8, 1795 ; d. July, 1798. 
Eli, b. Julvo, 1797; d. 1797. 
Ainsworth,'h. June 1. 1799; d. Sept. 1800. 
Sarah, b. Jan. 5, 1802 ; m. and is living. 



3-12 

13 
14 
15 
16 

17 

18 



19 



3-15- 



David Tuttle m. Jan. 19, 1806, Esther Munroe, dau. of Eben- 
ezer Munroe of Lex. She d. Oct. 14, 1809, aged 26 ; he ni. second, 
Sept. 27, 1810, Abigail, dau. of Thomas and Sarah (Taylor) Smith. 
She d. Dec. 15, 1816, aged 32 years, and he m. third, May 21, 1818, 
Patty Smith, sister of his second wife. She d. Feb. 17, 1833, aged 
40, and he m. Jan. 8, 1835, Hannah Viles. He d. April 10, 1845, 
a"-ed 62 years. He came to Lex. in 1804. 

Esther, h. Aug. 3, 1812; m. 1833, Caleb S. Tuttle; settled in 

Alton, 111. 
Abiqail, b. Aug. 2, 1814; m. Dec. 29, 1835, Jonathan S. Parker. 
^David, b. March 28, and d. April 30, 1819. 
\David Ainsicorth, b. May 28, 1820; m. Susan S. Johnson. 
Oeorqe, b. Nov. 30, 1821 ; m. April 5, 1855, Sarah E. Muzzey. He 

d. Jan. 27, 1856. 
Martha, b. Jan. 30, 1824 ; m. Nov. 26, 1846, Charles Hastings of 

East Cambridge. 
Eliza J., b. April 17, 1830; m. Dec. 25, 1851, Wdliam Macmtosh 

of Lincoln. 
Emily A., b. June 15, 1832. 

David A Tuttle m. Dec. 30, 1846, Susan S. Johnson, dau. of 
Thomas Johnson. He has served several years as selectman. They 
Lve two Sdren. Eenry Eugene, b. May 11, 1849 ; Herbert Ains- 
worth, b. Nov. 14, 1853. . 

THE UNDERWOOD FAMILY. 

There is great difficulty in tracing the genealogy of this family, 
boU befo^^nd after they came to Lexington. They have left a very 
Lcon'pSe record, and it seems that they were rather migratory m 
their habits. 



250 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



2- 3 
4 
6 

7 
8 
9 

2-3- 



3-10 
2-4- 



4-11 



3-10- 



10-17 
19 

20 
21 
22 

4-13- 



13-24 

25 
26 



Thomas Underwood of Hingham was ad. freeman in 1637. He 
represented that town in 1636 and 1638. He afterwards moved to 
Wat., where he was selectman in 1656. His Will, dated Feb. 15, 
1668, and proved April 7, 1668, mentions wife, brother Joseph, and 
several nephews and nieces, and prominently among them Thomas, 
son of his brother Joseph, then living with him. 

Joseph Underwood, brother of Thomas, first settled in Hing- 
ham, but afterwards moved to Wat. and was ad. freeman, 1645. He 
d. prior to 1677. On the files of the court is a paper relating to his 
estate, naming his children, Joseph, Sarah, Hannah, Elizabeth, 
Thomas, and Martha. It is pretty evident that they are not named 
in the order of their birth. 



\Tlwmas, b. 



d. 1680. 



5 Sarah, b. 



\Joseph, b. 1650. 

Mary, b. ; m. May 18, 1670, Isaac Ong. ? 



Martha, b. - 
Hannah, b. - 
Elizabeth, b. 



m. Oct. 14, 1680, John Gibson. 
; m. Sept. 13, 1693, William Bull. 



Thomas Underwood m. Magdalen as her second husband. 

He probably d. soon after his marriage. His Will, dated July 19, 
1679, and proved Oct. 5, 1680, mentions but one child. 



^Thomas, b. 



; m. Nov. 19, 1679, Mary Palmer. 



Joseph Underwood m. Elizabeth . He was ad. freeman 

1690, and d. the year following. His Will, dated Feb. 16, 1691, 
and proved April 7, 1691, mentions wife Elizabeth, sons John, Jo- 
seph, Jonathan, and Joshua, and dau. Mary, Hannah, and Elizabeth. 

John, b. March 6, 1677; m. Nov. 19, 1701, Rebecca Shattuck. 

About 1714 he moved to Charlestown. 
Elizabeth, b. May 8, 1679. 

^Joseph, b. May 28, 1681 ; settled in Lexington. 
Joshua, b. Jan. 31, 1683; settled in Sherborn. 
Sarah, b. Feb. 9, 1687. 16 Hannah, bap. April 13, 1690. 



Thomas Underwood m. Nov. 19, 1679, Mary Palmer. 
June 17, 1691. Probably lived in Cambridge. 



He d. 



Thomas, h. Oct. 20, 1680. 18 Mary, b. June 5, 1682. 

Elizabeth, b. Aug. 13, 1684 ; ra. March 25, 1709, Jonathan Hewes 

of Cambridge. 
jJonathan, b. Aug. 18, 1686 ; m. Nov. 17, 1709, Ruth Holland. 
Abigail, b. March 26, 1688. 
Martha, b. June 20, 1689. 23 Thomas, b. June 3, 1691. 



Joseph Underwood. We find no record of his marriage. He 
was in Lex. 1719, when he was chosen to a subordinate town office. 
He o. c. in 1723, when Joseph, probably their first child, was bap- 
tized. His name is borne upon the first town tax bill extant, 1729. 
He was taxed in Lex 1745, and in 1748 and '49 as a non-resident. 
He probably left town between those periods. 

^Joseph, bap. March 3, 1723. He was twice married. 
\Joshua, bap. June 6, 1725; in. Abigail JStone. 
Elijah, bap. May 5, 1728. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



251 



27 

29 
3U 



10-20- 



20-32 
33 
34 

13-24- 



24-36 
37 

38 
39 
40 
42 

13-25- 

25-43 

24-37- 



37-44 
45 
46 
47 
48 
49 
60 
52 

24-39- 



37-44- 



37-48- 



48-53 
64 



Peter bap. May 25. 1729. 28 RtUh, bap. April 4, 1731 

Israel, bap. June 23, 1734; was in the French War. 1758 and '59 
Moses, bap. Aug. 17, 1735. 31 Susanna, bap. Sept. 2 1739 



Jonathan Underwood m. Nov. 17, 1709, Ruth Holland, and 
sett ed in Lexington. They made their peace with the ch. Sept 2 
1/11, and Ruth, probably their first child, was bap. soon after. 

Rrith, bap. Sept. 23, 1711 ; she united with the ch. Oct. 4, 1728 

Ihomas, bap. Feb. 10, 1712; d. Feb. 16, 1743. 

Sarah, bap. May 23, 1714. 35 Jonathan, bap. Jan. 27, 1717. 



Joseph Underwood m. Feb. 26. 1744. Anna Baker of Waltham. 
She d. May 30, 1749, and he m. June 4, 1750. Eunice Smith, dau. 
of Daniel and Mary Smith. He d. April 25, 1760. She was ad. to 
the ch. July 6, 1760. 

Samuel, b. Nov. 21. 1744. 

\Joseph, b. April 30. 1749 ; m. March 21, 1771, Mary Munroe. 

Eunice, b. Dec. 10. 1751. 

\Nathan, b. Aug. 3, 1753 ; grad. H. C. 1788. 

Bettie, b. Aug. 16, 1755. 41 Anna, b. Mav 22, 1757. 

Sarah, b. March 25. 1759. 



Joshua Underwood m. June 6, 1765, Abigail Stone. 
Daniel, bap. April 24. 1774; ni. Aug. 1, 1798, Mary Mason. 



Joseph Underwood ni. March 21, 1771, Mary Munroe, dau. of 
Marrett and Deliverance (Parker) Munroe. They were ad. to the 
ch. March 22, 1772. He d. Feb. 27, 1829, aged 80; she d. July 
10, 1802. He was a member of Capt. Parker's company, and 
marched with a detachment to Cambridge, May 10, and also June 
17, 1775. 

\Joseph, bap. July 5, 1772 ; m, March 2, 1800, Eusebia Harrington. 

Mary, bap Feb. 27, 1774. 

Anna, bap. April 7, 1776; d. young. 

Polly, bap. Dec. 7, 1777 ; m. March 26, 1798, James Smith. 

\John, bap. March 26, 1780; m. Sarah , 

Nathan, bap. April 14, 1782; d. unm. 

Anna, bap. July 25, 1784. 51 Betsey, bap. Sept. 30, 1787. 

Dorcas, bap. AJpril 15, 1790. 



Nathan Underwood grad. H. C. 1788, studied divinity, and 
was ordained at Harwich, Nov. 21, 1792. He m. Sept. 26, 1793, 
Susanna Lawrence of Waltham. He d. 1841. 



Joseph Underwood m. March 2. 1800, Eusebia Harrington, dau. 
of Daniel and Anna (Munroe) Harrington. No issue. He d. Sept. 
6, 1845, aged 73; she d. Dec. 22, 1859, aged 82. He was select- 
m'an . 1809? 

Tohx Underwood m. Sarah Smith, dau. of Thomas and Sarah 
(TavlJr) Smith, b. Oct. 17. 1783. They were ad. to the ch. July 
5, 1812. He d. Aug. 8, 1855. aged 76; she d. Jan. 2o, 1848, 
aged 64. 



Mary, b. 

Abigail, b. — 
Cambridge. 



d 1814. Napoleon, h. • 

- • m. Nov. 22, 1836, John Fillebrown of West 



252 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



55 
56 

57 
58 
59 



1- 2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 



1-6- 



1-8- 



8-15 

16 
17 

18 
19 
20 
21 



Mary, bap. May 21, 1815. 

Sarah, bap, Sept. 4, 1817; d. young. 

Joseph, bap. Jan. 24, 1819. 

Sarah, bap. July 9, 1820; m. Feb. 9, 1843, John A. Tufts of Camb. 

Nathan, bap. Aug. 17, 1823. 

The Underwoods, with their record, disappear suddenly, leaving 
only a few fragmentary notices of the name upon our books. 



THE VILES FAMILY. 

The Vileses have never been very numerous in Lexington, nor 
were they among the earliest foniilies. They originated in Waltham, 
then a part of Watertown, where they were as early as 1729, and 
perhaps earlier. 

John Viles m. July 2, 1731, Susanna Bemis. He d. Feb. 4, 
1774; she d. Nov. 28, 1785. They were both quite advanced in 
age. They had a family of thirteen children. 

Abigail, b. Oct. 26, 1731 ; m. Dec. 1752, Jonas Barnard of Wat. 
John, b. March 16, 1733 ; d. young. 

Susan, b. Nov. 17, 1734 ; m. Call. 

Dinah, b. June 10, 1738 ; m. April 9, 1761, John Watson. 

^Nathan, b, Dec. 30. 1739; m. Oct. 14, i7s4, Mrs. Sarah Hagar. 

Kezia, b. Dec. 10, 1741 ; m. Jan. 16, 1770, John Watson of Read. 

t'/oeZ, b. Dec. 14, 1743; m. June 27, 1775, Mary Bowman. 

Jonas, b. July 3, 1746 ; he was twice married. 

Sarah, b. July 3, 1748 ; m. Jan. 24, 1768, Jonathan Dix, 

Johji, b. June 12, 1750; m. Nov. 1, 1775, Hannah Wan-en. She d. 

April 5, 1784, aged 30, and he m. Aug. 26, 1784, Mary Warren 

ol Weston, where he resided. 
David, b. Nov. 7, 1752; d. Nov. 11, 1754. 
Lydia, b. May 18, 1755; m. Jan. 25, 1775, David Wilson. 
Lizza, b. Feb. 27, 1757 ; m. May 22, 1777, Moses Mead. 



Nathan Viles m. Oct. 14, 1784, Mrs. Sarah Hagar. She d. 
May 12, 1787, aged 33 years. They had one child, Nathan, b. Aug. 
14, 1786, who d. Nov. 26, of the same year. He d. March 6, 1788, 
aged 49. His wife and child dying before him, he gave his property 
to his brothers and sisters, all of whom are mentioned in his Will, 
but Jonas and David, who had previously deceased. 



Joel Viles m. June 27, 1775, Mary Bowman, dau. of William 
and Mary (Reed) Bowman. The precise time he came to Lex. we 
are not able to fix, but as he was chosen one of the. hog-reeves in 
1771, he must have been an inhabitant of the town at that time. He 
was a corporal in Capt. Parker's co. 1775. Was in the detachment 
which marched to Camb. May 10 and June 17 of that year. He was 
also in the service two months in 1776. 

Mary, b. Nov. 10, 1775 ; m. Joseph Simonds, and d. March 5, 

1867, aged 92. 
Susanna, b. May 11, 1777 ; m. Jonas Coburn of Weston. 
William, b. Feb. 6, 1779 ; d. unm. 

Boioman, b. Dec. 7, 1780; moved to Lynnfield, where he died. 
\John, b. Aug. 11, 1782; m. Jan. 12, 1806, Sally Dudley. 
\Elias, b. Sept. 17, 1784; m. Betsey Fessenden. 
Hannah, b. Oct. 28, 1786; m. Amos Teel; she is living in Chariest. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



253 



8-19- 



19-25 
20 



8-20- 



20-32 



8-24- 



24-33 
34 

35 
36 
37 
38 
39 

40 



Natlan b Aug. 24, 1789 ; m. Nancy Reed ; lives in Boston. 
Lucy b. Sept 11, 1791 ; m. Marcli 18, 1820, John Nelson of Line. 
^^;';Stf « S' "^^ ^P"^ 1^' ^«21' Sally SnutL, au adopted 



dau. of Jacob Smith 



John ViLES m. Jan. 12, 180r,, Sally Dudley, dau. of Nathan and 
barah (Munroe) Dudley. He d. Sept. 28, 1858, aged 74. 

FrankUn, b. July 25, 1807; d. June 23, 1836, unni. 

Harali A., b. March 17, 1810; m. Sept. 3, 18;U, Charles A. Butters, 

son of Joshua and Susan Butters, b. Aug. 7, ISO!). They have 

Frank, b. April 8, 1837 ; S. Louisa, b. July 3, 1839; Ella F., b. 

Sept. 15, 1844. 
William, b. Dec. 12, 1812 ; unm. 
John, b. Feb. 14, 1819; m. Catharine R. Nelson, an adopted dau. 

of Dr. Nelson of Wo. They resided in Richmond, Va., where 

she died. 
Martha A., b. May 10, 1821 ; m. John D. TIdd of Woburn. 
Bebecca D ., b. May 12, 1824. 
Mary B., b. Feb. 17, 1831 ; m. Jan. 1860, B. F. Tenney of Boston. 



Elias Viles ra. April 11, 1818, Betsey A. Fessenden, dau. of 
Thomas and Hannah (Prentice) Fessenden. He d. and she m. 1833, 
Jonathan Hartwell of Montague. 

Emeline, b. Feb. 24, 1819 ; m. John Ward of Montague, where 
they reside. 



Joel Viles m. Jan. 12, 1821^ Sally Smith, and adopted dau. of 
Jacob Smith. He represented the town in the convention to revise 
the Constitution, in 1853. He has been selectman ten years. 

Elias, b. June 25, 1822; d. April 21, 1849. unmarried. 

Susan r., b. Dec. 17, 1823; m. Oct. 7, 1849, Nathan Stiles. He 

ran a locomotive engine ten or twelve years ; r. at Waterville, Me. 
Joel Augustus, b. March 15, 1825 ; d. Feb. 11, 1850, in California. 
Andrew, h. Oct. 27, 1827 ; d. Sept. 21, 1852. 
Clinton, b. Jan. 13, 1828; r. in Boston. 

Adeline, b. Nov. 25, 1830; m. Sept. 14, 1856, Oliver C. Robinson. 
Sarah S., b. March 17, 1832; m. Jan. 8, 1853, George A. Stimson, 

and d. Dec. 23, 1853. 
Jacob Smith, b. July 16, 1840 ; r. In Boston. 



THE WELLINGTON FAMILY. 

The Wellingtons, though they have been quite numerous in Lex- 
ino-ton were not among the earliest settlers of the place. The name 
firit appears on our records in 1705. They removed from Water- 
town to Cambridge Farms ; and as they settled in the southeasterly 
part of Lexino-ton, near tlie Watertown and Waltham line, and some 
portions of tire families were frequently moving across the hnes, it 
is somewhat difficult to trace the Lexington families _ ^\ e give their 
ori^rin and descent as near as we can ; and in doing this, it would not 
beltrange if in some cases,_ we should place some individuals on 
the wrong side of the town line. 

Roger Wellington, a planter, b. about 1009 or 10, was one of 
the early proprietors of Watertown. He prol)a bly removed to tiiat 
place froui Boston, for the Boston records contain the names of his 
90 



254 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 



1-4- 

4- 8 
1-5- 



5- 9 
10 
11 
12 



5-10- 



10-19 
20 



children. Though he was in Watertown as early as 1642, he was 
not admitted freeman till 1690. He m. Mary, eldest dau. of Dr. 
Richard of Charlestown. He d. March 11, 1698. He mentions in 
his Will, his sons John, Joseph, Benjamin, Oliver and Palgrave. 

John, b. .July 25, 1638 ; admitted freeman Dec. 1677. He was a 

farmer in Camb. ; m. Susanna Straight, and d. Aug, 23, 1726, 

aged 88. He left no children. 
Mary, b. Feb. 10, 1641 ; m. May 21, 1662, Henry Maddock, and 

after his death m. John Cooledge — having one child by each 

husband. 
]Joseph, b. Oct. 9, 1643 ; admitted freeman, 1677. 

\Beiijamin, b. ; admitted freeman, 1677. 

Oliver, b. Nov. 23, 1648 ; admitted freeman, 1677 ; m. wid. Anna 

Livermore, and d. Aug. 30, 1727, without issue. 
Palgrave, admitted freeman, 1690; m. Sarah Bond, dau. of William 

Bond, Esq., and d. about 1715, without issue. 



Joseph Wellington was twice m. and had three daughters and 
one son. 

^Thomas, b. Nov. 10, 1686; m. Rebecca Whittemore. 



Benjamin Wellington ra. Dec. 7, 1671, Elizabeth Sweetman of 
Cambridge. He d. Jan. 8, 1710. 

Elizabeth, b. Dec. 29, 1673 ; m. John Fay of Marlboro'. 

\Benjamin, b. June 21, 1676 ; d. in Lex. Nov. 15, 1738. 

John, b. July 26, 1678; d. Nov. 30, 1717. 

Ebenezer, b. ; m. Jan. 28, 1704, Deliverance Bond. He 

probably settled in Lexington, where his first two children were 
baptized. Elizabeth, bap. Aug. 26, 1705. Ebenezer, bap. March 
13, 1709, and grad. H. C. 1727. He subsequently removed to 
Watertown, where he kept a public house in 1715-17. The birth 
of the rest of his children is found upon the Wat. Records. 

Ruhamah, b. ; m. Nov. 15, 1699, Dea. Joseph Brown, then of 

Wat., but afterwards of Lexington. She d. July 1, 1772, aged 92. 

Mehitabel, bap. March 4, 1688; m. Sept. 13, 1715, William Sherman 
of Newton. She was the mother of the celebrated Roger Sherman 
of Connecticut, of Revolutionary memory. 

Joseph, bap. Jan. 4, 1691. 

Roger, the youngest son, birth not recorded. 



Thomas Wellington m. Rebecca Whittemore, and had five 
children, two sons and three daughters. Plis sons were — 

\Joseph, b. Nov. 21, 1711. 

Thomas, b. Aug. 6, 1714 ; d. Nov. 4, 1783. 



Benjamin Wellington m. Jan. 16, 1699, Lydia Brown, and 
settled in Lexington, where they were ad. to the ch. June 10, 1705. 
She d. May 13, 1711, and he m. second, Dec. 25, 1712, Elizabeth 
Phelps. She d. Jan. 7, 1730, aged 54, and he ni. third, Mary Whit- 
ney. He d. Nov. 19, 1738, aged 63. He was for many years one 
of the most popular men in the town — having been elected assessor, 
sixteen years, town clerk, fifteen years, treasurer, three years, and 
representative, three years. 

\Benjamin, b. May 21, 1702 ; d. Nov. 15, 1738. 
Lydia, b, Aug. 24, 1704 ; d. Aug. 10, 1718. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



255 



21 
22 
23 
24 
25 

8-17- 

17-27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 

33 
34 
35 

10-19- 



19-37 
38 



10-24- 



24-41 
42 
43 
44 

45 

24-41- 



Kezia, b. March 28, 1707. 

John, b. Nov. 12, 1709; d. Sept. 22, 1728. 

Abigail, b. July 14, 1715; m. Feb. 19, 1734. David Munroc. 

\Timothy, b. July 27, 1719; d. previous to 1760. 

Marij, b. Oct. 20, 1732. 26 Oliver, b. April 14, 1735. 



41-40 
47 
48 
49 
50 
51 



Joseph Wellington m. Nov. 13, 1733, Dorcas Stone. 

Joseph, b. Nov. 13, 1734; d. 1819. 

Rebecca, b. Sept. 4, 1737 ; m. Feb. 10, 1757, Zacliariah Hill. 

Dorcas, b. May 31, 1740; d. unmarried. 

Mary, b. Nov. 29, 1742; m. July 6, 1761, Phinehas Stearns. 

Hannah, bap. 1745. 

Margaret, h. Aug. 22, 1745 ; m. Timothy Page, who was killed at 

the battle of White Plains. 
Palgrave, b. March 12, 1748. He moved to Alstead, N. H. 
Jeduthan, b. Sept. 4, 1750 ; settled on the homestead. 
Elizabeth, b. Nov. 6, 1753. 36 Enoch, b. Sept. 1, 1756. 



Benjamin Wellington m. first. Lydia . He m. second, 

Abigail Fessenden, b. July 13, 1713, dau. of Thomas and Abigail 
(Poulter) Fessenden. He d. Nov. 15, 1738, and his wid. m. Eben- 
ezer Smith of Lexington. 

Lydia, b. Dec. 22, 1722. 

Roger, b. June 22, 1733 ; m. in Waltham, March 10, 1757, Abigail 

Stearns. They had a son, Oliver, b. in Lexington, Jan. 19, 1758. 

They were admitted to the church in Lex. Dec. 25, 1757, and were 

dismissed in 1760 to the Second Church in Brookfield. 
John, b. April 18, 1736; removed to Townsend, Vt. 
Benjamin, b. Apiil 22, 1738; m, Sept. 5, 1763, Lucy Smith. He 

removed to Brooktield, and in 1777 to Ashby. 



Timothy Wellington m. Rebecca Stone who was b. Jan. 22, 
1721, dau. of Jonathan and Chary (Adams) Stone of Lex. He d. 
and his wid. m. Feb. 14, 1754, John Dix of Waltham. 

\Benjamin, b. Aug. 7, 1743; m. Martha Ball. 

Chary, b. July 12, 1745. 

tri?«o%,b. April 15, 1747; d. April, 1809. ^ .,^ . 

Abigail, h. March 14, 1749 ; m. Dec. 29, 1768, Daniel Cotting of 

Waltham. 
Ruhamon, b. Sept. 4, 1751. 



Benjamin Wellington m. Dec. 4, 1766, Martha Ball of Walt. 
He was selectman 1785 and 1792. He d. Sept. 14, 1812, aged 69. 
He was a member of Capt. Parker's company in 177o and on commg 
to the Common that morning, was taken by the British and disarmed 
He was detained but a short time, when he was discharged, so that 
he partook of the honors and dangers of that day. He was at the 
taking of Burgoyne in 1777. He was the first prisoner taken in the 
Revolution. 

Marn b Sept. 22, 1767 ; m. Dec. 31, 1789, Asa Baldwin Locke. 
Abigail, bap. in Walt Oct. 1, 1769 
Benjamin, bap. in Walt. July 13. 1772. 

IS! b. May 31, 1781 ; m. 1813, H«pz.baU Hastings. 



256 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



24-43- 



43-56 



67 

68 
69 



41-50- 



60-62 
63 



64 

65 
66 

67 

68 
69 

70 
71 

72 



41-51- 



Bichard, b. July 14, 1783; d. Dec. 11, 1836, aged 53. 

James, b. Dec. 12, 1785; m. Nov. 18, 1820, Susanna Jacobs, b. 

Aug. 7, 1801, dau. of Braddock Jacobs of Lit. 
Patty, twin with James, b. Dec. 12, 1785. 
Isaac, b, Dec. 5, 1787 ; m. Nov. 18, 1824, Mary Wilder Jacobs and 

resided in Medford, 



Timothy Weixixgton, b. April 15, 1747 ; d. April, 1809 ; m. 
May 1, 1776, Hannah W. Abbott, b. Dec. 10, 1758, d. 1785. They 
were both admitted to the ch. in Lex. March oO, 1777. He was a 
member of the patriotic company which shed the 6rst blood of the 
Revolution ; he was subsequently in the service at Camb. some five 
months . 

Rebecca Stone, b. Feb. 5, 1777 ; m. April 22, 1799, John K. Cool- 
edge, and moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Timothij, b. March 29, 1778 ; drowned April 8, 1781. 

\Neliemiah, b. Jan. 1, 1780; m. May 16, 1805, Nancy Stearns. 

Timotluj, b. Oct. 8, 1781 ; m. first, 1813, Mary E. Law, who d. 
March, 1816, and he m. second, 1820, Lydia Yates. He was grad. 
H. C. 1806, M. D. He settled in West Cambridge, where he d. 
1853. 

Hannah, b. July 4, 1783 ; d. aged 17 or 18 years. 

Joseph Abbott, b. July 14, 1785. 



Benjamin Oliver Wellington m. in Lincoln, May 20, 1811, 
Patty Hastings, b. April 10, 1789, dau. of Major Samuel and Lydia 
(Nelson) Hastings. He was a military man, and rose to the rank 
of major. He was a leading influential citizen, and filled most of the 
important offices in the gift of his townsmen. He was selectman 
several years, and filled other places of honor and trust. He d. Dec. 
10, 1853, aged 75. He and his wife were ad. to the ch. May 2, 
1813. He lived and died upon the place which had been in posses- 
sion of the family about one hundred and fifty years. He was the 
first man in the town who established a milk dairy for the supply of 
the Boston market, — which has since become a very important branch 
of husbandry in the town. 

Oliver Eastings, b. Feb. 23, 1812; d. March 1, 1813. 

Oliver Hastings, b. Aug. 19, 1813; m. Aug. 29, 1838, Charlotte 

Augusta, dau. of William Kent, Esq., of Concord, N. H., and had 

Mary C, William A., Arthur M., Lucy M. D. 
Mary Jane, b. July 5, 1815 ; m. April 17, 1845, James H. Danforth 

of Boston. 
Albert, b. June 1, 1817 ; m. in Boston, where he is a merchant. 
Ambrose, b. April 11, 1819 ; grad. H. C. 1841 ; m. May, 1845, Lucy 

J. Kent. He is a lawyer in Boston. 
Martha, b. April 11, 1821 ; d. Jan. 1863. 
Benjamin, b. March 21, 1823 ; resides in Buffalo. 
Dorcas Ann, b. April 20, 1825 ; m. Dr. Geo. H. Taylor. 
Laura, b. Dec. 26, 1826 ; d. Dec. 30, 1843. 
Winslow, b. May 16, 1829. 
Edward, b. March 3, 1831 ; drowned in Fresh Pond, July 6, 1852, 

while a member of the Lawrence Scientific School, a department 

of Harvard College. 



Peter Wellington m. in Lincoln, May 26, 1813, Hepzibah 
Hastings, b. May 24, 1793. She was sister to his brother Benjamin 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



257 



51-73 

74 
75 

76 

77 
78 
79 
80 
81 
82 

8;] 

84 
85 
43-82- 



82-86 
87 



89 



90 
91 



O. s wife. He and his brother not only married sisters, but they 
resided in the same house, and each have liad lar^e faiuilies. He is 
living, and has nearly closed his eighty-seventh year. 

Henry Wakefield, b. Feb. 25, 1814; m. June 1, 183G, Martha S. 

Small. 
Darius, b. Oct. 9, 1815 ; m. Dec. 28, 1844, Hannah Duville. 
Isabella, b. May 23, 1817 ; m. April 23, 1845, Herman Snow, and 

d. Aug. 3, 1848. 
Abby, b. March 29, 1819 ; m. June 4, 1844, James Blodgett ; d. Oct. 

12, 1845. 
Caroline, b. Dec. 3, 1820. 

Andreto, h. Dec. 23, 1822 ; m. Leah L. Nichols. 
Eliza, b. Dec. 6, 1824. 

Elhridge Gerry, b. July 29, 1826 ; d. Oct. 23, 1819, in California. 
Cornelius, b. May 23, 1828. 
Emily, b. Feb. 24, 1830; d. April 13, 1850. 
Samuel Hastings, b. Aug. 6, 1832; d. April 7, 1833. 
Louisa Maria, b. April 20, 1834; m. May 24, 1863, Lucius H. 

Peaslee of Boston. 
Charles Austin, b. Dec. 2, 1837. 

jSTeiiemiaii Wellington m. May 16, 1805, Nancy Stearns, dau. 
of Joshua of Walthain. He d. May 11, 1857, aged 77. He was 
selectman 1841, assessor 1840, and representative 1836 and 1838. 

Anna Eliza, b. March 2, 1806 ; d. Oct. 3, 1822. 

\Auyustus, b. June 15, 1807. 

Hannah Maria, b. Nov. 17, 1809; m. June 15, 1835, Samuel 
Bridge. 

Timothy W., b. July 4, 1811; m. Nov. 4, 1835, Susanna Ray, who 
d. April 28, 1847, and he m. Sept. 3, 1848, Augusta Fiske, d.au. 
of Samuel Fiske. They reside in Worcester. At the breaking 
out of the Rebellion, Mr. Wellington took an active part in sus- 
taining the Government by all the means in his power. Two of his 
oldest sons, Edward W. and Frank W., enlisted as privates in the 
25th Regt. of Mass. Vols., and after serving through Burnside's 
campaign in North Carolina, Edward was promoted to a lieuten- 
ancy in^Col. Lowell's cavalry ; but his health failing, he resigned 
his position. Frank W. was detailed to the commissary depart- 
ment, and was stationed at Newberne, N. C, where he remained 
till his three years expired. George, a younger son of Timothy, at 
the ao-e of seventeen, enlisted in the 2d Mass. Heavy Artillery, was 
fikeirprisoner at Plymouth, N. C, sent to Andersonville, where 
he died, a victim to Rebel barbarity. Charles, a twin brother of 
George, enlisted in the navy, and served fifteen months. 

Mr° Wellino-ton not only sent four sons to the war, but he pro- 
vided' at his own expense, a hospital at Worcester for the sick and 
disabled soldiers, which he supported about five months and dis- 
pensed favors to fifty or sixty patriotic soldiers. _ Mr. Wellington 
represented the twenty-seventh Worcester district in the legisla- 
ture of 1864. , , , .1 • -A 

\Sidlivan b. Nov. 8, 1813 ; he has been thrice married 

J^aaX,h. Nov. 30, 1815; m. Oct. 17 1839. Harriet Bos- 
rrth dau of Nathaniel Bosworth of Attleboro' He left Lex- 
h"toi in 1856, and took up his residence in Camb. During the 
t^e rebllion, he took a deep interest in the welfare of the soldiers, 
often visiting our armies in the field, and in the winter of 1863-4 
he vlitS New Orleans, as agent from Massachusetts, to attend to 



258 



HISTORY or LEXINGTON. 



92 



82-87- 



87-95 



96 
97 
98 
99 



82-90- 



90-100 
101 
102 
103 
104 
105 



1- 2 
3 



the want of the soldiers. His oldest son, Austin C, enlisted in 
the 38th Regt., was made sergeant, and detailed as acting adju- 
tant, which position he held till the rebellion closed. He was in 
the Shenandoah Valley under Sheridan, during his brilliant career. 
Jonas Clarke was an assessor in Lex. 1852-54, and town treas- 
urer in 1855. 

Horatio, b. Sept. 6, 1817 ; m. Dec. 16, 1841, Mary Bowman Teel, 
dau. of Amos Teel of Charlestown. to which place he removed in 
1850. Plis eldest son, Arthur, seventeen years of age, enlisted in 
the 13th Regt., was discharged for disability, re-enlisted in the 
3Gth Regt., was taken prisoner and paroled, and again discharged 
for disability. Mr. W. represented the tirst Middlesex district in 
the legislature of 1864. 

AvisM., b. June 27, 1819; m. Oct. 17, 1850, Emory Abbott Mulliken. 

Joseph A., b. June 12, 1821; m. Feb. 10, 1846, Ellen A. Smith, 
dau. of Billings Smith. He moved to Camb. 1854, where he now 
resides. 



Augustus Wellington m. first, March 3, 1835, Tryphena M. 
Winship, dau. of Stephen Winship. She d. Dec. 26, 1841, aged 
34, and he m. second, Sept. 18, 1842, Mrs. Martha Hastings, who d. 
suddenly, April 20, 1852, aged 46. He m. third, Sept. 8, 1852, 
Sarah Bisbee of Boston. 

Henri/ A., b. July 10, 1839 ; m. March 16, 1862, Angeline E. Moore 

of Canaan, Me. 
Trijphena, b. 1841 ; d. Aug. 16, 1846. 
Charles B., b. Sept. 28, 1849; d. Aug. 27, 1850. 
Grace Standish, b. Sept. 30, 1853. 
Herbert Lyman, b. Oct. 9, 1856. 



Sullivan Wellington m. April 12, 1844, Isabella L. Hastings, 
dau. of Charles and Martha Hastings of Waltham. She d. March 
29, 1853, aged 26, and he m. second, March 1, 1855, Antoinette 
Holten, dau. of Jeremiah and Mary Holten of Boothbay, Me. She 
d. May 4, 1859, aged 33, and he m. third, June 20, 1860, Louisa 
Robinson, dau. of Moses and Hannah Robinson of Rockland, Me. 

Ellen J., b. March 11, 1846 ; m. Feb. 23, 1868, R. Russell Simonds. 
Martha Antoinette. ) b. Jan. 25, 1856; d. Feb. 9, 1856. 
Marij Lizzie, \ b. Jan. 25, 1856 ; d. Aug. 30, 1863. 

Clifford Holten, b. April 28, 1859 ; d. Dec. 25, 1859. 
Charles Sumner, b. Sept. 21, 1862. 
Ernest Hathorn, D. Nov. 2, 1864. 



There is another branch of the Wellington family, several of 
whom have settled in Lexington, though their ancestors for some 
generations have been of Waltham or Watertown. 

William Wellington of Waltham, who was b. July 28, 1746, 
and who was son of Thomas Jr., of Waltham, b. Aug. 6, 1714, and 
grandson of Thomas (No. 18 in the preceding table of Wellingtons) 
m. Aug. 18, 17G4, Mary Whitney. He had a family of fourteen 
children, many of whom were remarkable for their longevity. Wil- 
liam was a prominent citizen in Waltham ; was selectman seventeen 
years. Many of his children settled in Lexington, or were connected 
with Lexington families. 

\William, b. Dec. 11, 1769, first of Walt., but afterwards of Lex. 
\David, b. Nov. 1, 1771 ; m. Rebecca Stearns. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



259 



1-2- 



2-lC 
17 

18 

19 
20 

21 



1-3- 



3-22 

23 
24 
25 

26 



1-12- 



12-29 



30 



31 



32 



Abraham, h. March 22, 1774; m, Elizabeth Lawrence. 

lolly, b. April 16, 1776; m. Phinehas Lawrence. 

Isaac, b. Feb. 20, 1778; drowned in Fresh Pond, Nov. 1798 then a 

member of the senior class, H C 
CJmrl^s, b i^eb. 20, 1780; grad. H. C. 1802; settled a clergyman 

in lempleton. ""^ 

Alice, b. Oct. 31, 1781; m. March 3. 1803, Jonas Clarke. 
Betsey b Feb. 4, 1784; m, June 28. 1804, Capt. Isaac Child. 
Set I, b. Nov. 18, 1785; m. Louisa Miles and Mrs. Sabra Stone. 
l^ybil, h Sept. 24, 1787; m. Dec. 18, 1S06, Lorino- Pierce 
\Marshall, b. Sept. 26. 1789; m. March 9, 1815, Elizabeth Kimball. 
Darius, b. Jan. 14, 1794; was twice married. 
Almira, b. Aug. 1, 1795; m. Francis Bowman. 
Isaac, b. Nov. 12, 1796. 



William Wfxlington m. Mjiy 3, 1798, Avis Fiske. He resided 
first in Waltham, and afterwards came to Lexington. He d. Aiic. 
24, 1861, aged 92 years and 8 months. She d. Jan. 5, 1863, aged 
84 years and 9 months. 

Mary, b. Feb. 11, 1799; m. May 8, 1825, Aaron Ilolbrook. 
Jonathan F., b. Jan. 5, 1801 ;"m. March, 1825, Abig.ail Cope of 

Quincy. 
Adalme, b. March 8, 1803 ; m. Dec. 13, 1827, Nathaniel W. Stearns 

of Waltham. 
Abigail, b. July 15, 1805; d. Oct. 15, 1806. 
Abigail, b. Feb. 11, 1807; m. Nov. 25, 1827, Nathaniel Pierce of 

Lexington. 
William, b. March 29, 1808 ; m. Dec. 1, 1833, Rebecca Ames of 

Pembroke. 



David Wellington m. April 11, 1805, Rebecca Stearns. They 
were ad. to the ch. in Lex. June 6, 1806. She d. Feb. 18, 1821. 
He d. March 10, 1860, aged 88 years. 

Eiram, b. March 14, 1806; grad. H. C. 1834, m. Oct. 23, 1851, 

Ann A. Hudson. He is a lawyer in Boston. 
Rebecca, b. April 11, 1808. 
David, h. Aug. 15, 1810; a merchant in Boston. 
Mary, b. March 31, 1813 ; m. Oct. 31, 1840, George S. Gary, son of 

Jonathan. 
Francis, b. Ang. 27, 1815. 27 Susan Wyeth, b. Aug. 28, 1818. 

Avery, b. Feb. 14, 1821 ; m. Dec. 17, 1851, Martha L. Kidder. 



March 9, 1815, Elizabeth Kimball. 



Marshall Wellington m. 
He d. July 10, 1866, aged 76. 

Marshall Kimball, b. in Lex. March 24, 1817 ; m. May 20, 1843. 

Joanna Carrol. 
Elizabeth, b. Jan. 16, 1820; m. May 9, 1838, Albert W. Bryant. 

She d. July 15, 1840. 
Nancy, b. March 1, 1822; m. Aug. 23, 1841, Albert W. Bryant, 

widower of her late sister Elizabeth. 
Walter b. Dec. 3, 1824; m. Dec. 3, 1847, Martha W. Hastmgs, 

dau 'of Charles and Martha of Waltham. She d. June 18, 1849. 

and' he m. Jan. 6, 1852, Hannah M. Parker. They have had 

Charles, b. Oct. 13, 1853 ; A. Elizabeth, b. Feb. 1, 1856, d. Nov. 

9, 1865'; Marion L., b. Oct. 17, 1866. 



260 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 
3 
4 
6 

7 



1-4- 



1-7- 



7-12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
19 
20 



THE WESTCOTT FAMILY. 

Rev. Henry Westcott was b. in Warwick, R. I., Oct. 30, 1831 ; 
m. June 10, 18C3, Sarah A. Read, dau. of William Read of Cam- 
bridge, Mass. He graduated at Brown University, 1853, and after 
pursuing his theological studies, was settled in Barre, Mass., where 
he remained five years. After leaving Barre, he supplied the society 
at West Dedham one year, when he came to Lexington, where he was 
installed June 26, 1867. He was son of Josiah and Mary H. (Tib- 
betts) Westcott of Warwick, R. I., who was a direct descendant 
from Stiikehj Westcott, who came to this country about 1635, and set- 
tled in Salem. Entertaining religious opinions diil'ering from the 
puritans in general, a controversy arose, and Stukely Westcott was 
excommunicated, in 1639, with Roger Williams and others, who had 
already gone to Providence to found a colony there. Westcott settled 
in Warwick, where his descendants are found at the present day. 



THE WHITE FAMILY. 

Daxiel White was in Cambridge Farms as early as 1696, when 

his name appears on the tax bill. He was constable in 1713 and 

1714. He must have been a man of some dignity of character; for 

in seating the meeting house in 1731, he was placed in the second 

seat below. He in. JNlary ; she d. and he m. second, Hannah 

. His Will, 1738, mentions wife Hannah, sons Joseph, John, 

Stephen, and Samuel, and dau. Sybil Mansfield and Sarah Locke. 

Daniel, b. Oct. 29, 1695. 

Mary, b. Oct. 24, 1697 ; probably d. young. 

\Jolm, b. Feb. 16, 1699. 5 Marij, bap, Sept. 8, 1700. 

Thomas, b. Feb. 22, 1702; d. March 22, 1718. 

^JosepJi, h. April 17, 1704. 

Sybil, b. May 12, 1706 ; m. Dec. 25, 1734, Theophilus Mansfield 

of Watertown. 
Stephen, b. April 27, 1709. 

Sarah, b. Aug. 23, 1711 ; m. Locke. 

Samuel, bap. Sept. 12, 1714 ; m. Sept. 13, 1736, Dinah Ward. 



John White m. Susanna . He and his wife made their 

peace with the ch. Oct. 10, 1735, and the next Sabbath, John, their 
first child, was bap. We find no other record of his family. He 
appears to have been a military character. He was in service as a 
corporal among the King's troops in 1725, and was also in the French 
and Lidian wars, 1757 and 1760. As there is no further record of 
him in Lex., he probably never returned to reside in that place. 



Joseph White m. Hannah about 1727. She d. April 7, 

1731, and he m. Mary , He d. Aug. 4, 1777, aged 73, and she 

d. Oct. 20, 1780. 

Hannah, b. Dec. 10, 1728 ; m. May 24, 1752, Joseph Abbot. 

Manj, b. March 25, 1731. 

Susanna, b. Oct. 10, 1735 ; m. Oct. 4, 1756, Jonathan Raymond. 

Joseph, b. Oct. 11, 1737. 

William, b. April 25, 1740; m. Feb. 9, 1767, Tabitha Ener of Walt. 

Thomas, h. Ajiril 15, 1742. 18 Benjamin, b. May 9, 1744. 

\Ebenezer, b. July 10, 1746; m. Elizabeth Harrington. 

John, b. June 1, 1748. 21 Nathan, b. June 16, 1750. 



6-19- 



19-22 
24 
25 
26 



1- 2 
3 

4 
/) 
6 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 261 

Ebenezer White ni. Feb. 12, 17G7, Elizabeth IIarr;nr.ton He 
ook an early part in the Revolutionary stru^^le, behu'? w"th the 
l.ex. minute men on the Common on the 19th of Auril F??,-). lU 

day of the battle of Bunker 11,11. At that time he held a ser.roant's 
warrant. He subsequently held a eo.nmission, and enlisted into the 
Lontniental army. He d. Oct. 6, 1777. 

Nathan, b. July 27, 17G7. 23 Jonas, h. Jan. 20, 17GS 

f'^flAh. Nov. 30, 1770; m. Nov. 29, 1792, Polly Harrin-rton. 
Sal/i/, bap. Z>ec. 28, 1772 ; d. in innmcy. 
Ebenezer, b. April 7, 177,5; d. Dec. 13,"l819, a^ed 44 



THE WHITMAN FAMrLY. 

Jonx Whitman, one of the early settlers of Weymouth, was 
probably the ancestor of nearly all the Whitmans in the country. 
He was in New England before 1638, as he was made freeman that 
year. He filled several public offices in Weymouth. He had nine 
children. Thomas, his eldest son, probably came to this country 
with his mother, about 1641, being at that time twelve years of age ; 
and hence was b. in England, 1629. He was made freeman 1653. 
In 1655, he m. Abigail Byram. He and his father-in-law moved to 
Bridgewater. He d. 1712, aged 83. He had three sons and four 
daughters. Nicholas, the third son of Thomas, m. Sarah Vining of 
Weymouth, and had by her four sons. She d. and he m. Alary 
Conant, by whom he had several other children. He was killed by 
being run over by a cart. John, the second son of Nicholas by his 
iirst wife, was b. 1704, and m. Mary Richards, by whom he had no 
children. She d. and he m. Elizabeth Gary, by whom he had 
Samuel and John. He m. a third wife, by whom he had other chil- 
dren, lie. d. 1792, aged 88 years. 

John Whitm4N, of John, m. Lydia Snow. He resided in Bridge- 
water on the patrimonial farm. By his first wife he had three chil- 
dren. She d. and he m. his cousin, Abigail Whitman, dau. of Josiah 
Whitman, by whom he had eleven children. He was deacon of the 
church, and d. 1842, at the advanced age of 107 years. 

Lydia, b. 1765; m. Ebenezer Whitman of Windsor. She d. 1826. 

Elizabeth, h. 1767; m. Trowbridge of Middleboro'; d. 1791. 

James, b. 1769; resided in Belchertown. He d. 1855. 

Catharine, h. 1775; d. Dec. 1793. 

Bathsheba, b. 1777 ; d. unm. in Lex. Aug. 20, 1864, aged_87. Miss 
Whitman was engaged as a teacher in private and public schools, 
nearly all the time from 1794 to 1845. She was a woman of supe- 
rior mind, and retained her faculties to the last. After she was 
eio-hty years old, she wrote an excellent round hand, without the 
least tremor. She was highly respected, and d. in full faith of a 
happy immortality. 

Josiah, b. 1779 ; resided in Wellileet. 

Alfred, b. 1781 ; d. Aug. 1842. 

Obadiah, b. 1783 ; removed to New Gloucester 

Nathaniel, b. 1785; grad. H. C. 1809, settled as a clergyman at 

Billerica. „ locn 

Hosea, b. 1788 ; resided in Waltham ; d. 1859. 
John, b. 1790 ; deceased 1822. 
Abigail, b. 1793 ; deceased 1818. 
91 



262 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



14 
15 



1-15- 



15-1(5 
17 

18 
19 



20 



Bernard, b. 1796 ; he was a clergyman, and d. in Waltham, 1834. 
\Jason, b. April 30, 1799; d. in Portland, 1858. 



Jason Whitman m. March, 1832, Mary Fairfield of Saco ; grad. 
H. C. 1825; read Theology and settled "at Saco, Me., 1830. In 
1834, was appointed General Agent of the American Unitarian Asso- 
ciation. Subsequently he was settled in Portland. In 1845, he was 
invited to Lexington, where he was installed July 30, of that year. 
In December, 1847, he and his wife went to Saco, to attend the 
funeral of her brother, and in Portland he was taken suddenly ill, 
and d. Jan. 25, 1858. His wid. is still living in Lexington. 

Sarah, b. April 8, 1833 ; d. Feb. 21, 1846. 

Bernard, b. Sept. 15, 1834 ; he has spent some ten years in South 

Catharine,'h. July 18, 1836. 

John, b. May 28, 1838. He had followed the seas some years in the 

merchant service, and in the midst of the late rebellion he entered 

the navv, and served to the end of the war. 
Martha, b. July 13, 1840. 

The Whitmans have been remarkable for longevity. In the brief 
line we have traced, there are four persons whose aggregate age is 
three hundred and sixty-five years, giving the average of ninety-one 
years to each. 



1- 2 

3 



THE WHITMORE FAMILY. 

Though Whitmore has never been a very common name in Lex., 
it is immediately connected with the earliest records, and is men- 
tioned in connection with the boundary of the parish, when it was 
incorporated in 1693. The Great and General Court, in setting off 
the Farms as a precinct, described the dividing line between the old 
town of Cambridge and the North Parish as follows : " Beginning at 
the first run of water or swampy place, over which is a kind of a 
bridge in the way or road, on the southerly side of Francis Whit- 
more's house, towards the town of Cambridge." 

This vague and indefinite description was again adopted when the 
precinct was erected into a town, in 1713, and remains to this day 
the boundary between Lexington and Arlington. But though this 
description is not very definite, it fixes with a good degree of cer- 
tainty the location of the Whitmore house. It must have been 
situated on Main street, below Cutler's Tavern, near the line of 
the town. But while this house was within the precinct, it Is 
not certain that Francis Whitmore ever resided in it, though it was 
owned by him and bore his name. He certainly could not have 
resided there at the incorporation of the precinct, for he had then 
been dead several years. The house was probably occupied by his 
son, Samuel, whose name Is found upon the parish tax bills, back to 
the incorporation of the parish. 

Francis Whitmore was born about 1625. He lived in Camb., 
and was a large landholder in that and the neighboring towns. He 
m. Isabel Parke, dau. of Richard Parke of Camb. She d. March 31, 
1665, and he m. Nov. 10, 1666, Margaret Harty. He d. Oct. 12, 
1685, aged 62. He served in the Indian War under Major Willard, 
as the treasurer's books show. 

Elizabeth, b. May 2, 1649 ; m. Nov. 3, 1669, Daniel Markham. 
Francis, b. Oct. 12, 1650; removed to Connecticut. 



1-5- 



1-10- 



10-22 

24 
26 
27 
28 
29 

1-11- 



5-12- 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 

Join, h Oct 1, 1G54; lived in Medfonl, and d. Feb. 2^ 1739 
\Sarmtel,h. May 1, 1658 ; m. Rebecca Gardner. 

Abigail, b. Julv 3, 1660 ; m. Wilcox 

Sarah, b May 7, 1662; m. May 29, 1683," William Locke. 
Margaret, b. Sept. 9, 1668 ; m. Thomas Carter 
Frances, b March 3, 1671 ; m. Jonathan Thompson. 
momas b. 1673; m. Mary, dau. of Samuel Waters. 
^Joseph, b. 1675 ; lived in Woburn. 

^.?^'l^'^1^^l-° 5'";^""^' ^^P- ^^^'■^^^ 27, leei, and Hammh, 
teb. 15, 166/, but both died young. 



263 



Samuel Whitmore m. March 31, 1686, Rebecca Gardner. His 
name IS found upon our earliest records, being a subscriber for the 
erection of a meeting house in 1692, and one of a committee, in 
IDJ.J lor making taxes. He was an assessor in 1700 and 1708 and 
a tythingman in 1712. He was one of the original members of the 
ch. gathered in 1696, and his wife, Rebecca, was admitted Jan. 16, 
1700. She d. June 6, 1709, aged 43, and he m. Mrs. Mary, wid of 
Abraham Watson ; she d. Nov. 14, 1730, aged 60. He d. May 22, 
1724, aged 66. 

\Francis, b. Dec. 9, 1686. 

\Samuel, b. April 1, 1688; m. Jan. 7, 1720, Bethia Pa^e. 
Itebecca, b. Feb. 9, 1690; d. June 12, 1709. " 

John, b. June 5, 1692 ; d. May 5, 1714. 
Benjamin, bap. Nov. 27, 1698, moved to Newton. 
Abigail, bap. Nov. 27, 1698. 18 Sarah, b. April 10, 1701. 

Nathaniel, b. ]May 7, 1 702, moved to Newton. 
Mary, b. May 4, 1704. 

John, b. Jan. 25, 1714. John and his wife, Lydia, of Camb. sold 
land in Lex. in 1735, to Jonathan Robinson. 



Thomas Whitmore m. Mary, dau. of Samuel Waters of Woburn. 
She was ad. to the church in Lex. April 10, 1709. In May follow- 
ing eight of their children were bap. It is uncertain how long 
Thomas Whitmore resided in Lex. In 1696, Hugh Day of Camb. 
Farms, sold land in Camb. Farms to Thomas Whitmore of Wat. 
This purchase included a house and twenty acres of land. In 1698, 
Thomas Whitmore of Camb. Farms, sold the same land to Josiah 
Whitney. He had seven acres given him, in 1707, by the proprie- 
tors of Billerica. He removed to Killingly, Conn., and is said to 
have died there, Jan. 23, 1751 ; but we suspect an error in the date. 



Tlwmas, b. Nov. 4, 1694. 
Samuel, b. Sept. 22, 1698. 
Daniel, b. Feb. 22, 1702. 
Eaiinah, '^ bap. with another ( 
Ej)hraim, > sister, Abigail, ■ 
Sarah, ) May 29, 1709 ; ( 



23 Francis, b. Sept. 5, 1696. 
25 Marj/, b. Sept. 4, 1700. 

m. Oct. 22, 1722, David Cady. 

m. May, 1730, Benj. Lovejoy. 



Joseph Whitmore m. Feb. 13, 1699, Mary, dau. of Thomas 
Kendall. May 9, 1703, he and his wife were ad. to the ch. in Lex., 
and on the 6th of June following, Joseph, probably their first child, 
was bap., being b. Feb. 17, 1700. As he w.is subsequently of Wo. 
he may have resided there at this time. They were dismissed to the 
ch. in Wo. Feb. 20, 1704. 



Francis Whitmore. Though he was chosen hog-reeve in 1714, 
significant intimation that he may have changed his situation in 



264 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



5-13- 



13-30 
31 



1- 2 



life, we find no record of his marriage or of any children, and hence 
infer that he was never married. He d. Dec. 20, 1758. 



Samuel Whitmoke m. Jan. 7, 1720, Bcthia Page. She was ad. 
to the ch. June 1-4, 1724. He was a tythingman in 1723, which 
shows that he was a man of sobriety of character. He d. Aug. 17, 
1724, about three months after his father. 

Rebecca, bap. Jan. 15, 1721. 

Daniel, b. Feb. 21, 1725. He was a posthumous son. He m. 1746, 
Elizabeth Townsend, and lived in Boston, where, in 1748, they 
executed a deed of their land in Lex. to Jonathan Robinson. He 
probably left no sons, and possibly no issue. 



1- 2 
4 
6 
6 



By deaths and removals from town, the name of Whitmore has long 
since become extinct in Lex. In 1852, Charles 0. Whitmore, a 
wealthy merchant in Boston, purchased him a summer residence in 
Lex., which he has fitted up in fine style, and rendered it one of the 
most spacious and attractive dwellings in the town. He is a direct 
descendant of the fifth generation from John, the second son of the 
original Francis Whitmore. 

Charles O. Whitmore, son of William D. and Rhoda (Wood- 
ward) Whitmore, was b. Nov. 2, 1807, in Bath, Me. He m. Lovice 
Ayres. She d. Sept. 27, 1849, and he m. Oct. 30, 1851, Mary E. 
Blake, wid. of George Blake, Jr. of Boston. He had by his first 
wife the following children. 

Charles J., h. April 27, 1834; m. June 8, 1858, Sarah Olcott 
Murdoch Blake, dau. of the above mentioned Geo. Blake, Jr., 
and has four children. 

William n.,h. Sept. 6, 1836. To him the writer is indebted for 
information concerning this family. 

Martlia H., b. Sept. 5, 1838. 

Anna L., b. Sept. 16, 1840; m. Nov. 7, 1867, Philip L. Van Rens- 
selaer of New York. 

Charlotte R., b. March 9, 1843. 

Creighton, b. Dec. 16, 1845 ; d. April 25, 1848. 



THE WHITNEY FAMILY. 

This name, like the preceding, appears early upon the Lex. 
records, but does not continue long. Eleazer Whitney was taxed 
at the Farms in 1693, '94, '95, and '96 ; and d. Feb. 1697. 

Isaiah Whitney and wife, Sarah, owned the covenant May 4, 
1696, when one of their children, probably their first, was bap. ' He 
d. Jan. 7, 1712. 



Mary, bap. May 4, 1696. 



3 Isaiah, bap. July, 1700. 



m. Aug. 2, 1720, Andrew Parker. 

Q. Dec. 8, 1736, Rebecca Winship. 

^6raAam, bap.'Feb. 19, 1710. 7 Jonas, bap. Nov. 25, 1711. 



Sarah, bap. April 22, 1703 ; m ^ . 

Elijah, bap. April 3, 1707 ; m. Dec. 8, 1736, Rebecca Winship. 



THE WHITTEMORE FAMILY. 

Thomas Whittemore came to Maiden at an early day, where he 
owned real estate, and had a family. He is supposed to be the an- 
cestor of the Lex. Whittemores. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



265 



^AT^ANIEL Whittemore, a grandson of Thomas, and son of 
Nathaniel and Mary, was b. Sept. 26, 1670. He m. Sarah French. 
He and his wife were ad. to the ch. in Lex. April 21, 1720. She d.' 

Aug. 1.5, 1734:, and he m. Abigail . He d. 1754. His Will", 

dated Feb. 22, 17.52, and proved Jan. 6, 17-5.5, mentions wife Abi- 
gail, sons Nathaniel and Jacob, and sister Rebecca. He was an 
assessor in 1719, and constable 1720. He resided on the Concord 
road, near the Concord line, in the neighborhood of Thomas Nelson. 
He was an almanac maker, and published about 1707. He was a 
man of more than ordinary education for that day ; was often era- 
ployed as a surveyor. He also sold drugs, and hence is often de- 
nominated Doctor, in the records. One number of his almanacs has 
its position in the scale of time thus fixed: " For the Year of Our 
Lord 1707, being third after leap year. From the Creation, o6.5G ; 
from Noah's Flood, 4000; from the building of London, 2814; from 
the death of Alex, the Great, 2030 ; from the Discovery of America, 
215 ; The reign of our Gracious Queen Anne the 6th." Another, of 
1724, shows his loyalty, and the spirit of the times, thus : " O Heaven, 
crown our Great and Gracious King with length of days and lasting 
peace. Beneath his feet let all his foes stoop down ; let him be a 
nursing father, while on earth he reigns ; and of (Jod's church great 
care may he take, and Christ will him reward with lasting gain. God 
save the Kinir." 



1- 2 j TJiomas, b. Sept. 21, 1718. 

3 ] Jacob, b. March 3, 1722. 

4 I Sarah, bap. April 4, 1724; d. Aug. 15, 1734. 
Abigail, b. Dec. 8, 1725. 

6 John. b. Aug. 27, 1727; d. the Jan. following. 

7 \Nathaniel, b. June 26, 1729; m. Jemima Dunton of Bedford. 



1_3« Jacob Whittemore m. Oct. 28, 1746, Esther Whittemore of 

Con. Shed. 1753, and hem second, Dec. 5, 1754, Elizabeth Hoar of 
Con. She d. and he m. third, Oct. 19, 1759, Deborah Flagg. He 
d. Jan. 21, 1780. His Will, proved June 16, 1780, mentions dau. 
Esther Brown, Sarah Reed, and wife Elizabeth. Jacob Whittemore 
was ad. to the ch. in Lex. March 21, 1754, being dismissed from the 
ch. in Concord. 

3- 8 Esther, b. Oct. 24, 1748; m. June 12, 1769, Benj. Brown of Tem- 

] pleton. 

9 Jonathan, h. kng. 22,11 bO. „ ,__^ ,, ^ , r xkt 

10 Sarah, b. Nov. 1, 1751; m. April 23, 1//0, Moses Reed of Wo. 

He had two other children by his first wife, who d. m early 

infancy. ^ 



1-7- 



Nath^xiel Whittemore m. Nov. 1, 1752, Jemima Dunton of 
Red There is some difficultv in fixing the residence and marriage 
of Nathaniel Whittemore. the Bedford record, in gmng the mar- 
riain. as above, speaks of him as " of Lexington." The_ Lexington 
ch records have the following, under date of June 6,,l.o6 : Bap- 
tized Abigail Whittemore of Nathaniel, the father having owned tlve 
o^.nt ^"t I incoln " He also had Jemima, bap. at Line. Aug. 7, 
n?3 Ward in hi; History of Shrewsbury, gives the following: 
'.Nathaniel Whittemore. (supposed originally from Weston or vicin- 
ity,) Aug 17, 1753, -' ^-ah. dau. of Lul^ R c. » -s J - 
called of Shrewsbury ChiL ^^^^^'^^^^^^^^^^ ^i,, 24, 1760; 

I'^'V A;rU k^'nS.'N thanld Whittemore d. in 1765. and his 



266 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



wid. m. March 31, 1774, George Harrington of Brookfield." There 
was a Nathaniel Whitteniore and his wife, Mary, in Charlestown, in 
1670, who had a son, Nathaniel, b. Sept. 26, 1670; these probably 
were the parents of the Nathaniel who settled in Lexington. 



There were other Whittemores in Lexington, from time to time, 
but we can give no connected view of them. 

Pelatiah Whittemore, ad. to the ch. April 14, 1728. 

Nathan Whittemore, bap. Feb. 7, 1750. 

Deborah Whittemore, ad. to the ch. April 21, 1751. 

Sarah Whittemore, of Deborah, bap. Nov. 3, 1751. 

Submit Whittemore, ad. to the ch. Jan. 18, 1756 ; m. March 23, 

1762, Jonas Mason. 
Jonas Whitney, of Narragansett No. 2 (now Westminster), and 

Sarah Whittemore of Lexington were united in marriage, Sept. 27, 

1757. 
Joel Whittemore was taxed in Lex. from 1750 to 1752 inclusive. He 

may have gone to Shrewsbury, and m. April 28, 1761, Rezinah 

Rand. 

The name of Whittemore, should never be confounded with Whit- 
more, as the families are believed to be distinct. 



1- 2 
3 
4 
6 



THE WILLIAMS FAMILY. 

Rev. Avery Williams, formerly a clergyman in Lex., was b. 
Jan. 9, 1782, in Guildford, Vt. His father. Rev. Henry Williams, 
being then pastor of the church at that place, but afterwards remov- 
ing to Leverett, Mass., Avery's childhood and youth were passed 
there. He grad. Dartmouth C. 1804, studied Theology at Prince- 
ton, N. J. He m. Feb. 25, 1807, Clarissa Grennell of Greenfield, 
and was settled in Lex. Dec. 30, 1807. He left Lex. in 1815, in 
consequence of ill health, and went South in hopes of relief; but 
disease had so far impaired his constitution, that his journey was un- 
availing. He d. at Spartansburg, S. C, Feb. 4, 1816. His widow 
was living in Greenfield a i%vr years since. He published a Century 
Sermon on the anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Lex- 
ington, which shows him a man of good talents, careful research, 
and faithful as a historian. 

Clarissa G., b. April 14, 1810. 
Lydia Maria, b. April 1, 1812; died in childhood. 
Mary D., b. Feb. 11, 1814; resides at Greenfield. 
Avery, b. Feb. 14, 1816 ; m. Eliza Squire of Lanesboro'. He studied 
medicine and was residing, when last heard from, atBuflFalo, N. Y. 



THE WILSON FAMILY. 

James Wilson was in Camb. Farms, 1693, when he was taxed 
for the purchase of the ministerial land. He was assessor in 1703, 

and constable in 1713. He m. Deborah . They were ad. to 

the ch. Feb. 6, 1699. They buried a child in 1696, and two in 1703. 
There was also a John Wilson taxed in 1696, but this is the only 
record we find of him. The Wilsons probably left town early, as no 
one of the name appears on the earliest town tax bills extant, viz., 
1729 and 1735. James Wilson, from Lexington, settled in Leices- 
ter, 1721. This was probably the family. 



1- 2 
3 
4 

6 

8 

10 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 

James, bap. Aug. 1G99 ; probably settled in Bed. and d. 17o3 
Deborah, bap. Aug. 1699 ; d. Dec. 14, 1703 



267 



Abigail, bap. Aug. 1(]99. 

John, bap. Sept. 17, 1704. 

Margaret, bap. Nov. 24, 1706. 
_ Thomas, bap. May 14, 1710. 
12 Jonathan, bap. Oct. 31, 1714. 



5 Ebenezer, bap. Oct. 8, 1699. 
7 William, bap. May 27, 1705. 
9 Hannah, liap. July 20, 1708. 
11 Phebe, bap. May 29, 1713. 



The name appears several times in connection with the history 
of Lexmgton, but it is uncertain whether they were related to this 
family. Hezekiah Dunkley m. Damaris Wilson, Oct. 17, 1734. 
Sergeant Robert Wilson, Robert Wilson, Jr., and Barnabas Wilson 
were in the French War from Lex. in 1756, and Robert also in 1758. 
Jaines Wilson was in the Continental army from Lex. in the Revo- 
lution. 



THE WINSHIP FAMILY. 

The Winships were among the first settlers in Lexington, and 
were for a long period among the most numerous and respectable 
families. They were the descendants of 

Edward Winship of Cambridge. He was made freeman in 1635, 
was a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Co., 1638, 
was selectman of Cambridge eleven years, between 1637 and 1684. 
He was representative in 1663, '64, '81 and '86. He also held a 
commission in the militia, and was dignified with the title of Lieu- 
tenant Winship. He was also an active and honored member of the 
church. He was twice married. His first wife was Jane, who d. 
between 1648 and 1651; his second wife was Elizabeth. He d. Dec. 
2, 1688, in the 76th year of his age, and his widow, Elizabeth, d. 
Sept. 19, 1690, in her 58th year. It is believed that all the Win- 
ships in the vicinity descended from Lieutenant Edward. His AVill 
was dated 1685, and as it casts considerable light upon this family, 
I will cite the portions which relate to the Lexington branches. 

1. " I give to my son Ephraim, the lot of land whereon his house 
standeth, both all the meadow and upland he hath now in his 
possession." 

2. " I give to my son Edward, all my land that lieth on the east 
side of the brook, whereon a sawmill standeth, except that which I 
bought of Edward Methelson, and twelve acres in my own Great 

l\iC*0,QOW 

3 "I'o-ive to my son Samuel, one hundred acres of land or 
thereabours, some of it measured by David Fiske, about eighty acres 
upon the west side of Concord way, next to his brother Ephraim s 
line and another tract of land on the east side of Concord way." 

4 He gave land on Alewife brook to Joseph, another son ; and 
mentions i/ary, Elizabeth and Abigail, his daughters. 

His widow's Will, dated 1689, mentions dau. Elizabeth, Abigail, 
Maro-erv and Mehitabel. , . ^, , ^ 

Lieutenant Winship was a large landholder, not only in Old Cam- 
bridcre, but at the Farms, where he had land assigned h.m as early as 
1S42! He owned, as will be seen by his Will a large {ract of land 
within the present limits of Lexington, extending from Lowell street 
Icross the brook to the hill west of Main street, upon the present 
fine of Arlin<rton. including the mill site. Mount Ephraim and a 
ortion of he G eat Meadow. Living as his descendants did, upon 
he borders of Lexington and Cambridge, their association was 



268 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 

3 

6 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

1-5- 



1-6- 



1-9- 



partly with one town, and partly with the other; and hence the 
record of the family is sometimes in one town, and sometimes in the 
other, which makes it very difficult to trace the families. 

Mary, b. June 8, 1638 ; d. young. 

Sarah, b. 1639. 4 Mary, b. Aug. 5, 1641. 

\Ephraim, b. July 9, 1643; d. Oct. 19, 1696. 

\Joanna, b. Aug. 1, 1645; d. Nov. 19, 1707. 

Edward, b. June 18, 1648 ; d. same day. 

Elizabeth, b. April 15, 1652. 

\Edward, b. March 3, 1654. 

Abigail, b. Feb. 13, 1656 ; m. William Russell, May 8, 1683. 

^Samuel, b. Oct. 24, 1658; m. April 12, 1687, Mary Powers. 

\Joseph, b. June 21, 1661 ; m. Sarah Harrington. 

Margery, b. Dec. 10, 1664; m. May 12, 1687, John Dixon. 

Mehitabel, b. Nov. 19, 1667. 



Ephraim Winship m. April 7, 1670, Hannah Rogers, who d. 
Dec. 20, 1674. He m. second, Dec. 19, 1675, Elizabeth Kendall of 
Woburn. He resided on the place described in his father's Will, in 
the extreme easterly part of the town. He must have come to the 
place early. He was a subscriber for the meeting house in 1692, 
and on the organization of the parish in 1693, he was one of the 
assessors. He was also a member of the committee chosen to treat 
with the town of Cambridge in relation to the purchase of land for 
the ministry, and an assessor, 1694. He d. at Lexington, Oct. 19, 
1696. His widow removed her relation to the ch. in Lex. from that 
of Woburn, immediately after the death of her husband. He had the 
honor of giving his name to a swell of land near his residence, which 
is to this day kilown as " Mount Ephraim." He probably had no 
children. In the settlement of his estate, mention is made of Sarah 
Reed, their adopted dau. His widow, Elizabeth, administered upon 
the estate. She subsequently m. Joseph Pierce of Watertown. 



Joanna Winship d. unra. Nov. 19, 1707, aged 62. She was 
famous in her day as a school teacher ; and as our ancestors knew 
how to appreciate the character of a good school ma'am, they, under 
the influence of the muses, inscribed upon her monumental stone, 
this plaintive strain — this melting elegy : 

" This good school Dame 

No longer school must keep. 
Which gives us cause 
For children's sake, to weep." 



Edward Winship m. May 14, 1683, Rebecca Barsham, who d. 
Aug. 1717, aged 61. He d. in Camb. June 10, 1718, aged 64. He 
was selectman of Camb. 1691, '93, '95 and 1701. Though he owned 
land in Cambridge Farms, he resided on the Cambridge side of the 
line. He d. testate ; and by his Will, proved 1718, and by an 
instrument signed by his heirs, it appears that he had seven children 
living at the time of his death. He gave to his oldest son Edward, 
" the house he dwelleth in, and fifty acres of land adjoining, bounded 
as follows : beginning near the town road leading from old Mr. 
Munroe's, towards Menotomy," &c. (This is the present Lowell 
street.) He gave to his son Ephraim, " all that parcel of land 
whereon he dwells, and the interest I have in the house he now 
dwells in, which was formerly my brother Ephraim's, lying on the 
southwest side of the county road." Both of these bequests were of 
land lying in Lexington, and they show that his sons Edward and 
Ephraim were then living in Lexington, 



GENEALOGICAI, llEGISTER. 



2G9 



9-15 
If) 
17 

18 

19 
20 
21 

1-11- 



11-22 

23 



1-12- 



12-25 
2G 
27 

9-15- 



15-28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 

9-17- 



\Edward, b. Jan. 9, 1084; m. Sarah Manninp;. 
Elizabeth, b. June 1, 108(5; m. April 3, nOtCWultcr Russell. 
\Ephraim, b. Feb. 4, 1G88 ; m. June 17, 1708, Hannah Cutler 
^Nathaniel, h. Feb. 16, 1689; m. Feb. 11, 1713, Rebecca Tierce of 
\\ oburn. 

William, b. . 

\John, b. ; m. Oct. 2, 1718, Elizabeth Wyeth. 

Jason, b. 1699. 



17-35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 
41 

9-18- 

18-42 
44 



Samuel Winship m. April 12, 1687, Mary Powers of Mcdford. 
He resided in the precinct, and was a subscriber for the nieetin"- 
house in 1692, and for the purchase of the Connnon in 1711, and his 
name is upon the tax bills from the first. He was seleotman-in 1728, 
'29, '30, '32 and '33. He d. June 18, 1696. 

\Samud, b. Jan. 8, 1688; m. June 10. 1712, Jane Fesscnden. 



Mary, b. Dec. 12, 1689. 



24 Elizabeth, b. Dec. 26, 1691. 



Joseph Wixship m. Nov. 24, 1687, Sarah Harrington of Water- 
town. She d, Nov. 28, 1710. They resided in West Cambridge, 
where he d. Sept. 18, 1725. They had the following and probably 
other children. 



Joanna, b. Jan. 14, 1689; d. Dec. 17, 1716. 
Joseph, b. Feb. 28, 1701 ; m. about 1722, Anne 
Margaret, b. Aug. 8, 1703. 



Edward Winship m. about 1705, Sarah Manning. He was a 
tythingman in Lexington, 1714; fence viewer, 1716; constable, 
1717. lie 0. c. in Lex. Sept. 1, 1706. He d. May 15, 1763, aged 
88 years. 

\Edward, b. Aug. 25, 1706. 

Rebecca, h. Aug. 22, 1709 ; m, June 16, 1728, John Manning. 

Sarah, h. June 28, 1712. 

Jonathan, b. May 28, 1713; d. young. 

Mary, b. June 25, 1716. 

^Jonathan, b. May 28, 1719 ; m. Elizabeth Cutler. 

]Isaac, b. June 8, 1724. 



Ephraim Winship ra. June 17, 1708, Hannah Cutler. He was 
a subscriber for the purchase of the Common in 1711. In 1717, he 
was chosen surveyor of highways, tythingman in 1721, constable, 
1728. Not Ephraim alone was employed by the town, but his wife, 
by vote of the inhabitants, was employed to keep a school in her 
part of the town. He and his wife were ad. to the ch. Oct. 12, 1718. 
She d. April 9, 1764, aged 77. He d. July 16, 1757, aged 70. 

] Ephraim, b. May 23, 1709 ; m. Aug. 28, 1735, Mehitabel Cutler. 

\Richard, b. July 25, 1711. 

Daniel b Aug. 27, 1713; d. Dec. 8, same year. 

Joshua, b. Feb. 17, 1715; was in the West India service, 1^40. 

^:S. t^^8!^72?f m. Lucy Hastings of Waltham, 1746. 
BetUali, b. Feb. 11, 1724; d. March 19, 1/40. 



Nathaniel Winship, m. Feb^, 1713. Rebecca Pierce of Wo. 

T77- T..fi, h Oct 13 1714. 43 Nathaniel, b. Dec. 27, 1716. 

f r/c* D?e 7? lh7 ; m. Dec. 8, 1736, Ellj.aU WU.nc,. 
92 



270 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



45 

46 



9-20- 



20-47 
48 
50 
51 
52 

53 

54 
55 
66 

11-22- 



Martla, b. June 21, 1720; d. July 8, 1746, unm. 
Abigail, b. March 25, 1722 ; d. July same year. 



John Winship m. Oct. 2, 1718, Elizabeth Wyeth. He probably 
m. as a second wife, about 1730, Bethiah . He d. July 18, 1747. 

Josiali, b. Oct. 1, 1719 ; d. young. 

Elizabeth, b. March 24, 1721. 49 Ruth, b. June 14, 1726. 

John, b. Nov. 8, 1728. 

Thaddeus, b. March 8. 1731 ; d. June 3, 1747. 

James, b. Sept. 27, 1733; m. April 15, 1762, Lydia Phillips of West 

Cambridge. 
Ebenezer, b. Sept. 80, 1735 ; m. Aug. 19, 1756, Elizabeth Raymond. 
Bethiah, b. March 19, 1739; d. March 18, 1740. 
Josiah, b. July 18, 1741. 
Eliot, b. 1743; m. June 16, 1768, Edward Crafts of Boston. 



Samuel Winship m. June 10, 1711, Jane Fessenden, dau. of 
Nicholas and Margaret Fessenden. He was High Sheriff of Middle- 
sex CO. He o. c. Sept. 21, 1712, when his first child was bap. His 
wife d. Jan. 12, 1771 ; be d. Feb. 13, 1776, aged 88. 

22-57 \Samuel, b. Sept. 25, 1712; m. May 22, 1735, Hannah Loring. 
58 Martha, b. Dec. 27, 1714; m. William Bowers of Billerica. 
69 Margaret, b. Dec. 25, 1718; d. May 25, 1791, unm. 



15-28- 



28-60 
61 
62 
63 
64 
65 
66 
67 

15-33- 



33-69 

70 
72 
74 
76 

77 

15-34- 



34-78 
79 
80 
81 



Edward Winship m. Esther . She d. Oct. 10, 1785 ; he d. 

Dec. 7, 1773, aged 69. 

\ Thomas, b. Oct. 25, 1729 ; m. May 28, 1755, Sarah Harrington. 

Benjamin, b. April 12, 1731. 

\Edioard, b. Jan. 18, 1733 ; m. Feb. 9, 1757, Hepzibah Laughton. 

\Joel, b. Nov. 13, 1734; m. Elizabeth Grant of Sudbury. 

Amos, b. Dec. 12, 1736; d. May 9, 1740. 

Marij, bap. 1738. 

Esther, b. Jan. 21, 1739; d. April 28, 1789, unm. 

Evebell, b. Feb. 2, 1743. 68 Joshua, b. Jan. 27, 1748. 



Jonathan Winship m. Dec. 3, 1741, Isabel Cutler of Carab. 

She d. and he m. about 1746, Elizabeth . He was ad. to the 

ch. by a letter from the ch. in Camb. May 21, 1754. She was ad. 
June 18, 1758. 

Jonathan, b. Jan. 18, 1747 ; dismissed, 1772, to the ch. in Mason, 



N. H. 

Joshua, b. June 27, 1748. 
Hepzibah, b. Feb. 15, 1753. 
Elizabeth, b. May 23, 1757. 
Nathaniel, b. June 23, 1762. 



71 Amos, b. Dec. 19, 1750. 
73 Martj, b. Feb. 18, 1755. 
75 Lucij, b. Feb. 9, 1760. 



Edmund, b. Oct. 2, 1765 ; m. Nov. 22, 1789, Lucy Learned. 



Isaac Winship m. Hannah . He was in the French and In- 
dian war, in 1755. He d. April 8, 1783, and his son, Isaac, adminis- 
tered upon his estate. 

Hannah, b. Dec. 26, 1746 ; d. July 23, 1749. 
\Isaac, b. April 7, 1749 ; m. Sarah Fessenden. 
Hannah, b. May 4, 1752 ; d. young. 
Sarah, b. May 12, 1764. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



271 



82 
S3 
84 
8G 
87 
88 
90 
02 



Pliehe, b. July 23, 1755; m. May 11, 1779, Ebcnezcr Iladley. 
Hannah, b. April 25, 1757; m. May, 1779, Jonatlian Marljlis. 
Eunice, b. Feb. 28, 1758. 85 Grace, b. iMay 17, 1759. 

Rebecca, b. May 20, 1760. 

Richard, b. Nov. 30, 1762; lie was a soldier in the Revolution. 
Martha, b. Feb. 12, 17G4 89 Prudence, b. May 2, 17G5. 

Benjamin, bap. Oct. 12, 1766. 91 Nehemiah, b. April 4, 1767. 
Lydia, b. April 3, 1769. 



17_35_ Ephraim WiNsniP m. Auj 



Brown, Dotn 01 Winanam, leit tiie lort j^ior saiety required tnein lo 
live in garrisons) for the purpose of laboring upon Brown's lot, 
about a mile distant. Knowing that the Indians were lurking about 
in the region, they took the precaution to engage a guard of four 
men and four lads. In passing through a thick wood, when Win- 
ship and Brown were about fifty rods in advance of tlie guard, they 
were fired upon by fifteen or twenty Indians, who lay in ambush. 
Brown fell dead upon the spot. Winship received two balls, one in 
the eye, and another in the arm, and fell to the ground, — where both 
were scalped by the Indians. A portion of the guard fled to the fort 
to "-ive the alarm, while tlie remainder, and among them (lersliom 
VVi'iiship, the oldest son of Ephraim, who was born before the fanuly 
left Lexington, and then about twenty years of age, boldly rushed 
upon the sava"-es, who were more than three times their number, 
and finally put them to liight. The Indians were led by Poland, 
their chief When the guard approached, the Indians concealed 
themselves behind the trees, that they might be secure fn.m the shots 
of their pursuers, and that they might step from their hiding places 
and fire upon the citizens, before they were aware of their presence 
Poland was the first to break the silence ; he stepped from behind 
the tree, discharged his musket, and immediately concealed t.imsel 
a-ain'to reload. In his eagerness to reload Ins piece, that ''^ ""K 't 
hive another shot, his body became partially exposed, and he re- 
ceived a fatal shot from one of their pursuers _ The Indians gathere 
around their fallen chief, and gave one oi^ their infernal yells, which 
vaTr^tered by a volley from the little Spartan ba-l ^v ich k. U.d 
or mortally wounded two more of heir number. Ihe Indians imme 
r f„lv Hprl carrvino- ofii" their dead and wounded. 
If tlfe time V^^^^^^^^ received these wounds, he was a wnlowcr 

u- Tf M hitabel having died, leaving six children. W msh.p 
his wife, Meh tabi-b vH ^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^^ 

recovered from 1.S -^^^^^^ ,^.,^ , l.tchet, leaving him for 
^r\ t'cv took the wo scalps in consequence of his having, as is 
dead. _ ^^^"^j;';'^'' '7^' crown upon his head. In taking the scalps, 
sometimes the ^-^f ' ^^^ J^^in from his forehea<l directly over the top 
they left ^^^^'^f/'P^X aJW^ hi'" a very singular appear- 
'^ '" ^rf?;r tJ^^ msfortut h/m second wife, by whom he had 
ance. After ths misfortune ^^^^ ^^ 1766, aged oo. 

five more children . "«^- J';, "centennial Ad.lress of T. L. Sn.ith. 
These facts were obtained fo^^^^^^^^^ ^^.^^ ^^^^^^^ 

Esq., delivered at Windham, J ui>*, ^yinship were b. before 
^^:T: JrXt b.^Mr;fo%^6, and /ehitaM, b. July 
28, 1738. . . — ■ 



272 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



36- 93 
94 
95 
96 
97 
98 
99 
101 



22-57- 



57-103 

104 
105 
106 
107 

108 
109 
110 
111 
112 
113 



28-60- 



60-114 
116 
117 
118 
119 

120 
121 



28-62- 



62-122 
124 

126 



28-63- 



dated Nov. 28, 1768, and proved Jan. 7, 1769, mentions eight chil- 
dren then living, viz., Abigail, Ephraira, Hannah, Grace,' Rebecca, 
Richard, Prudence, and Nehemiah. He d. Dec. 13, 1768, aged 58 ; 
she d. 1776, and Nehemiah Estabrook administered upon her estate. 
He was constable in 1750, and tythingman in 1758. 

Prudence, b. March 12, 1749; d. Oct. 2, 1751. 

Abigail, b. Jan. 2, 1751. 

Ephraim, b. June 25, 1753 ; m. April 8, 1777, Susanna Marion. 

Prudence, b. July 16, 1756 ; d. young. 

Hannah, b. April 25, 1757. 

Grace, b. May 17, 1759 ; probably m. Simon Childs of Cambridge. 

Rebecca, b. May 20, 1760. 100 Richard, b. Nov. 30, 1762. 

Prudence, b. May 2, 1765. 102 Nehemiah, b. April 23, 1767. 



Samuel Winship m. May 22, 1735, Hannah Loring, dau. of Jo- 
seph and Lydia (Fiske) Loring. She d. Julv 27, 1747, and he ra. 
May 5, 1748, Abigail Crosby of Billerica. He d. Feb. 16, 1780, 
aged 68. 

Hannali, b. April 26, 1736 ; m. March 20, 1760, Richard Francis of 

Medford. 
Lydia, b. Feb. 14, 1738 ; d. May, 1754. 
Elizabeth, b. May 23, 1740. 
Martha, b. May 12, 1742; d. Jan. 8, 1746. 
Samuel, b. April 17, 1744; m. July 4, 1771, Rebecca Johnson of 

Lynn. 
Loring, b. Dec. 10, 1746; d. May 11, 1754. 

\8imon, b. Nov. 2, 1749; m. May 21, 1776, Joanna Abbott of Bil. 
John, b. June 16, 1752 ; d. April 7, 1754. 

\John, b. May 12, 1754 ; m. Deliverance . 

\stephen, b. Feb. 23, 1756 ; m. Feb. 5, 1787, Edith Merriam. 
Abigail, b. May 18, 1759. 



Thomas Winship m. May 28, 1755, Sarah Harrington, dau. of 
Henry and Sarah Harrington. He probably had one child before 
Henry, mentioned below. He d. Aug. 4, 1796. He was one of the 
brave band Avho rallied under Capt. Parker, April 19, 1775. He 
was selectman, 1779 and '81 ; assessor six years. 

Ee7iry, bap. Nov. 11, 1759. 115 Isabel, b. March 29, 1762. 

Anna, h. April 18, 1764. 

\Thomas, b. April 12, 1766; m. April 11, 1793, Anna Harrington. 
Moses, b. June 20, 1768. 

\Jonathan, b. Sept. 14, 1770; m. first, Martha , and second, 

Elizabeth Coggen. 
Joel, b. April 18, 1773 ; m. Nov. 14, 1792, Phebe Hill of Camb. 
Eunice, b. ; m. Nov. 2, 1800, Jonas Locke. 



Edward Winship m. Feb. 9, 1757, Hepzibah Laughton, dau. of 
Dea. John and Sarah Laughton. 



Amos, b. Feb. 6, 1758. 
John, b. Feb. 16, 1762. 
Oliver, b. May 8, 1767. 



123 Esther, b. March 4, 1760. 
125 Edward, b. Oct. 15, 1764. 



Joel Winship m. Jan. 15, 1755, Elizabeth Grant of Sud. They 
moved to Royalston. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



273 



127 I EUzaheth, b. March 14, 1755 ; m. Fiskc ; went to Barrc 

128 Dorcas, b. June 24, 1758 ; d. 1807, unin. 

129 Joel, b. May 1, 1761 ; went to Queensburg, N. Y. 



34-79- 



IsAAC WiNsniP m. March 4. 1773, Sarah Fessenden. lie was m. 
as of Medford, where he resided at the time. Wlien he returned to 
Lex. does not appear ; but as he was taxed in 1785, it is probable 
that he returned soon after the death of his fatiicr, which occurred 
in 1783, and his son, Isaac, administered upon tiie estate, lie d. 
Nov. 29, 1834, aged 85 ; she d. Feb. 12, 1834, aged 80. He was 
an assessor from 1793 to 1814, inchisive. We can find no record of 
his family, and have to depend upon the imperfect recollection of one 
of his descendants. 



79-130 Isaac, b. - 

131 Jonas, b. • 

132 Sarah, b. 



133 

134 

135 
136 



57-109- 



109-137 

138 

57-111- 



111-139 



Thaddeus, h. 

no record, 

Hannah, b. - 

Lydia, b. 



moved to Portland. 

lived in Portland, was twice married. 
; m. John Frost. 
— ; m. Mary Walker. He had a family, but left 



-; m. Leonard Johnson, 
m. John Frost. 



\ Oliver, b. Nov. 12, 1794; has been twice married. 



Simon Winship m. May 21, 1776, Joanna Abbott of Billerica. 
They o. c. July 20, 1777, when their first child, Joanna, was bap- 
tized. He d. <Ian. 4, 1813, and Elias Maynard of Boston was ap- 
pointed guardian of his widow, as a no7i compos. She d. Feb. 2, 
1826. He was in service in the Jersies, in 1776, and sergeant in 
1777. 

Joanna, b. May 4, 1777. 

Oliver Abbott, b. March 5, 1779 ; d. Oct. 11, 1792. 



John Winship m. Deliverance . He d. in West Camb. 

April, 1825, and his widow administered upon his estate. He was a 
soldier in Capt. Parker's co. 1775, also served in the first campaign 
of ei"-ht months and twelve months. New York. 



141 
143 
145 



57-112- 



John, b. Dec. 28, 1779_. 
Charles, b. June 30, 1784. 
Polly, b. April 26, 1788. 
Magus, b. Aug. 4, 1793. 



140 Stephen, b. July 15, 1782. 
142 Sally, b. July 23, 1786. 
144 Henry, b. June "^8, 1790. 



112-146 
147 
148 
149 
150 
151 
152 
153 

154 
155 



Stephen Winship m. Feb. 5, 1787, Edith Merriam, dau. of Ben- 

A,„/7,',-« b Mav 10, 1791: lives in Camb. 

^ovhia b March 3, 1795 ; lives at Cambndgeport. 
?Sa. b. April 30. 1798; d- /an. 16 1819 unm 
T ■,;^ \ Feb n 1800; m. March 2b, 1822, i. K. i--- ^^^ne. 
«:r il-t, b. Marib 8, 18U2; m. Marob 8, 1837, li,ll,„g, 
Smith. 

tus Wellington, and d. Dec. 26, 1841, aged 3i. 



274 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



60-117- 



117-156 
157 

60-119- 



119-158 
159 
160 
161 
162 
163 
164 
165 

79-136- 

136-166 
167 
168 

169 

170 



1- 2 



2- 3 

4 
6 

7 
8 
9 



TnOMAS WiNSHiP m. April 11, 1793, Anna Harrington. They 
were ad. to the ch. April, 1795. He d. March 2, 1830, aged 64; 
she d. July 15, 1821, aged 55. 

Lucehia, h. May 2, 1794; m. Lot Reed. 

Emili/, bap. Jan. 29, 1797 ; m. Otis Reed of Bedford. 



Jonathan Winship m. Martha . She d. Jan. 10, 1799, and 

he m. May 12, 1800, Elizabeth Coggen of Natlck. She d. June 13, 
1823, aged 49 ; he d. July 22, 1825. 

Estlier, b. May 21, 1796 ; d. Aug. 15, 1810. 
Moses, h. Sept. 20, 1798 ; d. Feb. 4, 1799. 
Eliza, b.Feb. 3, 1801; d. Feb. 18, 1801. 

EiZ\'^-^''y^^''''-'\a.^o..e,iso7. 

Thomas Jeferson, b. May 6, 1805; d. Jan. 18, 1827. 
Anna, b. March 10, 1807. 
Henry Coggen, b. Sept. 6, 1810. 



Oliver Winship m. Sept. 10, 1820, Anna Fiske. She d. Oct. 
15, 1851, and he m. March 25, 1853, Amanda F. Chamberlain. 

Isaac A.,\). July 4, 1822 ; ni. in Cal. Elizabeth Brooks. 

Oliver M., b. March 6, 1823. 

Marij E., b. March 13, 1825; m. Dec. 31, 1846, William Daley of 

Cambridge. 
Charles F., b. July 16, 1828; m. Mary Holbrook. They have one 

child, Eddy Bigelow. 
Sarah, b. July 16, 1828, twin; m. Oct. 1866, George Hager; r. in 

California. 

The records of many of the Winship families are so imperfect, that 
it is impossible to trace their genealogy. Some families have neg- 
lected their record altogether, and hence it is impossible to bring 
them down to the present day. 



THE WINTER FAMILY. 

John Winter was a proprietor of Wat. in 1636, and d. in that 
place, 1662. His Will, dated March 4, 1661, and proved June, 
1662, mentions sons Richard and Thomas, late of London, dau. 
Alice Lockman of London, and son John of Wat., to whom he gave 
his landed property. He probably came from Camb. to Lex. He 
had land assigned between the eight mile line and Concord, in 1683. 

John Winter lived at Camb. Farms, where he d. Jan. 18, 1690. 
His Will, dated Dec. 12, 1689, makes no mention of his wife, who 
probably d. before him, but speaks of sons John, Thomas, and 
Samuel, and dau. Sarah, Hannah, and Mary. 

Joseph, b. ; d. at Camb. Farms, Dec. 10, *1690, being the 

first death mentioned in the Lex. records. 

\John, b. ; owned the covenant at Wat. June 22, 1690. 

Thomas, b. . 6 Samuel, h. . 

Sarah, b. ; d. Jan. 19, 1690, one day after her father. 

Hannah, b. 

Mary, b. 



m. Nov. 17, 1681, John Harrington. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



275 



2-4- 



JoHN Winter m. Abigail . He was a subscriber for the 

erection of a meeting bouse in Lex. 16U2, following the example of 
bis father, who bad subscribed for the same object before his death. 
She was ad. to the ch. April 9, 1699. They had Joseph, bap. April 
2, 1099; Bevjamhi, bap. Oct. 8, 1699; Iluth, bap. Sept. 22, 1702; 
Lijdia, bap. Aug. 15, 1703 ; James, bap. Sept. 30, 17U5 ; Isaac, bap. 
Nov. 3, 1706; EUzahetk, bap. Jan. 20, 1708. 

As the tax bills of 1729 and 1735 do not contain the name of Win- 
ter, and as no place was assigned when the meeting house was 
seated, in 1731, we infer that they had all left town belbre that period. 



AVRIGHT.— Elisha Wright came to Lex. about 185.5. He was 
b. in Washington, N. H., 1811, and m. Dec. 1836, Harriet Farmer, 
b. Feb. 22, 1811. He was son of Nathan, b. Feb. 1786, who was 
son of Jacob, b. Dec. 1758, who served in the Revolution, and m. 
Patty Reed. Jacob was son Jacob, of whose birth we have no 
record, but whose death occurred in 1763. Elisha, by liis wife 
Harriet, has five children, three sons, all of whom were in the U. S. 
service in the late Rebellion, and two daughters, as follows: 

Walter R., b. Aug. 22. 1838: m. Nov. 1860, LydiaKenniston, and 
has Minnie, b. Feb. 8, 1862, and Charles C. He served nine months 
in the army, in North Carolina. Willis L., b. Sept. U, 1841; he 
was nine months in the service. George W., b. June oO, 1843. 
I>ike his two brothers, he was one of the nine months' men who 
served in North Carolina to put down the rebellion. Hatiie A., b. 
June 9, 1850. Emma E. H., b. Oct. 22, 1852. The first three 
children were b. in Washington, N. H., the last two in Camb. Mass. 



There is another Wright family in town, which originated in Ashby, 
having no connection with the family above. 

Abfl Wright of Ashbv, m. first, Hayward of Acton. She 

d and he m. second, Rice of Ashburnham. He had a famdy of 

nineteen children. Isaac, their first child, b. Feb. 12, l-'JO, m- Ar- 
villa Kendall, dau. of Oliver Kendall of Ashby. They had nine 
children. He d. May 25, 1864. 

TiTKE W Wright, son of Isaac, b. Sept. 27, 1821 ; m. April 7, 
1846 Abigail Estabrook, dau. of Attai and Polly (Pierce-) Esta- 
1 {. of f ,>v b Dec 16,1819. He came to Lex. 1843. They 

;;:' h d d e'foliowi^g children. Sarah Ar^a^ b^ Oct. 5. ^8 ; 

Se^Me^^'.b.Dec. 11. l^i^ ; ^r^/mr ^^, b- Sept. 29, 18.4, 
d. Jan. 22, 1859 ; Alice Arthuretta, b. Jan . 29, 1861. 

THE WYMAN FAMILY. 
Sarah Nutt. 



276 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 



1-11- 



11-14 
15 
16 
17 

11-15- 



15-18- 



18-19 
20 
.21 
22 

23 

24 
25 

26 
27 
28 

18-20- 



20-29 



Francis Wyman, from whom our Lex. Wymans descended, m. 
Jan. 30, 1645, Judith Pierce of Wo. She dying, he m. second, Oct. 
2, 1G50, Abigail Reed. 

Judith, b. Sept. 29, 1652 ; d. Dec. 22, 1652. 
Francis, b. about 1654 ; d. unm. Aug. 26, 1676. 
William, b. about 1656; m. Prudence Putnam, and d. 1705. 
Abigail, b. about 1658; m. Stephen Richardson. 

Timothy, b. Sept. 15, 1661; m. Hannah . 

Joseph, b. Nov. 9, 1663; d. July 24, 1714, unm. 
Nathaniel, b. Nov. 25, 1665 ; ra'. Mary Winn, and d. 1691. 
Samuel, b. Nov. 29, 1667 ; m. 1692, Rebecca Johnson. 
Thomas, b. April 1, 1671 ; m. May 5, 1696, Mary Richardson. 
'^Benjamin, b. Aug. 25, 1674 ; m. Elizabeth Hancock of Cambridge. 
Stephen, b. June 2, 1676 ; d. Aug. 19, 1676. 
Judith, b. Jan. 15, 1679; m. Nathaniel Bacon. 



Benjamin Wyman ni. Jan. 20, 1702, Elizabeth Hancock of Camb. 
He d. Dec. 19, 1735, and she m. Aug. 22, 1739, Jonathan Brown of 
Bed. and d. 1749. Though Benjamin Wyman may not have resided 
long in Lex., he and his wife o. c. in the yjlace, June 24, 1705, when 
Elizabeth, their first child, was bap. Mrs. Wyman was probably 
sister to Rev. INlr. Hancock; which would account for their attending 
ch. in Lex., though their residence might have been out of town. 

Elizabeth, b. May 1, 1705; m. June 11, 1724, Jacob Richardson. 

\Benjamin, b. Nov. 13, or Dec. 17, 1706. 

Lucy, b. April 17, 1708 ; m. Nathaniel Davenport. 

Zedekiah, bap. Oct. 30, 1709. 



Benjamin Wyman m. Esther, dau. of Jacob Richardson of Wo. 
He was dignified by the title of captain. He resided in Wo. where 
he had a family, among whom was James, the immediate ancestor of 
the Lexington branch of the Wyman family. 

James Wyman b. June 29, 1741 ; m. Jan. 14, 1766, Anna Porter. 
He came from Wo. to Lex. in 1763, and so was ra. as of Lex. She 
d. and he m. second, Lydia Simonds. He d. Nov. 13, 1822. 

Anna, b. March 8, 1768 ; m. Nov. 19, 1795, Sweethen Reed. 

\James, b. Sept. 26, 1769. 

William, b. Dec. 11, 1771 ; moved to Westminster, Vt. 

Benjamin, b. March 20, 1774; m. Lucy Gardner, and d. 1849. No 

issue. 
Phebe, b. Feb. 9, 1776 ; d. April 8, 1805. 
Salhi, b. Oct. 18, 1778; d. April 7, 1782. 
Lydia, b. Feb. 9, 1781 ; d. unm. Dec. 1, 1861. 
Sally, b. June 20, 1783; m. March 13, 1810, John Crapo of Lynn. 
Lucy, bap. Nov. 27, 1785 ; d. young. 
Fi-ancis, b. April 11, 1789 ; m. Mrs. Margaret Wyman. 



James Wyman m. Jan. 25, 1798, Betsey Locke, dau. of Reuben 
Locke. He d. April 19, 1835, aged 67. Slie was burned to death 
in a house which took fire, when she was left in it alone, too infirm 
to help herself. 

James, b. April 18, 1798. He was for some time a partner in the 
mercantile house of Kittridge& Wyman, Boston. He m. Dec. 10, 
1823, Margaret Center, dau. of Cotton Center. She was divorced 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



277 



30 



from him, 1851, and m. Feb. 19, 18/52, Francis ^Yyman of Lex. 
an uncle of her first husband. James Wyman m. a second wife. 
Emelia, b. Oct. 18, 1801 ; d. jMay 9, 1803. 

31 \ Emelia, b. June 10, ISOo ; m. IMarch 31, 182.5, John Jolmson, 2d. 

32 Elbridge, b. March 1, 1805; formerly a merchant in Boston. 

33 William, b. Dec. 6, 1808 ; a machinist in Woburn. 

34 1 Anna P., b. . 



35 

36 
37 



Benjamin, b. July 1, 1816 ; m. Nov. 17, 1840, Lucy Ann Fuffer of 

Waltham. 

John G., b. . 

Susan E., b. Aug. 17, 1820; m. Jan. 17, 1838, Jewett B. Streeter 

of Lowell. 
Lucy A., b. April 2, 1825. 39 Francis 8., b. April 7, 1827. 



There were other Wymans iii Lex. from time to time, all from the 
same original stock, but through other branches ; nor was their resi- 
dence permanently in the town. 

James Wyman, the eldest son of David, of James, who was a 
gi-eat grand-son of the original Francis, was b. Feb. 8, 1825 ; m. in 
Lex. as his second wife, Abigail S. Harrington, who d. 1827. Hia 
first wife was Rhoda Robbins, and his third wife was Sophia Grover. 
He had ten sons and three dau. He resided in Lex., Burlington, 
and Dan vers. 

Henry Wy'MAN of Lancaster, a great grand-son of Francis of 
Wc, m. 1767, Sarah Mason of Lexington. 

Increase WyxMan, second son of Nathaniel, son of Francis of 
Wo was in Lex. 1756-59 ; was also of Lincoln, Burlington, and 
Billerica. He had a family of eight children by his wife Deborah 
Pierce Nathaniel, his second and youngest son, was kdled lu Lex. 
near the Common, on the morning of the 19th of Aprd, 17 /a, aged 
24 years. 



WILLIS -John Willis and his wife Elizabeth were in Duxbury 
as early as 1637. He was one of the first settlers of Bndgewater 
was a deacon there, and filled important town oflices, and represented 
Ihe town in the court of the colony some twenty years. He m Mr.. 
Flizabeth Palmer, and had six children. Benjamm, son oi John, m 
SuTanna dau of Thomas Whitman, by whom he had Thomas and 
^usanna, u.iu. ^ji vi;/.,hptli Thomas son of Benjanun, m. 

Benjamin, Susanna j^j^lj^ '^ ^,*^^1^;^ bad Sh children. Thomas, 

Sidney D., and 3Iartin W. 

T> . R Wtttis son of Thomas and Frances, was b. at Easton, 
Royal B Willis, son oi ± ^^ ^^_,^ Webster 

Sept. 3. 1812 ; m. Sq^t. 16 1833 I'hebe ^^;^^^^^ .^^ ^^^^ 

ofMethuen. He commenced bustss in no j,, i«4G, he 

sented the city ^-^^ ^i::^^^^:Z in Boston. He has 
removed to Lexington, ^""tmum^ ^^^^^^^ 

held a commission o ^ust ce of P«=^^- j^^^^ ;„ Cincinnati Ohio, 
he has been engaged in .^J^^^ ""' Lexin<^ton. They have had three 
keeping up his faou^y res., ence in Lexm« J^ 1834, d Sept. 

5f1SrS/1SS"b in Boston. Feb. 22. 1838; JuUa Au- 
l^M^a.b.'ia Boston. June 26, 184L. 



278 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 
3 

4 

1-2- 



The Genealogy of the following families was obtained too late to be 
inserted in the apjjropriate alphabetical place in the Register, and 
is here apptended. 

CUMMINGS. — Daniel Cummings, son of Ebenezer Cunimings 
of Woburn, was b. Jan. 7, 1797 ; m. Abigail Wright of Woburn, 
dau. of Jacob Wright, b. April 28, 1797. They resided first in 
Bedford, where their first three children were born, and afterwards 

in Lexington. They have Daniel, b. Aug. 3, 1817, m. Fowle ; 

Abigail,^. July 17, 1819, ni. Charles Flagg of Wo. ; William, h. 
Feb. 22, 1822; George, b. Nov. 24, 1833; Oliver Waterman, b. 
Dec. 23, 1836. Mr. Cummings resides at the extreme part of the 
town, where Burlington and Bedford corner upon Lexington. 



THE CURRIER FAMILY. 

Richard Currier was in Salisbury in 1640, and by his wife Ann 
had several children. Samuel Currier, perhaps son of Richard, was 
in Haverhill, and built him a cottage on the common land in 1668, 
and in 1670, m. Mary Hardy. I have no record of his death or of 
his children. In 1727, a school was kept at the house of widow 
Currier, and in 1732 the school was described as being at the house 
of Reuben Currier. From this imperfect record it is inferred that 
Samuel d. before 1727, and that Reuben was his son. Reuben Cur- 
rier was a lieutenant in Haverhill in 1757. He m. and had at least 
two sons, lleulien and Jonathan. He moved to Bow, N. H., about 
1760. Jonathan, m. Nancy Sargent of Haverhill, and among other 
children had 

JoxATHAN Currier b. 1787 ; m. Jan. 1, 1814, Cynthia Whitney, 
b. April, 14, 1792. He d. Oct. 15, 1859, aged 72, and she d. in 
Lexington, Nov. 10, 1866. 

\William Jackson, h. Feb. 21, 1815; ra. Susan B. Spaulding. 
Charles Whitney, b. March 9, 1817 ; d. 1838, in Nashville, Texas. 
Simon Pender, b. Aug. 19, 1822 ; m. and r. in the State of N. Y. 



William J. Currier m. Jan. 23, 1845, Susan B. Spaulding, 
dau. of Dr. Stillman and Lucy (Butterfield) Spaulding of Lexington. 
He studied medicine with Dr. Stedman at the Marine Hospital in 
Chelsea, and with Dr. Chaplin in Cambridge. He attended lectures 
at Pittsfield and at Boston, and grad. 1839, at the Berkshire Medical 
Institute. He is a member of the Mass. Medical Society. He came 
to Lexington in 1840, and established himself in his profession. 
They have two children, Charles Wingate, b. April 1, 1850; Wil- 
liam B., b. July 2, 1859. 



DOW. — Darius Dow, son of Levi and Catharine (Haynes) Dow, 
was b. in Sudbury, Jan. 16, 1825; m. Oct. 14, 1851, Abbie Love- 
well of Weston, b. Nov. 8, 1830. He came to Lexington about 
1853. They have h.ad Darius A., b. Dec. 28, 1852, in Waltham ; 
George H., b. in Lex. Nov. 4, 1855; Hattie Ij., b. Nov. 22, 1856, 
d. June 14, 1857 ; Henrietta J., b. March 6, 1862. 



FITCH.— David Fitch b. in Billerica, March 3, 1832. His 
fattier, David Fitch, was son of David of Bedford. David of Lex. 
came to this town about 1858, and m. Jan., 1858, S. M. AVilliams of 
Rox. He entered the 45th Reg. in the late Rebellion, and served in 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



279 



N. C. as a soldier from Lex. His brother Albert onllstcd from F.nr- 
lington for three years, and was killed at the battle of (Iliancellors- 
ville. David has four children, the first two born in Burlington, the 
last two in Lexington. David Warren, b. Oct. 20, iSi>H ; Joseph 
Henry, b. Feb. 12, 18G1 ; Ellen L., b. Aug. 31, 18G4 ; Eliza Jane, 
b. Sept. 19, 1866. 



1- 2 
3 

4 
5 
6 

7 

1-6- 



FOWLE.— This name has been common in some of the neighbor- 
ing towns, and a few persons of that name have from time to time 
appeared upon our records. 

Isaac Fowle of Medford m. Nancy Hall, and had a family of 
eleven children. William Henry, one of his sons, b. July 9, 1815, 
m. April 8, 1835, Susan E. Ree'd, dau. of Isaac Reed of Lex. She 
d. July 29, 1859, and he m. Dec. 20, 1860, Emeline P. Reed, sister 
of his first wife. He came to Lexington with his family, 1857. His 
flvther and brother John came with them. The father Is now living 
in his 85th year. William H. Fowle d. Aug. 8, 1862. He had two 
children by his first wife— Susan Elizabeth, b. Aug. 11, 1839; 
Emma S., b. Sept. 3, 1844; m. July 2, 1865, George D. Estabrook. 

HILDRETH.— Samuel Hildreth b. March 1, 1797, son of 
James Hildreth of Westford, m. July 3. 1823, Sophia Doloph of 
Candia N. H. They resided in Boston and Dorchester, and came 
to Lex' 1855. They have had eleven children, viz. SopJiia A., (\. 
young ;■ Samuel B., b. 1825. r. in Boston ; Prescott P b. 1827, and 
Rurus H b. 1828, reside in Dorchester; Sophia A., b. 1830, r. m 
Qu ncy; Vo/m, b. 1832, d. young; MaryE., b. 1833; Joseph W h 
m:>i Eliza Jane and Jane Eliza, twins, b. 8.^7 the latter d. 
youn^; Harriet P., b. Dec. 26, 1838, m. xNov. 26 18b.>, ^''0'"'''^ W. 
ChildVr. in Lex. and have two children; George O., b. 1843; Ben- 
jaminF., b. 1847, d. young. . 

of Aaron, d. young. 

Aaron IIolbrook m. May 7, 1818, Susan Miles. She d. and he 
m. Mary Wellington of Waltham. 

iZZ't b' June 8, Isl'-; m. May 20, 1849, William Henry Smith 

Mat':^" b' May 28. 1826 ; m. Charles F. Winship of Lexington. 

S.i^^^^^?^30;^^5^E.^toc.er. 

ffi? r.;b. July^l^^832^ilinNewy^ 

S,^b. Sa ri86LX\"loltrtlf::i^^ 
7. ITt^vptt came to Lexington about 1835 



280 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 
3 
4 
6 
6 
7 



1-2- 



1- 2 
3 



cendant of Maximilian Jewett of Rowley, who came to the country- 
early and was made a freeman, and was chosen deacon in Rowley in 
1640. He had numerous descendants in Rowley, Ipswich and the 
neighboring towns. 

Nathaniel Jewett was b. Oct. 23, 1780, and m. Nov. 22, 1807, 
Betsey Hamblet, b. May 3, 1783. He d. in Lex. Oct. 26, 1861, 
aged 81. She d. March 27, 1857, aged 74. They had six children, 
viz. Amory, b. Aug. 14, 1808, m. Lucy E. Duade ; r. in Boston. 
Louisa, b. June 15, 1810, m. George F. Tuttle, r. at Woodstock, 
Vt. Maria, b. March 13, 1812, m. Dec. 5, 1830, George W. Rob- 
inson ; r. in Lex. Eliza, b. Feb., 1814, m. Charles Brown ; r. in 
Line. Elias K., b. Dec. 15, 1817, d. Jan. 27, 1855, in California 
by the explosion of a steamboat boiler. Gorham, b. Ang. 3, 1819, 
m. March 11, 1857, Caroline R. Farnsworth. They have Caroline F., 
b. Aug. 6, 1858. 

JONES. — Samuel Jones, son of Samuel of Quincy, was b. Feb. 
14, 1809. He came to Lex. about 1833, and m. Nov. 28, 1834, 
Sarah Fogg, from N. H. They have had Sarah A., b. Nov. 19, 
1836, d. April 20, 1842 ; Sanmel H., b. Nov. 13, 1838. He entered 
the service of the United States, and was nine months in North 
Carolina. Subsequently he re-enlisted in the Heavy Artillery and 
served till the close of the war. Lydia A., b. April 5, 1842, m. 
Aug. 10, 1860, Alexander Corey, and has three children ; George A., 
b. May 6, 1859. 



KEITH. — John Keith came to Boston from Scotland about 1790. 
He m. Deborah Thayer of Braintree. They had Robert, b. 1793; 
Ann, b. 1795; William, b. 1797. He d. 1801. 

William Keith m. 1820, Priscilla W. Whiston of Boston, dau. 
of Francis and Elizabeth (Downes) Whiston. 

\WilUam W., b. Feb. 10, 1822 ; m. Cordelia Bryant. 

Elizabeth W., b. Aug. 20, 1823; d. 1849. 

Amos B., b. June 10, 1825 ; m. 1846, Catharine E. Marsh of Lynn. 

John H., b. Jan. 20, 1827 ; m. Mary E. Foster of Salem ; r. there. 

Priscilla W:, b. April 23, 1829 ; m. James Annin of Leroy, N. Y. 

Edtvard H., b. May 6, 1831 ; m. 1849, Mary ; r. in Chicago. 

Harriet A.,h. June 10, 1833 ; d. 1854. 



William W. Keith m. May 18, 1848, Cordelia Bryant, dau. of 
Nathaniel and Clarissa (Blodgett) Bryant, b. April 9, 1821. They 
came to Lexington, 1859. He is a broker in Boston. They have 
four children, Harry H., b. Nov. 15, 1851; William W., b. .Tune 
22, 1857 ; Lillian B., b. May 12, 1860 ; Walter B., b. Dec. 13, 1862. 



THE KNIGHT FAMILY. 

LoAMjn Knight, son of Aaron and Rebecca (Adams) Knight 
was b. in Hancock, N. H., Oct. 14, 1803. He came to Lexington, 
1821, and m. May 3, 1829, Mary Robbins, dau. of Stephen Robbins, 
and d. Jan. 5, 1868. He was devoted to the militia, and rose to the 
rank of Major. 

Mary, b. April 2, 1830 ; d. April 6, 1830. 

\Francis E., b. May 11, 1831 ; has been twice married. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



281 



Mary B., b. Nov. 17, 1833; m. Nov. 25, 1852, Joshua Ilobart, and 

has had one child, Mary L., b. July 9, 1855. 
Franklin, b. Sept. 29, 1835. 
Melinda, b. July 19, 1838 ; m. JSTov. 22, 180G, John D. Smith of 

Charlestown. 
Helen Augusta, b. May 1, 1841 ; m. Sept. 25, 18C1, Franklin E. 

Melvin of Charlestown. 
Annie Maria, b. March 8, 1844. 



1-3- Francis H. Knight m. Aug. 15, 1855, Loenza L. Hills, dau. of 

Joseph and Olive K. Hills of Hancock, N. H. She d. Oct. 25, 1859, 
and he m. Nov. 15, 18G0, Lizzie H. Collanier, dau. of Horace and 
M. E. CoUamer of Woburn. They moved to Reading, 18t)2. His 
children are Clarence C, b. July 21, 1858; Lizzie Loenza, b. Oct. 6, 
1861 ; Mary C, b. June 24, 18G4 ; Nellie Winslow, b. Oct. 23. 1867. 



LEWIS.— Joshua Lewis, a Baptist clergyman, came from Wales 
about 1780 and settled in Conn. His son Joshua, likewise a Baptist 
clergyman, resided in Conn, and R. I. His son Joshua removed to 

Sarato"-a,N. Y., where he m. Grinnell. His son John moved 

to the neighborhood of Auburn, N. Y., where he m. Delecta Bar- 
bour, and'^became a farmer. They had five children. 

Dio Lewis, son of John, was b. 1825 ; m. July 11, 1849, Ilellen C. 
Clarke, dau. of Dr. Peter Clarke of Montezuma, N. Y. He studied 
medicine in Auburn, and attended a course of lectures in the 
Medical Department of Harvard University, and afterwards took his 
diploma from the Medical College at Cleveland, Ohio. He settled 
in Butfilo N Y., where he followed his profession several years, 
and edited a Medical Magazine. After traveling some years at 
home and abroad, and giving himself to the development of a new 
svstera of physical culture, he came to Boston in 18b0, and estab- 
iished a Normal Institute for physical education. To his labors 
as President of that institution, he added the estabhshment and 
conduct of a Young Ladies' Seminary, which he opened in Lexington, 
1^64 Of this school, and of the success, of his system we have 
spoken elsewhere. See History, pp. 3/ o, o^G- 



RHODES.-Thomas H. Rhodes, son of Cyriis Rhodes, was b. 

• I y.. N H March 7 1816. He came to Lexington in 1840, 
m Antrim NH.,Marclw, 10 ^_ ^j^^.^,^ ^^ ^^.^^^ 

and m. Feb. ^'/^^^ ' /X TlSy have had the following children. 
She was dau of Eh Taylor ine^^^^ ^^ ^ lg,3_^^ Joshua L. 

tT of fi Me Tl eTre id'e in Charlestown'. and have one child. 
Johnson from Me. H ey ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^ ^.^^^_ j 

b Zg.t mf 'ie«ly, b. ApriC 1847 d. yoin.g. B.las Li.^n, 
b: Oct. 6, 1851. CJutde^Eenry^^^ 

CTATONDS -CAL^ax SiMONDS, son of Bradley, and grandson of 
SIM0NDS.--L;A™^ Simonds family,) was b. in Ashby 

David Simonds, (JSo. i)J in tne o ^ petigrew, b. March 

June 5, 1836, and m. April 11 18o9, J'^J'^ A- » ^.;,.,. -^ ,^ . ^ b. 

8,1834. They came t^o Lex ml.m |^^g^| ^^ March H, 1863; 

^r^e S^ft^N^ ^l!l8t4 ; Jennie Maria^^^O^^^U^^ 

iS^.- ST^be'd.Tu?; 2ri8^1. and he .. third, Alma E. 



282 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



1- 2 
3 
4 



Holden, He d. Dec. 26, 1827. He had Mary, b. 1805; Edward 
L., b. Au<?. 5, 1806; Alma E., b. 1815; Susan, b. 1816; John F., 
b. 1818; "Harriet N. and James R., (twins,) b. 1820; Elizabeth, b. 
1823. They r. in Harvard. 

Edward L. Tyler, son of Capt. Edward and Mary, m. April 16, 
1832, Rachel Stevens. She d. April 3, 1839, and he m. Nov. 13, 
1839, Martha T. Savage. He came to Lexington about 1828, and 
d. March 23, 1864, in his 58th year. He had two children by each 
wife. 

Edward F., b. Nov. 13, 1834. 

Mary S., b. Feb. 7, 1838; m. Ap. 2, 1865, Marshall Lee of Carlisle. 

Henry H., b. Nov. 22, 1840. 6 Arthur F., b. March 12, 1852. 



Note. — In the multiplicity of names and dates it is almost impossible to 
avoid mistakes. A few errors have been detected since the sheets passed the 
Press, which are here corrected, and a few slight additions made. 

In the History : 

Page 321, line 20 from the top, for ' Barnes,' read ' Bowes.' 
" 397, line 14 from the bottom, for '1861,' on the left margin, read 

'1862.' 
" 398, line 15 from the bottom, insert on the left margin against 
Alvin Cole, ' 1862.' 

In the Genealogy : 

Page 11, line 2 from the bottom, for Charles ' Hawes,' read Charles 

' Harvey.' 
" 31, first line, for ' Susanna,' read ' Lusanna.' 
" 43, line 11 from the top, for ' Brown,' read ' Bowen.' 
" 125, line 22 from the top, for ' 1738,' read ' 1838.' 
" 140, line 18 in a few copies, for ' 1747 ' and ' 1749,' read ' 1847 ' and 

' 1849.' 
" 179, line 11 from bottom, after ' Lusanna,' insert ' T.' 
" 181, line 32 from the top, for ' 1863,' read ' 1853.' 
♦ " 217, line 17 from the bottom, after 1857, add '1861,' and '1863— 

1868.' 
" 230, line 8 and 9 from the top, for ' Illinois,' read ' Wisconsin.' 
" 244, line 29 from top, for ' Viles,' read ' Teal.' 
" 262, line 10 from top, for ' 1858,' read ' 1848.* 



INDEX TO THE GENEALOGIES. 



In the following Index, the names of the Families, which are arranged In alphahctical 
order, arc printed in Small Capitals, and the page or pages occupied by each family, 
respectively, are set against them. The names which follow the faniilicH, and arc arranged 
in alphabetical order, are of those, whether male or female, who have intermarried with 
some member of the family, and the figures set against their name refer to the consecutive 
number of each family, against which the name will be found. Names having more than 
one number against them, denote that different persons, of the same surname, married into 
the family. In a few instances, distinct families of the same name, have the same numbers. 
Hence botli numbers should be consulted. Persons marrying those of the same surniime arc 
omitted in the index. In the introduction of the families, the name of the wife is sometimes 
given before the consecutive numbers commence; and in some of the small families tlie 
numbers are omitted altogether. In such cases, the name of the i>erson intermarrying will 
be found inserted below, without any number annexed, but can easily be found under the 
head of the family where they occur. 



Ahuot, p. o, 6 
Barker, No. 6 
Bridges, 18 
Buckman, 26 
Chandler, 10 
I'^alkner, 4 
Farnum, 2 
Favvcett, 34 
Foster, 13 
Hoar, 27 
Ingalls, 2, 8 
Lawrence, 23 
Lovejoy, 7 
Merriara, 28 
White, 25 

Adams, 6—8 
Bacon, 29 
Baker, 16 
Balles. 
Beals. 
Boyden, 15 
Chenerv, 1 
Crosby,' 30 
Derby, 23 
Fiske, 3 
Flags, 9 
Griffith. 
Hager, \0 
Lewis, 17 
Pond, 13 
Prentice, 30 
Sanderson, 9 
Stearns, 10 
Whittemore. 

Allen, 8 
Bacon, 2 
Munroe, 1 
Smith, 3 

Angier, 8, 9 
Blasdell, 5 
Davis, 3 



Simonds, 1, 4 
Winn, 5 

Aems, 9 
Carley. 

Babcock, 9 
BlashHeld. 
Chalmers. 

Bacon, 9, 10 
Allen. 
Davis, 3 
Gleason, 5 
Grant. 
Reed, 4 

Batly, 10 
Capell, 2 
Gould, 6 
Grover, 2 
Hartwell, 5 
Hutchinson, 2 
Marston, 3 
Simonds, 1 
Skilton, 4 
Woodbury, 2 

Bate, 10 

Barrett, 10, U 
Fiske. 
Gerrish. 
Henchman. 

Beals, U 
Adams. 
Brown. 

Bennett, U 
Blanchard, 1 
Kendall, 15 
Knowles, 11 
Mclntyre, 14 



Shattuck, 8 
Stimpson, 13 
Wright, 12 

Blanchard, 12 
Munroe. 

Blasdel, 12 
Dexter. 
Perkins. 
Powers. 

Bltnn, 12 
Gilmore. 
De Lans. 
Gragg, 1 
Piper, 2 

Blodgett, 13—16 

Barnes, 75 

Brown, 17 

Bryant, 8 

Butterfield, 11 

Butters, 15 

Caldwell, 69 

Dizer, 5 

Downing, 06 

Dupee, 10 

Estabrook, 13 

Fowle, 38 

Frost, 64 

Hadley, 1 
I Harrington, 22 

Jackson, 14 
Johnson, 8 
' Lane, 32 

Locke, 11,^12, 25 
Meservc, 76 
Munroe, 46 
Nevers, 4 
Pf.rkcr, 26 
Perry, 21 
Kaymond, 8 
Richardson, 18 



284 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



Robbins, 28 
Russell, 6 
Severn, 28 
Skilton, 19 
Smith, 5, 70 
Stearns, 3 
Stone, 4 
Thorn, 23 
Tidd, I 
Tileston, 7, 9 
Winn, 2, 16 

Bond, 16 

Briscoe, 
Mason. 
Nelson, 12 
Russell, 2 
Whittemore. 
Woolson. 

Bowman, 16—20 
Andrews, 15 
Barnard, 12 
Blackleach, 8 
Bridge, 2.5, 38, 61, 63 
Bright, 23 
Brown, 29 
Chamberlain, 45 
Clapp, 75 
Cooledge, 27, 39 
Davis, 64 
Elliott, 57 
Estabrook, 31 
Garfield, 22 
Harrington, 21 
Hoar, 47 
Lawrence, 49 
Learned, 65 
Ledlie, 53 
Loring, 36 
March, 8 
Munroe, 21, 48 
Reed, 37 
Russell, 20, 40 
Sherman, 2 
Simonds, 18, 41 
Smith, 62 
Stearns, 28 
Stone, 9, 19 
Sutton, 44 
Turner. 7 
Viles, 59 
Walker, 60 
Woolson, 36 

Bradshaw, 21 

Bridge, 21—26 
Baker, 60 
Bancroft, 1 
Barrett, 43 
Bartlett, 61 
Blanchard, 49 
Bowman, 12, 17, 36, 47 
Brooks, 20 
Brown, 40 
Champney, 1 
Chandler, 56 
Cutler. 14 
Danforth, 2 
Davis, 80 
Flagg, 54 



Fox, 24 

Garfield, 9 

Gerry, 56 

Harrington, 9, 19, 23 

Herrick, 15 

Knowles, 62 

Livermoie, 4 

Moore, 32 

Morse, 33 

Parker, 41 

Perkins, 19 

Pierce, 22 

Porter, 15, 37 

Reed, 17,26,30,31,32,45 

Russell, 6, 10 

Sargent, 77 

Saunders, 1 

Smith, 33. 79 

Stratton. 84 

Taylor. 1 

Tidd, 15 

Tyler, 40 

Veazie, 54 

Watson, 11 

Wellington, 72 

Whitcomb, 56 

Whitney, 13 

Wood, 34 

Brigham, 26 
Muzzy. 
Valentine. 

Brown, 26—30 
Beals, 81 
Blodgett, 96 
Bowman, 21 
Bridge, 44 
Buckman, 38 
Burbank, 65 
Chapman, 75 
Converse, 51 
Downing, 49 
Dudley, 66 
Farrar, 98 
Fiske, 73, 99 
Gleason, 76 
Goodi ow, 95 
Harrington, 56 
Johnson, 84 
Kuhn, 74 
Makepeace, 2 
Meacham, 13 
Munroe, 68, 67 
Muzzev,42, 50 
Page, 43 
Patch, 97 
Perry, 60 
Pierce, 70 
Proctor, 83 
Reed, 23, 26, 47 
Rogers, 91 
Smith. 21, 39 
Stearns, 57, 59, 61 
Sumner, 79 
Thacher, 37 
Tottingham, 31 
Twitchell, 19 
Wellington, 15, 48 
White, 68 
Whitney, 77 
Whittemore, 41 



Bryant, 30, 31 

Ellms,4 
Phelps, 2 
Shurtletf, 3 
Wellington, 5 
Withington, 1 

Bl'CKMAN, 31, 32 
Brown, 2 
Fiske, 1 
Munroe. 
Stone, 3, 4 

BuRiJANic, 32, 33 
Alexander, 2 
Brown, 1 
Jacobs, 7 
Kendall. 
Peirce, 6 
Slaughter, 4 

BuRDOO, 33 
Banister, 4 

Butters, 34 
Blodgett, 6 
Hastings, 7 
Peters, 1 
Tidd, 5 
Viles, 3 

BUTTRICK, 34 

Glacier, 4 
Locke, 1 

Caldwell, 34, 35 

Capell, 35 
Brown, 1 
Crosby, 3 
Hutchinson, 4 

Carly, 35 
Arms. 

Chandler, 35 — 41 
Alley, 60 
Ball, 58 
Blanchard, 65 
Bridge, 27 
Brown, 5 
Buss, 3 
Davis, 13 
Downing. 30 
Dudley, 8, 66 
Duren, 64 
Eaton, 32 
Flagg, 12, 14 
Fletcher, 6 
Francis, 67 
Harrington, 40 
Hea!d,'2 
Hutchins, 46 
Jones, 6 
Kimball, 54, 67 
La Bart, 40 
LeBaron, 52 
Mack, 23 
Mead, 41 
Melvin, 14 
Merriam, 15 
Mulliken, 39 



INDEX TO GENEALOGY. 



285 



Miizzey, 21, 34 
Putnam, 49 
Reed, 25, 29 
Simonds, 1 
Spring, 26 
Ti(]d, 24 
West, 63 
Whitcomb. 27 
Whittaker, 14 

Child, 41, 42 
Biodgett. 
Cunningham. 
Cutler, 1 
Hale, I 
Maddock. 
Norcross. 
Parniiuter. 
Pierce. 
Platts. 
Thatcher. 
Williams. 

Claflin, 42 

Clarke, 42—45 
Allen. 
Billings, 7 
Bowen, 12 
Bowes, 16 
Buckminster, 2, 4 
BuUard. 
Conant, 24 
Dudley. 
Fiske, 30 
Grafion, 35 
Green, 31 
Hall. 

Harris, 29, 32 
Norman, 2 
Pierce, 5 
Ware, 26 
Watts, 25 
Wilson, 13 

CoMEE, 45, 46 
Brown, 3 
Maltman, 16 
Parkhurst, 12 
Smith, 5 
Watts, 11 

COOLEDGE, 47 

Bright. 

Eddy. 

Fiske. 

Fowle, 1 

Mixer. 

Munroe. 

Smith. 

Stearns. 

COOFBR, 47 

Crosby, 47 
Adams. 
Cook. 

Crowninshield, 48 
Christy, 3 
Loring, 8 
Peters, 1 
Reed, 4 

94 



CUMMINGS, 278 
Fiagg. 
Fowle. 
Wright. 

Currier, 278 
Hardy. 
Sargent. 
Spaulding, 2 
Whitney, 1 

Cutler, 48—54 
Bacon, 99 
Batchelder, 118 
Blaise, 16 
Bond, 32 
Braraan, 109 
Bridge, 42 
Brown, 90 
Burrell, 120 
Buttrick, 54 
Chamberlain, 113 
Child, 58, 93 
Clemens, 106 
Collar, 5 
Cutter, 100 
Duren, 128 
Earl, 91 
Fiske, 64 
Flagg, 95, 98 
Flanders, 124 
Foss, 125 
Green, 102 
Harrington, 76 
Hassington, 108 
Hastings, 62 
Hawkins, 114, 117 
Hodgman, 70 
Holbrook, 109 
Holden, 101 
Houghton, 136 
Howe, 72 
Jnhonnot, 127 
Kendall, 57, 129 
King, 1 
Lane, 106 
Lathrop, 115 
Leonard, 78 
Mann, 114 
Marrett, 97 
Moore, 77 
Morrell, 111 
Munroe, 24 
Niles, 91 
Nutting, 123 
Page, 1, 74, 75 
Park, 9 
Parker, 126 
Parmenter, 6 
Reed, 71, 72, 76 
Rice, 109 
Richardson, 112 
Russell, 10 
Scolley, 109 
Searle. 96 
Simonds, 48, 92 
Smith, 110 
Snow, 19 
Spaulding, 130 
Stearns, 12 
Stone, 20, 30 
Tidd, 43 



Tyler, 137 
Waite, 8 
Wellington, 140 
Wheat, 104 
Wh.eltr, 106 
White, 76 
Whitney. 31 
Winter, 3 

Wood, 103, 104, 112 
Wright, 2 

Cutter, 54, 55 
Fillebrown. 

Damon, 55 

Gov\iiig. 
Houghton. 
Pratt. 
ShatUick. 
Wright, 1 

Daxfohth, 55 
Merriam. 

Davis, 55, 56 
Bibcock. 
Bridge, 4 
Davis, 2 
I'helps, 1 
Stevens, 2 
Tilton, 3 

Diamond, 56 
Simonds. 

Dork, 56, 57 
Boaidinan. 
Cunimings. 
Goldthwait. 
Paul, 2 
Plympton. 
Richards, I 

Dow, 278 
Hayues. 
Lovewell. 

Downing, 57 
Blodgett, 4 
Brown, 1 
Butterfteld, 2 
Chandler, 5 
Learned, 4 
Rhoades, 6 
Wheelock, 7 

Draper, 57 
Barnes. 

Dudley, 58, 69 
Brown, 15, 16 
Chandler, 12 
Davis, 8 
Fletcher, 2 
Fowle, 47 
Gobble, 3 
Harrington, 43 
Holman. 48 
Howe, 21 
Johnson, 41 
King, 4 
Lane, 31 



286 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



Munroe, 31 
Perry, 20 
Poulter, 6 
Shaw, 44 
Smith, 40 
Viles 38 
"Wheeler, 1 

DUNKLEE, 59 

Wilson, 6 

DUPEE, 60 
Btodgett, 1 
Shattuck, 5 
Tibbitts, 2 
Winn, 4 

DUREN, 60 
Chandler. 
Dutton. 
G.juld. 
Jaqiiith. 
Kendall. 
Locke. 
Manning. 
Marrett. 
Russell. 
Searl. 
Simonds. 
Spaulding. 

ESTABROOK, 61— 6L 
Adams, 63 
Barrett, 21 
Benjamin, 67 
Blanchard, 42 
Blodgeit, 59 
Bowman, 6 
Bryant, 71 
Cook, 46 
Creasy, 34 
Cummiiigs, 59 
Davis. 38 
Fav, 69 
Flint, 5 
Foster, 72 
Fowle, 59 
Frost, 9 
Harrington, 7 
Harris, 25 
Hooper, 68 
Hovey, 64 

Hubbard, 17, 18 
Hunt, 27 
Hard, 23 

Jones, 43, 49, 77 

Kidder, 30 

Lawrence, 32, 59 

Loring, 2. 6 

Munroe, 7 

Norcross, 70 

Page, 65 

Paine, 3 

Pierce, 36 

Raymond, 61 

Reed, 6, 22 

Russ?ll. 33, 47 

Simond-i, 58 

Smith, 37 

Stearns. 39, 66 

Trask, 45 

Treat, 3 



Walden, 35 
Warren, 34 
Willard. 3 
Winn, 51 
Winship, 24, 29 
Woodhouse, 2 
Wright, 60 

Fairfield, 64 

Farley, 65 
Hasselton. 
Putnam. 

Farmer, 65 
Fesseuden, 1 
Kilburn, 3 
Pierce, 7 
Reed, 2 

Fassett, 65, 66 
Munroe, 2 
Newton, 6 
Page, 2, 5 
Pollard, 5 

Fessenden, 66—69 
Allen, 17 ^ 
Apthorp, 30 
Barrett, 15 
Bemis, 32 
Brown, 11, 19 
Cheney, 1 
Chipman, 14 
Cooledf^e, 5 
Crosby, 21 
Davis, 63 
Doane, 48 
Drinkwater, 49 
Farmer, 28 
Fillebrown, 7, 54, 62 
Frost, 43 
Goodrich, 47 
Grover, 55 
Hill, 38 

Hutchinson, 20 
Ingals, 57 
Johnson, 59 
Kendall, 11 
Lee, 30 
Locke, 7. 31 
Lovejoy, 52 
Newton, 60 
Oldham. 12 
Parker, 10 
Pierce, 25, 37, 39 
Poulter, 7 
Prentice, 16 
Stratton, 61 
Tainter, 50 
Viles, 45 
Webb, 32 
Wellington, 18 
Winship, 9, 33, 34 
Wyeth, 11 
Wyman, 24 

Fiske, 69—75 
Adams, 61 
Baldwin, 9 
Barrett, 46 
Blodgett, 40 



Bridge, 61 
Briggs, 91 
Brown, 72, 105 
Buckman, 33 
Carter, 8 
Clarke, 85 
Cooper, 2 
Daland, 81 
Davenport, 92 
Denow, 101 
Dodge, 71 
Eaton, 26 
Ellis, 44 
Farmer, 37 
Fisher, 70 
Gray, 84 
Haden, 92 
Hadley, 45, 59 
Hale, 2 
Haley, 97 

Harrington, 17, 51, 75 
Heard, 28 
Howe, 49 
Hudson, 5 
James, 3 
Kennard, 71 
Le Barron, 57 
Leonard, 77 
Locke, 3'j 
Loring, 14 
Lyford, 92 
Massy, 100 
Merriam, 49 
Muzzy, 17 
Newell, 65 
Noyes, 20 
Oliver, 43 
Parris, 18 
Paterson, 21 
Peters, 71, 74 
Pierce, 66 
Pinkerton, 7 
Pond, 6 
Raymond, 36 
Reed, 103 
Robbins, 63 
Russell, 7 
Shaw, 92 
Spear, 78, 94 
Stimpson, 12 
Stoddart, 9 
Stone, 26, 55 
Thomas, 76 
Trask, 59, 79 
Tufts, 1 
Webber, 58 
Wellington, 4 
Wheeler, 109 
Whitney, 62 
Wilson. 2, 35 
Winn, 90 
Winship, 82 
Wood, 102 

Fitch, 75, 278 
Cutler, p. 75 
Williams, p. 278 

Fowle, 279 
Estabrook. 
Hall. 
Reed. 



INDEX TO GENEALOGY. 



287 



Gammkll, 75, 76 
Andrews, 6 
Biuterfield, 6 
Keyes, 1 
Lakin, 3 
Robinson, 2 
Wiley, 6 

Gleason, 76 
Bacon. 

GODDAHD, 76, 77 
Hammond, 7, 10 
Keyes, 6, 14 
Locke, 15 
Miles, 2 
Nichols, 4 
Smith, 9 
Stone, 3, 4 
Wardner, 12 

Godding, 78 

Goodwin, 78 

Gould, 78 
liailev, 7 
Brooks, 1 
Goddard, o 
Hindman, 4 
Lawrence^ 1 
Levis, 2 
Pierce. 2 
Rice, 2 
Saville, 5 
Teel, 3 
Whiting, 9 

Graham, 78, 79 
Marshall. 

Green, 79 
Brown, 6 
Muzzy, 2 
Prentice, 2 
Smith, 4, 6 
Tufts. 

Greenleaf, 79, 80 
Gerrish. 
Horton, 9 
Kent. 
Locke, 3 
Manning, 1 
Reed. 5 
Thompson. 
Upson, 8 

Grimes, 80 
Ditson, 11 
Reed, 8 

Grover, 81 
Biscom, 4 
Fessenden, 5 
Harrington, 5 
Merriam, 3 
Pierce, 2 

Hadley, 81-83 
Blackington, 15 
Dean, 8 



Fiske, 11 


Hadlev, 109 


Fowle, 9 


Hall, 97, 176 


Hall 


Hammond, 15, 17 


Harrington, 19 


Hastings, 149, 187 


Ireland. 17 


Haywood, 148 


Jones, 4 


Jacobs, 196 


Lakin. 


Johnson, 62 


Lawrence, 1 


Kiniiiston, 173 


Littletield, 22 


Lane, LS9 


Merriam, 7 


Langley, 208 


Miller, 23 


Laughton, 28 


Newton, 7 


Livermore, 25 


Porter, 10 


Locke, 54, 70, 108 


Stearns. 


Loring, 78 


Whitney, 20, 21 


Mason, 37, 139 


Winship, 6 


Maynard, 198 




Mead, 184, 194 


Hall, 83 


More, 205 


Crandall. 


Morton, 161 




MuUett 85 


Ham, 83 


Mulliken, 38, 119 


Grose. 


Munroe, 58, 64, 71, 89 




190 


Hancock, 83—88 


Newell. 73 


Bowes, 26 


Pa^'e, 128 


Bowman, 24 


Palls, 32 


Clarke, 14, 18 


Perrin, 131 


Fothergill, 20 


Perry, 57 


Henchman, 23 


Phelps, 120 


Lowell, 34 


Pierce, 79, 106, 124, 179 


Perkins, 35 


183 


Prentice, 4 


Porter, 63 


Quincy, 33 


Rainey, 209 


Scott, 33 


Raymond, 70 


Thaxter, 22 


Reed,60,61, 113, 117,154 


Thompson, 28 


Richardson, 165 




Rindge, 206 


Harrington, 89—99 


Robbins, 137 


Adams, 201 


Robinson. 200 


Alurt, 162 


Russell, 86, 161 


Banks, 74 


Sinison, 81 


Bemis, 9 


Skilton, 186 


Bennett, 177 


Smith, 56, 67 


Bent, 77 


Snow, 168 


Bigelow, 23 


Sticknev, 80 


Blackington, •'i4 


Swan. 212 


Blodgett, 28, 53, 58 


Tay, 160 


Bowsway. 155 


Todd, 181 


Biitton, 88 


Trask, 37 


Brooks, 196 


Turner, 203 


Brown, 76 


Underwood, 127 


Bruce, 125 


Wade, 140 


Chandler, 192 


Ward, 191 


Constantine, 147 


White, 27, 98 


Cutler, 27 


Whitehead, 112 


Cutter, 16 


Whitney, 6 


Cutting, 2 
Dale, 156 


Wilev, 203 
Winship, 13, 52, 122 


Dudley, 116, 146 
Dunkley, 84 


Winter, 3 


Woodbury, 174 


Dunster, 38 


Wootten, 55 


Elliott, 141, 142 


Wyman, 173 


Farrer, 82 




Fiske, 56, 69, 159, 161 


Harris, 99 


Francis, 144 


Bryant, 1 


Frost, 87, 99, 182 


Farmer, 1 


Frothingham, 193 


Wethern, 4 


Gage, 197 
Garfield, 6, 158 


Hartwell, 99, 100 


Gleason, 168 


Davis, 1 


Gossom, 180 
Grover, 170 


Lake, 1 
Webber, 2 



288 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



Hastings, 100—103 


HOLBROOK, 279 


Dudley, 1 


Adams, 46 


Miles, 1 


Hadloek, 


Bailey, .54 


Smith, 3 


Jones, 7 


Baker, 37 


Stocker, 6 


Laws. 8 


Btmis, 11. 50 


Wellington, 1 


L')ring, 1 


Bond, 8 


Winship, 4 


Miles. 


Bowles, 40 




Munroe. 


Brooks, 21 


Holmes, 106 


Nurse. 


Brown. 17 


Cotting. 


Pierce, 1 


Gary, 38, 43, 49 




Reed. 


Cheney, 1 


Houghton, 106, 107 


R«pg- 


Church, 9 


Cutler, 3 


Skilton, 9 


Cooledgp, 9 


Haywood, 1 


Sumner, 3 


Davis, 53 


Richardson. 


Sweney. 5 


Graves, 6 


Shattuck, 2 


Tuttle, 5 


Green. 


Stearns. 


Wheeler, 2 


Hammond, 3 






Harris. 


Hovey, 107 


Jones, 280 


HoUoway, 15 


Brown. 


Corey. 


Ingraham,22, 44 


Greenwood. 


Fogg. 


Lawrence, 31 


Hoping, 1 




Livermore, 48 


Lovelt. 


Keith, 280 


Marrett, 47 


Masnn. 


Annin, 6 


Mead, 12,53 


Muzzy. 


Bryant, 2 


Nelson, 27 


Pratt. 


Foster, 5 


Nevinsnn, 7, 9 


Watson. 


Marsh, 4 


Pratt, 53 




Thayer. 


Reed, 42 


Hudson, 107—110 


Whiston, 1 


Rice, 5 


Babcock, 6 




Riggs. 39 


Brigham, 4 


Kendall, 112, 113 


Bobbins, 48 


Brown, 1 


Bennett. 


Shattuck, 13 


Cooledye, 16 


Broughton, 1 


Smith, 52 


Crocker, 2 


Cheever, 1 


Spring, 35 


Fay, 14 


Dewing, 6 


Stearns, 13, 17, 26 


Fiske, 7 


Ditson. 


Stratton, 19 


Frost. 2 


Fiske. 


Swan, 30 


Goodnow, 5 


Gates. 


Tidd, 18 


Joslin, 1 


Leland, 5 


Trabo, 50 


McAllister, 3 


Smith, 11 


Tuttle, 53 


Mellen,23 


Tidd. 


Warren, 10 


Nichols, 22 




Weed. 53 


Rider, 17 


Kibbe, 113, 114 


Wellington, 49, 51 


Rugg, 2 




White, 16 


Shurtleff, 18 


Knight, 280, 281 


Wood, 53 


Smith, 20 


CoUamer, 3 


Wyeth, 30 


White, 1 


Hills, 3 




Williams, 13 


Hobart, 4 


Hendley, 103 


Wood, 3 


Melvin, 7 


Skilton. 




Bobbins, 1 




HUFFMASTER, 110 


Smith, 6 


Hewes, 103, 104 


Jewell. 




Sawtel, 1 


Wier. 


Laughton, 114 


HiLDRETH, 279 

Child. 
Doloph. 


Hunt, 110 


Winship. 
John Lawrence, 114 — 117 


Ingersoll, 111 


Abbott, 35 


Hoar, 104. 105 
Abbot, 28 


Jennison, 111 


Bancroft, 31 
Batchelder, 1 


Bowman, 23 


Tidd. 


Bellows, 11 


Brooks, 18, 19 
Cutler, 22 


Jewett, 279, 280 


Bowman, 42 
Fiske, 33 


Graves, 3 
Jones, 7 


Brown. 
Duade. 


Harris, 23 
Hastings, 49 


Lee, 4 
Pierce, 16, 25 


Farnsworth. 


Holden, 24 


Hamblet. 


Johnson, 39 


Prescott, 2 


Robinson. 


Locke, 27 


Stratton, 4 


Tuttle. 


Morse, 4 


Wheeler, 31 




Muzzy, 40 


White, 30 


Johnson, HI, 112 


Page, 21 


Whittemore, 20, 21 


Brown, 4 
Cheney, 11 


Parker, 35 
Potter, 7 


HOBBS, 106 


Cogswell, 4 


Reed, 38, 52 



INDEX TO GENEALOGY. 



289 



Russell, 34 
Smith, 37, 46 
Stone, 27 
Swain, 32 
Tarhell, 19 
Wheeler, 25 
Wood, 51 

George Lawhencb, 117. 
118 ' 

Barnes, 5 
Bass, 7 
Bennett, 7 
Brown, 3 
Butterfield, 24 
Comee, 19 
Crispe. 
Eaton, 6 
Evans, 13 
Hammond. 
Holland. 
Hoppins?, 7 
Lord. 14 
Marsh, '29 
Maynard, 8 
Parker, 2 
Pierce, 10 
Reed, 35 
Robinson, 25 
Smith, 4, 26 
Stearns. 
Thaver, 28 
Wellington, 1 

Lewis, 281 
Barbour. 
Clarke. 
Grinnell. 

LiVERMORE, 118, 119 
Ball. 
Barnes. 
Bridge. 
Duniap. 
Jarvis, 1 
Kidder. 
Manning, 7 
Perkins, 8 

Locke, 119—126 
Ayers, 40 
Baldwin, 51 

Blodgett, 42, 56, 69, 123 
Bond, 68, 71 
Brooks, 36 
Burgess, 114 
Casey. 131, 133 
Clarke, 1 
Cotton. 
Crosby, 135 
Cummings. 
Cutter, 9 
Davis, 111, 122 
Dawes, 152 
Day, 7 
Divols. 
Duren, 144 
Dwight, 39 
Elliott, 151 
Evans. 

Fessenden, 17 
Fiske, 43 



Fitz, 108 

Foster, 75, 86 

Gage, 111 

Gould, 125 

Gould. 

Greenleaf, 80 

Harrington, 55, 73, 121 

Haywood, 3 

Hill, 118 

Hills, 104 

Hopkins, 59 

Howard, 72 

Ingersol, 75 

Jacobs, HI 

Joslip, 115 

Kendall, 6 

Lakeman, 134 

Lawrence, 38, 77 

Markiiam, 10 

Marrett, 77 

Marvin, 1.50 

Mavnard,96 

Mead, 5, 8, 74 

Merriam, 15, 27, 45, 49 

MuUiken, 145 

Munroe, 24, 105 

Nevers, 107 

Newell, 37 

Newton, 47 

Nichols,_78, 79, 87 

Perry, 35 

Plympton, 4 

Raymond, 26 

Reed, 22, 71 

Rhoades, 106 

Richardson, 28, 32, 58, 

117 
Roberts, 137 
Russell, 11, 23, 69 
Scatto, 21 
Simonds, 81, 95 
Skilton. 128 
Smith, 111 
Snow, 19 
Stearns, 127 
Stevens, 127 
Temple, 103 
Tileston, 89, 91, 93 
Traluddia, 16 
Trask, 76 
Tuck, 132 
Walker, 8 
Wallace, 94 
Welch, 98 
Wellington, 73, 121 
White, 97 
Whitmore, 3 
Whitney, 99, 100 
Wiley, 85, 88 
Winning, 109 
Winship, 69 
Wood, 50 
Wvman, 4, 46, 61, 84, 

143 

LoRiNG, 126—128 
Allen, 12 
Baker. 
Baxter, 24 
Bowman, 8 
Chambers, 14 
Danforth, 16 



Estabrook, 1 
Fiske, 2 
Gove, 7 
Harrington, 20 
Howe, 13 
Johnson, 17 
Leavitt, 1 
Mason, 6 
Munroe, 22 
Newton. 
Penny, 19 
Pollard, 15 
Smith, 18 
Winship, 10 

Mann, 128 
Simonds. 

Marrett, 123—131 
Adams, 39 
Amsden, 5 
Bradish, 10 
Crashbiirn, 8 
Cutler, 34 
Dunster, 4, 17 
Eddeson. 2 
Foster, 19 
George, 41 
Hastings, 9, 29 
Hovey, 11 
Jones, 26 
Langhorn, 4 • 
Lawrence, 18 
Locke, 35 
Miirtyn, 20 
Monis, 16 
Muzzy, 29 
Parker, 11 
Pierce, 15 
Reed, 27 
Rice, 8 
Sanborn, 42 
Smith, 28 
Tidd, 24 
Towne, 38 
Witt, 15 
Wyatt, 19 

Mason, 131, 132 
Bowman, 19 
Brooks, 2 
Brown, 11 
Bull, 29 
Cheney, 31 
Edes, 23 
Estabrook, 4 
Gardner, 8 
Hammond, 5 
Loring, 12 
Munroe, 19 
Peak, 25 
Spring, 9 
Underwood, 33 
Whittemore, 26 

Israel Mead, 132—134 
Hartley, 18 
Hall, I 
Jones, 29 
Locke, 5 
Pierce, 25 
Robbins, 14 



290 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



David Mead, 134—136 
Adams, 19 
Bond, 14 
Bigelow, 12 
Chandler, 37 
Converse, 25 
Danforth, 11 
Harrington, 36, 40 
Hastings, 4, 40 
Jennison, 15 
Locke, 26 
Munroe, 24 
Parker, 10 
Pierce, 13 
Smith, 3 
Warren, 1 
Whitney, 17 
Viles, 18 

Mekriam, 136—140 
. Abbott. 94 

Allen, 40 

Brooks, 17, 21,98 

Brown, 48 

Bruce, 32. 34 

Caldwell, 95 

Chandler, 72 

Cooper, 4 

Cutting, 81 

Danforth. 31 

Eaton, 42 

Fife, 65 

Fletcher, 6 

Hall. 5 

Haywood. 13 

Hosmer, 76 

Jones, 85 

Lincoln. 63 

Locke, 27 

Mores, 66 

Muzzy, 43 

Porter, 49 

Richardson, 88 

Sawtell, 83 

Simonds, 53, 91 

Stearns, 11 

Stetson. 127 

Stone, 2, 14, 41 

Townsend. 62 

Wheeler, 10, 22 

Whitcoinb, 64 

Whitney. 75, 77, 80 

Wilder, 79 

Winship, 27, 93 

Wood, 9 

Mills, 140 
Adams. 

Mitchell, 140 
Snow. 

Moore, 140, 141 
Cutler. 
Parker, 6 
Pierce, 6 

MORRELL, 141 

Cutler, 3 
Dana, 5 
Holbrook, 1 
Marsh, 6 
Millett, 2 



MULLIKEX, 141 — 143 

Bacon, 31 
Burrell, 4 
Chandler, 10 
Clement, 35, 39 
Daland, 17 
Farnsworth, 19 
Gerry, 40 
Harrington, 28 
Holt, 20 
Horton. 23, 27 
Hunt, 9, 18 
Locke, 37, 42 
Munroe, 32 
Munyan, 25 
Nelson, 14 
Fayson, 15 
Pierce, 22 
Reed, 11 
Roberts, 21 
Sanderson, 7, 10 
Simonds. 29 
Smith, 38 
Stone, 2 
Wellington, 24 
Whiting, 5 

Munroe, 144 — 161 
Adams, 85 
Allen, 245 
Bacon, 213 
Barber, 77 
Bemis. 82, 128 
Benjamin, 50 
Blanchard. 12 
Blodgett, 207 
Bowman, 27, 102 
Brown, 6'J, 174, 179 
Buckman, 99, 202 
Burgess, 11 
Caldwell, 70, 119, 156 
Chapen, 108 
Child, 7 
Cobbett, 218 
Comee, 3 
Cutler, 4, 64 
Daniels, 209 
Dodge, 2:i0 
Downes, 187 
Eaton, 129 
Estabrook, 14 
Fassett, 9 
Fessenden, 178 
Fitch, 91 
Foster, 196 
Fowle. 190 
Fox, 168, 222 
Foye, 106 
Frost, 197 
Gleason, 220 
Grinnell, 182 
Hammond, 105 
Hancock, 118 
Harrington, 92, 100, 127, 

133, 195, 216 
Hobbs, 80 
Holland, 7 
Hunnewell, 173 
Hutchinson, 119 
Jewett, 188 
Johnson, 169, 172, 217, 

229 



Jones, 19 

Kendall, 47, 84 

Lealh, 146 

Locke, 22, 34, 181, 206 

Loring, 44, 171 

Macy, 170 

Mason, 27 

Matthis, 67 

Maxwell, 74 

Mead, 126 

Merriam, 62, 228 

Millett, 232 

Mixer, 214 

Mulliken. 247 

Muzzy, 22. 87, 183 

Nichols. 21 

Nurse, 96 

Page. 155 

Parker, 24, 66, 79, 122, 

143, 144 
Parks, 64 
Perry, 83 
Phinney, 237 
■Pnipps, 38 
Pierce, 7, 167, 210 
Porter, 125 
Randall, 239 
Raymond, 28 
Reed, 75, 189 
Rice, 208 
Rogers, 103 
Riigg, 8 

Russell, 4. 158, 194, 199 
Sampson, 205 
Sanderson, 124 
Sawin, 63 
Sewall, 187 
Simonds, 41, 86 
Skilton, 142 
Smith, 103, 135, 186 
Spooner, 104 
Stedman, 139 
Stimpson, 231 
Stone, 39, 65 
Thorp, 192 
Tidd, 101, 134 
Tuttle, 212 
Underwood, 93 
Waite, 126 
Walker, 150 
Watson. 42, 118 
Watts 22 
Wellington. 29, 136 
Wheeler, 68 
Wheelock, 184 
Whittemore. 215 
Williams, 58,59 
Wilson, 243 
Winning, 238 
Winship, 95, 139, 214 
Wood, 238 
Wyer, 1 
Wyman, 209 

Muzzy, 162—167 
Boutelle, 47, 53 
Bowers, 26 
Bradshaw, 4 
Brown. 29, 51 
Chandler, 64, 66 
Conant, 49 
Dexter, 1 



INDEX TO GENEALOGY. 



291 



Discoiti, 22 


Leavitt, 95 


Dunklee, 61 


Mead, 32 


Estabrook, 45 


Miller, 93, 96 


Falkner, 15 


Moore, 43 


Fiske, 8 


Morse, 51 


Fuller, 39 


Munroe, 39, 41, 56 


Green, 7 


Parrott, 33 


Hall, 11 


Pierce, 43, 62 


Hill, 13 


Polly, 11 


Hobart, 72 


Poole, 19 


Hooper, 77 


Reed, 44 


Hosmer, 70 


Robbins, 101, 102 


Hovey, 10 


Simonds, 67 


Ingham, 4 


Smith, 38 


Lawrence, 24 


Stearns. 63 


Lincoln, 6 ) 


Stone, 23 


Marrett, 52 


Tuttle, 104 


Merriam, 19, 42, 50 


Whitney, 22 


More, 58 


Wyman, 35 


Munroe, 20, 42, 60 




Oakes, 68 


Parkhurst, 177 


Parker, 55 


Bowers. 


Patch, 57 




Patterson, 65 


Peake, 177 


Prentice. 7 


Childs. 


Reed, 20, 21, 27, 40, 54, 


Hastings. 


55, 59, 62 


Priest. 


Saville, 79 




Smith, 26 


Penny, 177 


Si earns, 46 


Sherman. 


Stone, 14 


Smith. 


Tuttle, 68 




Wcthcrbee, 16 


Perry, 177 


Winship, 43 


Blodgett. 


Wood, 63 


Fox. 


Nash, 167 


Phelps, 178, 179 


Gushing. 


Bryant, 4 


Ford. 


Gushing, 4 


Sutton. 


Forbes, 3 




Goodwin, 6 


Nelson, 167 






Phinney, 179—181 


NoHCuoss, 167, 163 


Barrett, 7 


Abbott. 


Barttett, 8 


Chappell, 3 
English. 


Beckford, 11 
Fales, 10 


Estabrool^, 1 


Goodall. 13 


Everett. 


Green, 2 


Haider. 


Munroe, 19 


Prentice, 2 


Nelson, 14 
Olnhausen, 15 
Richardson, 18 


White, 5 


Nutting, 168 


Simonds, 17 
Spring, 12 


OVERINO, 168 


Stearns, 3, 5 
Swett, 17 



Parker, 169—177 
Bent, 65 
Bright, 3 
Brown, 3 
Cabot, 97 
Clarke, 66 
Durgee, 107 
Garfield, 105 
Green, 87, 88, 90 
Herrick, 91 
Hobbs, 45 
Hosley, 50 
Jennison, 34 
Kendall, 26 
Lawrence, 98 



Pierce, 181—186 
Bemis, 28, 30, 31 
Bishop, 3 
Brooks, 10 
Brown, 58, 91. 97 
Buckman, 102 
Burbank. 99 
Coffin, 62 
Gomee, 50 _ 
Conant, 115 
Cummings, 90 
Derby, 80 
Fessenden, 79 
Fiske, 45 



Fuller, 3 
Gale, 56 
Harrington, 61, 89, 109, 

124 
Hobbs, 86 
Holland, 21, 29 
Lawrence, 105 
Lewis, 26 
Locke, 111 
Mason, 62 
Mixer, 13 
Munroe, 21, 88 
Nunn, 113 
Parker, 59, 84 
Penny, 121) 
Piper, 48 
Reed, 5, 75 
Russell, 106, 110 
Sawin, 11 

Smith, 23, 85, 87, 92, 93 
Stearns, 82 
Tufts, 102 
Turner, lOt 
Warren, 17 

Wellington,51, 83,94,96 
White,^57, 59 
Whitney, 27 
Winship, 9 

Plumer, 186 
Lord, 1 

Poulter, 187 
Eliot. 
Hammond. 
Reed. 

Preston, 187, 188 
Faulkner, 10 
Lane, 2 
Parker, 3 
Reed, 2 
Warren, I 

Puffer, 188 
Brown. 

Raymon:), 188—190 
Balch, 2 
Blodgett, 10 
Danforth, 31 
Fiske, 10 
Graves, 4 
Kendall, 4 
Locke, 9 
Mallett, 15 
Munroe, 3 
Piper, 20 
Powers, 3 
Reed, 21 
Rich, 4 

Richardson, 11 
Smith, 11 
Wheeler, 28 
White, 18 
Whittemore, 14 
Winship, 19 
Young, 3 

Wm. Reed, 190—196 
Bacon, 57 
Bateman, 58 



292 



HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 



Bowman, 32 

Bridge, 33, 36, 37, 43, 82 

Brooks, 81 

Brown, 31, 34, 66 

Chandler, 68, 77 

Cutler, 46 

Danforth, 63 

Davis, 55 

Elson, 17 

Estabrook, 25, 48 

Fiske. 10, 22 

Gibson, 79 

Greenleaf, HI 

Grimes, 56 

Harrington, 59 

Hobart, 114_ 

Houghton, 51 

Ingalls, 29 

Jennison, 2 

Jewett, 105 

Johnson, 6, 18, 19. 60 

Kendall, 1, 7, 15, 20 

Lawrence, 44 

Leathers, 81 

Locke, 67 

Longley, 61 

Marrett, 69 

Meigs, 106 

Merriam, 74 

MuUiken, 110 

Munsal, 12 

Muzzy, 42, 73, 80, 109 

Nichols, 101 

Page, 38 

Paiker, 93 

Pierce, 3, 14 

Poulter, 23 

Prescott, 95, 96 

Raymond, 47 

Richardson, 13, 102 

Robinson, 16 

Rockwell, 2 

Russell, 27 

Sawyer, 21 

Simonds, 35 

Smith, 104 

Stone, 24, 25, 29, 30, 84 

Tidd, 28 

Wadsworth, 113 

Waite, 83, 85 

Walker, 8 

Webber, 100 

WeUington, 109 

Whittemore, 30 

Winn, 9 

Winship, 49 

Wyman, 5 

Timothy Reed, 196, 197 

Crowningshield, 16 

Ferren, 23 

Fowle, 13, 21 

French, 2 

Gardner, 6, 11 

Gates, 24 

Kendall, 1 

Lawrence, 20 

Munvoe, 3, 4 

Parker, 15 
■ I'hipps, 17 

Pratt, 8 

Russell, 9 



Thayer, 7 
Willard, 9 

swethern and other 
Reeds, 197, 198 
Clapp, 9 
Collens, 1, 6 
Emerson, 5 
Farrington, 8 
Flint, 3 
Fox, 4 
Frost, 2 
Harrington, 1 
Hartwell, 3 
Hersey, 16 
Hutchinson, 6 
Johnson, 11 
Murphy, 2 
Reed, 13 
Ross, 14 
Rugg, 12 
Stearns, 10 
Trask, 7 
Walker, 13 " 
Wellington, 2, 5 
Wyman, 17 

Rhodes, 281 
Johnson. 
Taylor. 

Richardson, 198, 199 
Bodwell. 
Browne. 
Godfrey. 
Parker. 
Raymond, 3 
Reed, 1 
Richards, 2 
Wiseman. 

RoBBiNS, 199—202 
Barrett, 57 
Bl'dgett, 37 
Brazier, 1 
Butterfield, 17 
Chandler, 5 
Cutter, 32 
Foot, 15 
Harrington. 47 
Holbrook, 55 
Hutchinson, 19 
Jackson, 12 
Johnson, 12, 13 
Langdon, 49 
Lothrop, 55 
Mead, 20 
Mills, 15 
Patten, 14 
Prentice, 24, 36 
Russell, 11 
Simonds, 50 
Stone, 56 
Wadsworth, 22 
Williams, 26 
Winship, 33 
Wooten, 21 

Robinson, 202—206 
Ackley, 18 
Ames, 45 
Bacon, 4 



Brown. 
Chase. 
Cutler, 32 
Danforth. 
Davis, 34. 39 
Draper, 10 
Gair, 33 
Gammell, 30 
Gardner, 28 
Gilmor, 41 
Hadley, 13 
Hall, 34 
Harrington, 42 
Hosmer, 39 
Jennings, 26 
Jewett. 
Little. 
Reed, 16 

Simonds, 6, 23, 46 
Snow, 20 
Stevens, 46 
Tidd, 25 
Trask, 5 
Tufts, 36 
White, 27 
Wiggin. 

Russell, 206—211 
Belcher. 2 
Blood, 70 
Bond, 45 
Bradshaw, 1 
Bridge, 13 
Brooks, 7 
Cutler, 7 
Dodge, 48 
Eaton, 48 
Farwell, 79 
Goodnow, 58 
Harrington, 76 
Hubbard, 9 
Jones, 80 
Joyce, 85 
Lawrence, 5 
Locke, 31, 71, 81 
Merriam, 73 
Munroe, 28, 68 
Prentice, 1 
Rice, 10 
Smith, 82 
Sprague, 35 
Thayer, 79 
Wheeler, 37 
White, 85 
Whitney, 79 
Winship, 8, 16 
Wood, 78 

Saville, 211, 212 
Gould, 9 
Haraden, 1 
Leonard, 6 
Muzzey, 11 

S1MOND8, 212—218 
Angier, 66 
Bacon, 5 
Bailey, 94 
Ball, 93 
Bannon, 139 
Blake, 112 
Blodgett, 10, 12 



INDEX TO GENEALOGY. 



293 



Bowers, 26 
Bowman, 18, 23 
Bradbury, 65 
Brooks, 2i 
Browii, 2i), 60 
Childs, 81 
Crosby, 72, 76 
Cutler, 3U, 45 
Diamond, 67 
Estabrook, 115 
French, 90 
Gizeley, 78 
Grimes, 14 
Had ley, 100 
Hammond, 62 
Haywood, 1 
Heard, 93 
Hill, 4.), 63 
Holden, 109 
Johnnon, 61 
Jones, 111 
Knight, 19 
Locke, 59, 70 
Maxwell, 68 
Merriam, 31, 43 
Miller, 124 
Mixer, 29 
MuUiken, 92 
Munroe, 29 
Nichols, 103, 128 
Parker, 46 
Parks, 98 
Pierce, 47, 8^, OS 
Poultcr, 15 
Heed, 25 
Bobbins, 50 
Kobinson, 69, 128 
Kussell, 85 
Smith, 17, 30 
Spaulding, 73 
Stearns, 110 
Stone, 27 
Swan, 86 
Svvett, 134 
Tay, 33 
Tidd, 7 
Tufts, 41 
Viles, 52 

Walker, 11,95 _ 
Wellington, 13 
Winn, 74 
Wyman, 64 

Smith, 218—229 
Adams, 211 
Adams. 
Allen, 155 
Arenburg. 230 
Arnold, 229 
Bacon, 119, 126 
Baker. 

Barber, 87 

Barnard. 27 

Beers, 9 

Belcher, 139 

Blodgett, 140, 156 

Bowman, 88 

Bracket, 197 

Brooks, 153 

15rown, 33. 40, 224 

Bryant, 232 

Burridge, 28 
95 



Child, 177, 204 209 

Clark, 220, 240, 241 

Comee, 20 

Cooper, 214 

Cormic. 

Cory, 132 

(Rowley, 183 

Cutter, l(i2 

Dakin, 129 

Davis, 37 

Diamond, 70 

Dudley. 157 

Earle, 221 

Eaton, 191, 193 

Farmer, 216 

Fillebrowri, 159 

Fiske, 1, 24, 113 

Ford, 244 

Foster, 173 

Francis, 40 

Gale, 39 

George, 239 

Goddard, 213 

Green. 1, 20, 64 

Hall, 96, 228 

Hammond, 178 

Hanscomb, 211 

Harrington, 78 

Hastings, 152 

Holbrook, 2 

Hopkins, 1,39 

Hosmer, 8 

Houghton, 225 

lies, 92 

Ingoldsby, 66 

Ireland, 215 

Johnson, 192 

Knapp, 5, 199 

Kiieeland, 233 

Lane, 1 

Langdon, 135 

Lawrence, 62, 84, 164 

Lee, 98 

Leonard, 79 

Livermore, 168 

Locke, 1, 3, 196 

Marrett, 113 

Matthews, 125 

Mead, 29 

Meers, 231 

Melvin, 222 

Mescrve, 5 

Munroe, 99, 109, 138 

Muzzey, 113 

Parker, 41, 188 

Penny, 90 

Phelps, 150 

Pierce, 93, 94, 110, 124, 

148 
Poor, 161 
Porter, 219 
Raymond, 47 
Reed, 182, 247 
Reeves, 9 
Richards, 19 
Richardson, 58 
Rogers. 201 
Russell, 161, 184 
Sanderson, 103 
^^awyer. 226 
Smith. 65, 110 
Snow, 101, 217 



Stearns, 95, 96 

Sioiie, 60 

Stralton, 11. 55 

Sullivan, 103 

Taylor, 103 

Tidd, 10, 03 

Tileston, 134 

Turner, 172 

Tuttle, 175, 179 

Underwood, 01, 131, 149, 

174 
Ward, 52 
WcUiimton, 33, 34, 69, 

77, 169, 205 
Whittiiin, 227 
Winship, 140 
Wood, 112, 123 
Woods. 
Wyman, 53, 151, 171 

Spaulding, 229 
Buttertield, I 
Currier, 3 
Palfrey, 4 
Saville, 6 

Staples, 230 
Shipping. 

Isaac Stearns, 230, 231 
Beers, 5 
Cummings, 30 
Cutler. 11 
Esty, 21 
Freeman, 3 
Hartwell, 14 
Lawrence, 29 
Learned, 2 
Manning, 8 
Morse, 9 
Powers, 26 
Stone, 6 
Talbot, 22 
Temple, 27 
Wheeler, 5, 10, 25 
Whittemore, 31 

Phinehas Steaens, 231, 

232 
Brown. 
Child, 10 
Hastings, 2 
Phinney, 4, 5 
Wellington, 1, 9 
Wyeth,"7 

Charles Stearns, 232, 
233 
Adams, 38 
Bigelow, 14, 53 
Blndgett, 4J) 
Boynton, 55 
F rooks, 42 
Guild, 28 
Fiske, 35 
Fhgg, 45 
Frost, 17 
Gibson, 1 
Gove, 43 
Gra-e, 58 
Hadley, 49 
Ilailhan, 39 



294 



IIISTOllY OF LEXINGTON. 



Harrington, 20 
Hutchinson, 8 
Lawrence, 4 
Norcross, 4 
Parker, o3, 41 
Piper, o4 
Rawson, 57 
Seser, 26 
Shattuck, 13 
Smith, 24, 25, 27 
Train e, 7 
Varnuin, 46 
Viles. 52 
Webber, 51 
Wellington, 50 
Wilson, 44 
Winstiip, 32 

Stetson, 234 
Adams. 
Biewster. 
C)ok. 
Elliott, 3 
Grilling, 7 
Merriam, 1 
Whitcher, 4 

Stevens, 234 
Davis. 
Elwell. 
Goodrich. 
Pierce. 
Robinson. 

Stone, 235-2''9 
Adams, 28, 46 
Barrett. 79 
Bass, 76 
Bent, 49, 50 
Blodgett, 42 
Bowman. 17i 34 
Brown, 39 
Buckman, 77 
Butteifield, 36 
Child, 82 
Converse, 15 
Cutler, 23,29,41,66 
Earle, 67 
Harrington, 74 
Hildreth. 8 
Jones, 14 
Kejes, 52 
Lawrence, 30 
Merriam, 7 
Merry, 19 
Mulliken, 74 
Munroe, 71 
Moyes, 48 
Parker, 35 
Parkiiurst, 40 
Potter, 6 
Reed, 26, 31, 33 
Sampson, 68 
Shattuck, 54 
Shepard, 16 
Smith, 78 
Stearns, 5 
Stevens, 45 

Stone, 44, 46, 47, 56, 59 
"Underwood, 67 
Wait, 18 
Warren, 43 



Wellington, 62. 63, 64 


Hill. 


Whitteinore, 65 


Kent. 




Poor. ^ 


Stowe, 239, 240 




Hartness, 2 


Tufts, 247 


Thomas, 1 


Adams, 1 




Bowman, 12 


Sumner, 240 


B ickman. 


Badger. 


Mead, 6 


Brown. 


Putnam. 


Clement. 


Rochester, 5 


Foster. 




Harris. 


Turner, 248 


Johnson. 


Brewster. 


Southack. 


Brown, 4 


Tilton. 


Diury. 


Waldron. 


French. 




Garner. 


Thorning, 240 


Gould, 1 


Guild. 


Hatch. 


Phillips. 


Hudson. 


Whitney. 


James. 


Wood. 


Mor^e. 




Nicoll, 7 


TiDD, 240-215 


Pierce, 1 


Adams, 39 


Sampson, 8 


Blodget', 9 


Smith, 2 


Bridge, 13 


AVhiton, 3 


Carter, 8 




Chandler, 47 


Tuttle. 248, 219 


Cottmg, S3 


Burnham. 


Cutler, 15 


G.gswell. 


Elliott, 51 


Dexter, 5 


Fitch, 22 


Hastings, 17 


Flagg, 14 


Johnson, 15 


Ha>ting, 28 


Lord, 6 


Haywanl, 37 


Munroe, 3 


Jennison, 18 


Macintosh, 18 


Joslin, 21 


Muzzey, 16 


Kendall, 1 


Parker, 13 


Marrett, 31 


Smith, 1, 3 


Munroe, 19, 30 


Viles, 3 


Nurse, 52 




Reed, 16, 23 


Tyler, 281, 282 


Simonds, 5, 32 


Holden. 


Smith, 3, 26 


Lee, 3 


Stparns, 48 


Savage, 1 


Sticknev, U 


Stevens, 1 


Trask, 52 


Thomas. 


Watson, 53 




Wood, 2 


Underwood, 249—252 




Baker, 24 


To-WER, 245 


Bull, 9 


Davis. 


Fillebrown, 64 




Gibson, 8 


Trask, 245—247 


Harrington, 44 


Bemis, 17 


Hewes, 19 


Benney, 16 


Holland, 20 


Fiske, 19 


Lawrence, 39 


Green, 3 


Mason, 43 


Harrington, 9 


Munroe, 37 


Hill, 2 


Ong, 6 


Humble, 11 


Palmer, 10 


Morris, 7 


Shattuck, 11 


Reed, 15 


Smith, 24, 47, 48 


Robinson, 6 


Stone, 25 


Stearns, 8 


Tufts, 58 


Tufts, 14 




Wood, 19 


Viles, 252, 253 




Barnard, 2 


Tucker, 246, 247 


Bemis, 1 


Dana. 


Bowman, 8 



INDEX TO GENEALOGY. 



295 



Butters, 26 
Cull, 4 
Coburn, 16 
Dix, 10 
Dudley, 19 
Fessenden, 20 
Hagar, 6 
Hartweli, 20 
Mrad, 14 
Nelson, 23, 28 
Reed, 22 
Robinson, 38 
Simonds, 15 
Smith, 24 
Stiles, 34 
Stimson, 39 
Teel, 21 
Tcunev, 31 
Tidd, 29 
W^ird, 32 
AVarreii, 11 
Wiitson, .J. 7 
AVilson, 13 

RoGKii. Wellington, 253, 
2.58 
Abbott, 43 
Ball, 41 
Risbee, 87 
Rlodjjett, 76 
Rond, 7, 12 
Boswoith, 91 
Riidge, 88 
R:own,10, 13 
C loledge, 3, 56 
Colling, 44 
Danforth, 64 
Dix, 24 
Duville, 74 
Fay, 9 

Fessenden, 10 
Hastings, 50, 51, 87, 90 
Hill, 28 
Ilolton, 90 
Jacobs, 53, 55 
Kent, 63, 66 
Law, oS 
Livcrmore, 6 
Locke, 46 
Maddoek, 3 
Moore, 95 
MuUiken, 93 
Mnnroe. 23 
Tsichols, 78 
Page, 32 
Peaslee, 84 
Phelps, 10 
Ray, 89 
Richards, 1 
Robinson, 90 
Sherman, 14 
Simonds. lOD 
Small, 73 
Smith, 19, 40, 94 
Snow, 75 

Stearns, 30, 38, 57, 82 
Stone, 17, 24 
Straight, 2 
Sweetman, 5 
Tavlor. 69 
T.-el, 92 
Whitney, 10 



"Whittemore, 8 

Winship, 87 
Yates, 59 

WiLLi.vM Wellington, 
258, 259 
Ames, 21 
Bowman, 14 
Bryant, 30, 31 
C.irroll, 29 
Carv, 25 
Child, 9 
Clarke, 8 
Cope, 17 
Fiske, 2 
Hastings, 32 
Holbrook, 16 
Hudson, 22 
Kidder, 28 
Kimball, 12 
Lawrenre, 4, 5 
Jkliles, 10 
Parker, 32 
Pierce. 11, 20 
Stearns 3, 18 
Stone, 10 
Whitney, 1 

Wrstcott, 260 
Read. 

White, 201, 261 
-Abbott, 12 
Ener, 16 

Harrington, 19, 24 
Loike, 10 
Mansfield, 8 
Raymond, 14 
Ward, 11 

Whitman, 261, 262 
Byram. 
Gary. 
Conant. 
Fairfield, 15 
Richards. 
Snow, 1 
Trowtiridge, 3 
Viuing. 

Whitmore, 202—264 
Ayres, 1 
Blake, 1,2 
Cady, 27 
Carter, 8 
Gardner, 5 
Harty, 1 
Kendall, 11 
Locke, 7 
Lovejoy, 29 
Markham, 2 
Page, 13 
Parke, 1 
Thompson, 9 
Townsend, 31 
Van Rensselaer, 5 
Waters, 10 
Wilcox, 6 

Whitney, 264 
Parker, 4 
Winship, 5 



Whittemore, 261—260 
Brown, 8 
Dunton, 7 
Flagg, 3 
French, 1 
Harrington, 7 
Hoar, 3 
ftLason. 
Rand. 
Keed, 10 
Rice, 7 

Williams, 266 
Grenuell, 1 
Squire, 5 

Willis, 277 
Ames. 
Dean. 
Hunt. 
Kingsly. 
I'alnier. 
Webster. 
Whitman. 

WtLsoN, 206, 207 
Duukley. 

Winship, 267—274 

■Abbott, 109 
Adams, 147 
Birsham, 9 
Bowers, 58 
Brooks, 166 
Chamberlain, 136 
Childs, 98 
Coggen, 119 
Cralts, 56 
Crosby, 57 
Cutler, 17, 33, 35 
Daley, 168 
Dixon, 13 
Estabronk, 36 
Fessenden, 22, 79 
Fiske, 127, 136 
Francis, 103 
Frost, 132, 135 
Grant, 63 
Hadley. 82 
Hagar, 170 

Harrington, 12,00, 117 
Ilastinus, 40 
Hill, 120 
Holbrook, 169 
.Tohnson, 107, 134 
Kendall, 5 
Laughton, 62 
Learned, 77 
Locke, 121 
Loring, 57 
Manning, 15, 29 
IMarble, 83 
Marion, 95 
Merriam, 112 
Phillips, 52 
Pierce, 18 
Powers, 11 
Raymond, 53 
Reed, 156, 157 
Roijers, 5 
Russell, 10, 16 
Smith, 153 



296 



HISTORY or LEXINGTON. 



Stone, 152 
Walker, 133 
"Wellington, 155 
Whitney. 44 
Wyeth, 20 
Winter, 274, 275 
Harrington, 8i?, 

Wright, 275 
Estabrook. 
Farmer. 
Hayward. 
Kendall. 
Kenniston. 



Reed. 
Kice. 

Wyman, 275—277 
Bacon, 13 
Brown, 11 
Center, 29 
Crapo, 26 
Davenport, 16 
Gardner, 22 
Harrington. 
Hancock, 11 
Johnson, 9, 31 



Locke, 20 
Mason. 
Nutt. 
Pierce, 1 
Porter, 18 
Puffer, 35 
Putnam, 9 
Reed, 19 

Richardson, 5, 10, 14 
Robbins. 
Simonds, 18 
Streeter, 37 
Winn, 8 



'IP 



